Nope not ME!

The past couple of days have gone smoothly despite the challenges we have faced. Yesterday was a test of wills. Not mine and Lon's, but of goats and humans. We had separated Sugar (mom) and Glory (baby) the day before. In an effort to get her on a bottle. We have tried several times to get her to take one. NOPE is all she has to say on the subject. Bringing her to the house to get her to eat was fruitless. Thinking if she can't see and smell mom maybe she would be more willing. After she had been 24 hours without eating, of her own choice. We decided the stress on her and us was not worth it. Before the today was out she was back with mom.

I guess you could say her will was stronger than mine. But in placing her back on mom to nurse it will ease up the milking chores for us for now. As I am afraid she learned her stubborn streak from her mom, who has been a dancing goat on the milk stand. All in all I think it will be a win/win situation for all involved. We decided the two would be our experiment pair between the two styles of raising babies in the world of goats. We had read that you needed to remove them from their moms in order to raise kids that were people friendly. There are others who believe it is a necessary thing in order to keep diseases out of their herd. Before we started raising goats we have always believe to let nature take it course in animals. We had also been told that if you spend time with them, even if they are raised by the moms they will be friendly. Time will be the judge and tell us which of the beliefs is true. I suppose it is best to do what is right for your herd and falls in line with your beliefs. Instead of being persuaded by what others are or are not doing.

Lon did all the evening chores last night. Giving me my first free evening in almost 4 weeks. I have been down at the barn every day and night since the babies were born. It was nice to be able to just focus on dinner, which we were able to eat before 8pm! A rare thing of lately, but definitely something that needs to change. We didn't quite know what to do with the extra free time before bed ~ it's been so rare. Usually we fall into bed right after dinner and dishes after a long day. By 9pm we were tucked in the bed for a good night's sleep under the sound of rain on the roof.

Watching nature take care of it's own,

Deborah