Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[frustratedearthmother]

I bet they're a bit more difficult if they aren't pastured though. They don't go entertain themselves!

True!

 

[sumi]

FEM, I didn't know you had that many goats and pigs!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

@sumi - yep! We're a regular little overstocked farm, lol!

I was out this morning and of course Big Daddy was back where he wasn't supposed to be but he's such a clown that I just had to laugh at him. I was carrying out potatoes for the pigs this morning and his big ol' lard butt was following me in anticipation. If this was any other pig I'd probably be running for my life - but not him. When I finally made it to the area where he's SUPPOSED to be I started tossing potatoes to the pigs that are in the right place. He's standing right beside me huffing a little like "hey, don't forget me." Not being pushy or demanding - just waiting his turn. Finally I get a potato ready to toss to him and he's literally standing there with his mouth open - waiting! I popped a potato in his mouth and he scarfed it up. We did that until he'd had about a half-dozen good sized 'taters. Every one he waited for - just like the super piggy gentleman that he is.

I did finally get the extra long insulators so as soon as I can I'll replace them and hopefully stop his pen shuffling shenanigans.

 

[Mini Horses]

I feel a lot better knowing how many goats FEM has...makes me think I'm ok NOT really ok
BUT I only have 12 adults. 11 does & 1 buck. Then nine kids from this year (used control) and one buckling I bought. So 22
head count.

Plan to breed the 11 does this year....simply to sell kids. Of that the "plan" is to train 3 of those adults to milk and sell them, leaving 8.
Sounds reasonable, right?

This years 10 -- bought a buckling to use for breeding. Nine kids gave me 5 does & 4 bucks. Bucks will leave. Doe kids will grow out...…..breed and sell. I have pasture for all, need to keep an income for the farm and it pays for most of their feed.

GOAT MATH is really bad. It sounds so good on paper!!!

They are generally so endearing that you feel you can't send them away (as in sales). If you don't raise kids &/or milk for use, they have no reason to be here. Some are just so "cute" they stay, some are excellent producers, some are both & you don't have time to bring them to their potential -- give it another year, we'll have more time . Soon you have collected a huge herd. It's not our fault we love them.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

It's not our fault we love them.

Amen, sistah!

 

[NH Homesteader]

I kinda like that Mimosa and Bellini aren't that friendly, I'm not that attached to them or their kids! Lol! I have 11 total right now. Gotta get down to 5 by winter.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Yep - much easier to move the ones you're not attached to.

I'm hoping that our rainfall doesn't get out of hand so they can actually start baling hay in a few weeks. Right now - where we are - we've probably had close to two inches. It's come very slowly over the last couple of days and almost all of it has soaked into the ground. Very few standing puddles. However - we've still got today and tomorrow of heavy rain in the forecast. So.....

 

[sumi]

I was out this morning and of course Big Daddy was back where he wasn't supposed to be but he's such a clown that I just had to laugh at him. I was carrying out potatoes for the pigs this morning and his big ol' lard butt was following me in anticipation. If this was any other pig I'd probably be running for my life - but not him. When I finally made it to the area where he's SUPPOSED to be I started tossing potatoes to the pigs that are in the right place. He's standing right beside me huffing a little like "hey, don't forget me." Not being pushy or demanding - just waiting his turn. Finally I get a potato ready to toss to him and he's literally standing there with his mouth open - waiting! I popped a potato in his mouth and he scarfed it up. We did that until he'd had about a half-dozen good sized 'taters. Every one he waited for - just like the super piggy gentleman that he is.

He sounds adorable!

 

[frustratedearthmother]

For a big ol' sharp-tusked bucket o'lard he's pretty cool!

 

[BarredBuff]

Yep - much easier to move the ones you're not attached to.

I'm hoping that our rainfall doesn't get out of hand so they can actually start baling hay in a few weeks. Right now - where we are - we've probably had close to two inches. It's come very slowly over the last couple of days and almost all of it has soaked into the ground. Very few standing puddles. However - we've still got today and tomorrow of heavy rain in the forecast. So.....

You're probably like us. It's either feast or famine. Lots of rain or none.