How it all started.....

My two oldest daughters asked their dad if they could take meatgoats in 4-H. This is the man who told me soon after we were married that I could bring home all the animals I wanted to the farm as long as I didn't bring home any goats. He loves his dog, cattle, and horses.

Instead of directly saying "no", he told them to figure a breakeven on them, and if they did that he would support them. Let's just say he was surprised to come home and see the girl's "breakeven". They had spent the day hounding the managers at tractor supply and coop to get all their info. He is a man of his word, so two female goats came to live on the James farm.

Now these goats weren't supposed to be bred, but as it happens sometimes, one kidded out just before fair, and she was so cute I just lost my mind and we purchased another 26 does. Of course I justified my purchase as being necessary for me to be a good Kansas Agriculture Extension agent. In Kansas we were getting several questions regarding meatgoats, and I figured if I raised them myself I would become more knowledgable about the process and be of more help to others. I think my husband knew I just liked them though.

We have continued to expand, and we now own 60 does, 3 billies. I am in the process of kidding out 50 of the does now. You would think I would know better than to have them due in January, but unfortunately I didn't pay enough attention to the calendar when I placed the billies in with the does.

Sunday, January 31, 2010

50 babies have arrived

Well over a period of 5 days, 49 babies were born. Crazy! Yesterday, a doe had a single which brought the total to 50! What were we thinking!

I have turned the group out of their small pens into a larger pen. They are romping round, and then usually all pile up for a long nap. Drives their mom's crazy trying to keep track of all the little guys.

Only problems I am dealing with are two babies got too cold. One due to the fact it's mother decided to kick it out and not feed it. It was a triplet, and sometimes when the weather gets rough, they do decide to only take care of what they think they can raise. Anyway, he is now in the process of being grafted onto a doe with only a single. It is going pretty well.

The other little guy just didn't handle the weather to well. She is looking better today, and I have been keeping her in a heated room in the barn and just taking her back and forth to her mom. Hopefully she will get better. Still have 23 does to go, but should be a little more spread out.
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5 comments:

  1. Jeremy V.February 1, 2010 at 7:45 PM

    Keep the pics coming! We like seeing all the joy of raising kids ;0)...maybe we will have some soon.
    Peace, Jeremy and Jill

    ReplyDelete
  2. JonieFebruary 3, 2010 at 1:26 PM

    Will do.

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  3. JaclynFebruary 4, 2010 at 6:51 AM

    WOW! Sounds like fun! I can't wait til we can get time to bring Jadyn & Isabelle to see them. Jadyn is going going to love it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jeremy V.February 9, 2010 at 7:03 PM

    We need updates! In your spare time....Jill

    ReplyDelete
  5. JonieFebruary 12, 2010 at 6:44 PM

    We updated!

    ReplyDelete

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