(Christmas Cocoa checking out the camera)How many kids do we have now? We had a total of 14 goat babies this year. 3 are already at new homes being spoiled and the bucklings and a couple of doelings will be going to their new home when they are weaned.
Do they get stepped on or mixed up in with the other goats? The mom and her babies are kept by themselves for a few days. The mom goats and their babies are kept in a pen/pasture area by themselves. The other goats are in pens next to them and can see the babies but not get in with them. Each mom knows her own baby if one that isn't hers should try to nurse she just steps aside and nudges the baby away. Sonya's buckling looks almost identical to DiDi's so I sometimes have a hard time telling them apart. The moms can in an instant. All the moms are careful with all the babies. They don't step on them or try to hurt them. All the babies play together and even sleep together in a big pile. Tiny Tina, her mom Baby along with Mandy and Christmas Cocoa are in their own pen since they are so much smaller.
How are the kids doing? They are doing great! They are running, jumping, climbing, chasing each other. All are healthy, happy and spoiled!
Why did you name a chicken Cheese? I had a hen that hatched out a chick and a duckling. She raised the duckling like it was a chick. The duckling and chick thought they were sisters and went everywhere together. They were inseparable. They just seemed so normal together... kinda like cheese and crackers. So I named the duckling Quackers and the chick Cheese. Yeah, I am strange like that. LOL
Do you ever mix up which kid is which? Yes! Its easy to tell Diva's apart. Sunshine and Leo are huge now. Sammi only has 2 now since I sold one of her girls and its easy telling Frosty from Dawn. Sonya's girl Faith looks almost like one of Sammi's Dawn so I have to look close. And Sonya's Marvel looks exactly like DiDi's Salem so I really really have to look close. Bridie's Snowy Grace is easy to recognise as is Christmas Cocoa and Tiny Tina.
Do the moms discipline them? Yes, they actually do. If you remember the photos of Snowy Grace running from her mom. Bridie really did chase her down and nudge her into the stall to lay down. She didn't leave Snowy Grace alone until she was laying down. The moms will speak to the kids in a certain tone if they are doing something the mom doesn't like and the kid will stop and come stand by mom. The moms use their head to nudge the baby if its doing something its not suppose to and the kid will stop. The mom goats teach their kids really well.
Do you have a kid minding center to give the moms a break. With all the moms together in a area they get lots of breaks. All the kids will snuggle together for nap time and the moms will stand around the hay rack eating and talking.
Think that has all the questions answered. If I forgot any just ask me again. You know I am getting old and forgetful!
22 comments:
Hi Peggy....How nice to see my little godkid is doing so well! Will CC be going to a new home? sniff sniff Wish it could be mine! ...Debbie
Hopefully, we'll have our first kids mid-May. We'e novices and scared about being inexperienced and we're really scared about how we'll get so attached to babies, that we won't part with any of 'em.
How fascinating! It's like story time on the Homestead!
The "mom-ness" of the mom goats with their kids is always amazing to me - that they discipline them, get them where they want them to go, put them down for a nap. Really cool. Moms are moms, no matter the kind of animal!
You have explained all of this very well. Cows do the same thing.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/
I love Christmas Cocoa's "war paint"! His ears look like an extension of his markings! Who knew goats were socialists and raised their children communally?? LOL
I always wondered how that worked with so many goats! I always get mine from a rancher who doesn't have time to care for bummers, so not only are they on death's door (and a few have been resurrected from beyond!) but I haven't had any of my own as my only two buckys were snacks for lions :(
As soon as the firewood is outta the barn, I can make some room...and then I guess I'll be finding a new buck, maybe summertime. Fancy and Aunt Bea will turn two next month and have the sweetest dispositions, so I think they will make good mommas...Matilda, I 'm thinking besides being overweight, her disposition...well...it's sucks!
Hi Peggy, Since I'm such a rookie when it comes to goats, I do have a couple of questions.
-Where are the Papa Goats? Do they not have anything to do with 'their' babies?
-How long do goats live????
Thanks so much for all of your answers.
Hugs,
Betsy
Thank you for sharing all your knowledge.
Have a Great Friday!
Roberta Anne
Peggy,
What a lovely break from all that has been going on here today. I had to check the calendar to see if it was Friday the 13th. LOL It's been a nightmare. I'm waiting for the day to end and yes, I know I shouldn't wish time away but this is one day I NEVER want to relive, except the part of reading your delightful post about your kids.
Take care, my friend and thanks for the love and support.
Blessings,
Mary
Ive got a question. Where are the daddies of these precious babies? Tiny Tina looks like a munchkin. Is she as soft as she looks? Your baby goats mind better then a lot of human kids I know. I love to check in each day to see what you and your "kids" are doing
Thanks for all the answers! I just adore little Tiny Tina.
They are all so cute though, no wonder you love them so.
Thats all so neat:) Thanks for taking the time to answer questions. My soaps arrived yesterday and the smell delicious. I want to eat them.
Very interesting info Peggy!! I think you are a goat whisperer!!!
So very interesting Peggy. Haven't heard from you in a while; are you finally able to take it a little easy? Did you decide on the no pot coffee maker for your husband yet? I guarantee it's spillproof! They should hire me to do commercials!
That was great...I'm learning so much!
A nice explanation of kid observation by someone who has spent a lot of time watching her kids and enjoying them.
Congrats! You have just received the Crystal Cow Award from Harvest Moon Homestead For the February Blog of the month.
How fun it must be around your place.
Inquiring minds wanted to know so thank you for answering all those questions sis! lol I'm learning so much about goats through you and I'm loving it...think I should get myself a few too??? hehe Hope your weekend was a good one, sis. Love you! xoxoxo
That was pretty interesting and I am super IMPRESSED with how you tell them all apart, even when it is hard. The kids are so cute! Have a great week!
Hi Peggy, I love all of your tales about the mama goats and her kids..it is funny how the mom knows her baby and watches out so closely for them.
In the nursery when we would carry a baby to it's mom to breastfeed,the baby is able to smell their mom's milk 50 feet away... amazing!!
I hope you and the animals are staying warm.. Hugs, Baba
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