So we decided to bring some Goats to the farm. I have wanted to have some livestock for sometime and getting this property is an avenue to pursue that. This page is the start to what we are doing with them and learning about them. There is a certain amount of work that goes into caring for Goats but so far we are able to keep up with them.
Setting up the Goat Pen
Here is the start of it all, getting the pen ready. The fence posts were already set in the ground from a previous owner. They were not all plumb and some were twisted so I did the best I could as an amateur carpenter to make things work. We had to clean and do some repairs to the stalls as well. It is still a work in progress but I plan to have it done before winter.
The Goats Arrive
After getting things prepped in the Barn and gathering some supplies, like feeders and water troughs we were able to get the goats and bring them home. The person we got them from sold us a couple of bales of hay to get started with and recommended some oats and mineral supplement powder to get.
After getting home they were not too sure they wanted to get out of the carrier they were in. I finally had to get them at the collar and tug a bit to get one of them out. Cody the white one I just picked him up and carried him into the pen. Then I realized that we had not closed the door on the carrier and Wyatt (the bigger Oberhasli) popped out looking for an escape path. I had the truck and trailer parked in such a way as to limit a clear path except into the pen. We did a little herding with him and he finally joined the others in the pen.
It is kind of funny how they bond and become attached to each other. When the first one went into the pen they all got upset about being separated, they were really vocal. After all of them were in the pen together they stopped being so vocal. It took several days to get them to come up to us. The Oberhasli are still not allowing us to touch them, although they will take treats from our hands. Cody the white Sable/Saanen is very friendly and he has also become the leader/boss of the group.
Time to Venture Out
They have been at the farm and in their pen for about 2 weeks now and it is time to let them see some more of the farm. We decided to let them venture out and nibble on some weeds in the main area. If they get spooked or they think I am putting some hay in the feeder back in the barn they come running in, it is quite funny. If they run in while I am still out in the field I will call Cody and he will come back out with the other 2 following right behind. If they are further out and do not notice me go into the barn or acknowledge I am calling them in I get out the scoop from the grain bag and shake it with some grain in it and they come running. I will then give them a little bit of grain as a reward. Funny guys.
Another Day in the pasture area
Been letting them out everyday now to cruise through the weeds to eat. As I was working around the property they like to stay close sometimes and in the process they found the orchard and started chewing on the trees, I had to herd them out of there. I have not had a chance to put the fence up to protect it yet. I really need some professional help with the fence as it is near to 300′ across with a gate. But it seems I can not get anyone to come out before I die of old age. Several won’t even call back. May have to try it on my own and hope my other obligations do not suffer in the process and my old body does not give out. The trick is going to be the post holes, I need a powered Auger to get those done and do not have one, will have to rent one.
The other day I changed their collars out for bigger ones. Cody was easy to do, Wyatt was a little harder and Doc was not having it. I had to chase him down and carry him out to the milking stand where we can secure him while I change it. Cody still has the red collar. Wyatt still has a blue collar. We changed Doc to a purple one from the pink, thought it was more appropriate. My brother had to hold the snack bin up as the other goats were trying to steal it while one was on the stand. Cody being an aggressive type is the worst, the other two are easy to back off as they do not want to be touched yet.
I had to go get a good supply of hay to get us by for what I thought would be the majority of the winter and here is what I came up with.
