Cute pictures

Robin, Tulip, Daisy and Baby Belle

Randolph

Brigitt's kids - Nelson and Owen

More kids due today - after this weekend we are done with kidding except for Melanie at the end of June (that was an accident).

New Friends - Arl's Worldview

Ar again, Forgot I wanted to tell you about our new friend ( that is since February). His name is Forrest. Forrest is a seven year old human, who loves goats. His mom, Povy, has been bringing him up here to visit on Saturdays.

Forrest has learned to milk Daisy (she is very patient). And he and Lars really talk a lot.

Povy is a photographer and has taken lots of pictures, so we're putting some up here. It's fun having them visit.

Later, Ar ()

Arlo's Worldview

Hi it's Arlo again. Honestly I'm not doing a snow dance! It snowed all day Friday and Saturday morning - the really wet heavy stuff - about a foot. Mom Lori had to knock snow off the chicken netting over the coops FIVE times. She says this netting is better than the chicken wire, as it stretches, although the coop needs a few repairs.
Then one of Iceni's triplets got hypothermia. I guess he didn't get started with enough milk and then it got cold and wet. So he was in the house for a couple of days - seems to be doing fine now. He is eating from Iceni better now, so he'll probably be staying outside. His name is Christopher.
I'm going back to bed - it snowed another 4" last night - yuck mud!

Later! Ar ()

Arlo

Arlo's Worldview

Yawnnn..... this is Arlo.
I'm still tired from yesterday. Went with Mom Lori to her college for the Earth Day events (remember I spent my first two weeks of life there), so it was fun going back to see everyone. At first I was a bit nervous since we had to walk across this big pasture and there weren't any other goats. Finally when we got closer to the building I could see that there were people, so I wanted to run towards them!
We were there about 4 hours standing around talking to people about the advantages of goats for a local sustainable food supply. Everyone loves to have their picture taken with me :)
I sampled some of Mom Lori's lunch - it was mac and cheese from Noodles. YUCK! It's made with COW cheese. The grass there isn't very tasty either. I nibbled on some dry leaves, tried for some red tulips (boy those really looked good - too bad Mom Lori wouldn't let me near them).
The only thing I don't like is jumping into the car - so Mom Lori always has to get help to lift me in. It was a fun day - but I was tired. Never got to lye down all day.
When we got home, Mom Lori had to rush off and help her friend Emily with Marika's kidding. It was Marika's first time and Emily was nervous. Marika is a nice big black and white nubian, which is a good thing cause she had FOUR kids!! But darn they were all bucks. Emily might end up bottle feeding one or two and Mom Lori said that Iona has lots of extra milk if she needs.
So when Mom Lori gets back from Emily's house - SURPRISE! Iceni had triplets - she wasn't due until Saturday. One little guy had managed to wander half way down the corral and was being watched over by Fiona ( you know - the scary sheep). So many babies (hit forehead with my hoof) not sure what I'm going to do with all of them - you know my job is to be the uncle.

So Mom Lori had to rearrange all of us for sleeping last night cause of all the new kids. So I didn't sleep very well; kids making noises and I wasn't in my usual stall - had to sleep with DARBY!

Later
The Ar ()

More kids

Iona had twin does yesterday afternoon. Finally some girls! She had them while I was at work, guess she didn't need my company. Iona has previously had two sets of twins, so she is experienced. Iona is the tall goat in the middle of the picture.

Mandy's worldview

Hi, I'm Mandy - you see me here doing my yoga stretches. I had my first kids last Friday evening. The other does and I are coordinating are labor to start at 7 pm, so that Mom Lori is almost done with chores and then can be around for moral support. We're trying to make it easy on her and not have kids in the middle of the night.
My labor lasted about 2 hours and I had two nice little bucks. I hear that my labor went well and there were no problems, but it was really scary. This is the first time I've had kids, but mom Lori and my goat mom Avalon were there, so I was ok. Also my new owner Maryanne (one of mom Lori's friends) was also there.
Everyone is doing well, but my boys keep running around and playing with the other kids. It makes me nervous when they don't stay right with me.

Brigitt's kids

Brigitt is very frustrated these days as her two adventurous sons are going through the fence to play with their dad - Lars. It's great fun to go over with the big guy.

It's Alive!

My new website is finally live. You can now order goat's milk soap from there.

http://www.westfarmgoats.com/

And more kids

Shannon had twin bucks born during chore time last night. I had already closed her up for the night, when I heard her start to yell. The funny thing was she didn't have the usual discharge, they just came. Although her behavior made me think it would happen sometime later in the night. She wasn't due until Friday, but was so heavy and full of milk, I expected her to kid early. I really was expecting triplets or large twins - it was neither. Just normal size kids.

I think the mothers try to wait until I'm there for moral support. Shannon didn't need help, but I kept checking in on her as I finished chores.

And more new life

Last night at the end of chores as I was closing up the barn, I heard baby kitten voices. Midnight had her kittens nestled under the tool box in a nice cozy bed of straw. I kind of suspected that she had had them on Friday. She was very vocal that evening, was acting strangly - even let me pet her slightly (not her normal thing).