Breeding Update

Yesterday, October 17th, I had to re-breed both Panzy and Ginger, as they were in heat again.  Or I should say in heat for real, I assume.  This is the first time I've had false heats happen, but I've heard of it so I wasn't completely surprised.  Apparently, some does have a false heat about 5 days before the real thing.  Both of these does appeared to be in heat on October 11th, and again on October 17th.  Hopefully now they are bred, and due around March 11.

Waiting for Kids Again

Breeding has begun for spring 2014 kids!  This is always an exciting time.  Check the breeding schedule page for more info.

Dairy Products From Fresh Goat Milk!

We've had enough milk to experiment with more diary products this spring. It's been great fun, and we're loving eating and cooking with my creations. Last year I did yogurt, kefir, chevre and caso blanko. This year, more yogurt, cultured buttermilk, feta and ricotta so far. Getting ready for mozarella, cream cheese, more types of yogurts, and hopefully before the year is over, cheddar cheese curds. Also have enough milk weighed and frozen for about 14 batches of soap. It's been busy and exciting around here!

Nigerian Dwarf Kids Available

My friend and fellow breeder has 6 doelings and 2 bucklings available mid July, when they're weaned.  $100 for unregistered doelings, $200 to $250 registered doelings.  Not sure on buckling or wether prices.  Many blue eyes.  If interested, contact me using my contact button on the upper right hand side of this page and leave your phone number.  She doesn't go online, so contact will be by phone only.  I'll get your number to her so she can call you back.
Here are a few picks of her kids:

Spring 2013 Photos

Way to go, Starlight!

I waited until Starlight's triplets were 5 weeks old before beginning to separate them at night and milk her in the morning.  At 6 weeks fresh, she's SO VERY CLOSE to a quart per milking!  I am really thrilled with her production.  She's probably making more than half a gallon of milk per day at this point, considering I don't relieve her of every bit in the morning (after all, she has three hungry kids that are going to mob her when she gets off the milk stand).  Those kids are very efficient at emptying an udder, and nurse all day, so I'm sure they get more than a quart of milk from her during the day.  She is a great doe, and I'm so glad to have her!

This is really not the best udder shot, but it's the only one I have from this freshening that's on the computer for me to use.  This is Starlight's udder at 5 weeks fresh, 9 hours bagged.  Hope to add some more soon.

Pics of North Forest Farm Spice

This is Spice.  He was named by his new owners, who he gets to meet in a few weeks.  He had a bout with diarrhea, I think from getting so much of his mom's milk.  He's a little piggy!  I had him in the house so I could wash him up and get him dry again.  I was also actually hoping he'd poo on the floor so I could get a sample to do a fecal on him.  I wanted to make sure there was nothing else going on.  Of course, when you want a goat to poo on the floor, he won't! ;)  Any way, after a few days of probios he was fine.  He is such a cutie!  Very unique in his coloring too.  I'm not trying to breed for color, but I still like seeing all the colors that show up.  He's a chamoise, but it's hard to spot through all the white.  I just love his big, dark eyes!