A new edition

My husband built my brand new pen and I helped this week as my christmas gift.  I have a very large area for my boys.  However they still huddle in the very small pen and when it gets dark, they do no go exploring in thier new pen.  I also had the pleasure of visiting triple t ranch.  I was able to see a fainting goat in person.  They seem to be the size of a labrador retriever.  Some are smaller, some are bigger.  I walked away thinking, way to big!  But then I gazed upon a beautiful baby doe.  She was so stunning and caught my eye.  Big ice blue eyes and caramel fur.  Sweet pretty little face.  She also has nice muscle tone and seems to be built well!  So I grabbed her!  Totally unplanned, but so very cute.  I got good feedback from my local goat friends.  Her name is Faint Hearted Ranch Cinnamon.  My mom sent a deposit (as a christmas gift) and she will be available after March 1st.  She was born December 20th 2011.  I am really excited.  She will probably be the size of our lab but I have so much room now!  Yay for me.  

Coming to an end for the 2011 year

I have been so excited to have my 2 boys.  I learned alot and am anxious to add 1-2 more.  I am especially excited to invest in a mini silky fainting doe.  My new hobby came along at just the right time and will be such an exciting adventure to come!.  Stay tuned for the 2012 year which is sure to bring lots of fun times!!!

Being in the "KNOW" with goats

When I thought of getting goats, I researched them alot!  Not enough though to know that they can be so fragile.  I have experienced multiple sickness, a disease scare and continue to find that this is not easy.  Everyday I check poop, how they pee, how they breath, I obsess over every movement, every breath when I probably shouldnt.  I do endless amounts of research everyday and have spent over $1000 on vet bills and OTC meds since august of 2011.  I give shots, drench with vitamins, trim hooves, bath goats and feel like a nurse.  These boys are my babies and those who know me, know that I am ultra resposible with the health of my boys.  I have learned so much from the past few months that no "brand new" goat owner should have to go through in such a short time.  I will continue to rely on those around me who are willing to share the info necessary that will keep my boys healthy.  I will continue to research sickness and disease and will hope that "ALL" necessary information will be communicated by various organizations because knowledge is power.  I would hope that any organizations that I am a part of will understand my position and release the necessary info that will contribute to my boys in a healthy way.

A great goatie day.....

The boys lounged in the sun again and got to meet my 1 year old niece mykayla.  Finnegan was not interested, but mo tried for a sniff until she grabbed his nose!  It was so cute.  I have the next 2 weeks off so the goaties are getting spoiled!  New pen with room to run and a pool alarm!  Merry Christmas Goaties!

Its raining, its pouring, the old man is snoring....

Its raining, and very cold.  I went to the feed store today as I was on my lunch from work.  Grabbed some small pails and needed a small hanging feeder.  They had no small hanging feeders.  :-(  Also have been chatting with Linda about Mini Silky Goats... Thank you linda, we sure did click!  I am learning so much about the mini silky world.  She has a nice doe who has been exposed to a male.  Am thinking after chatting with her that this doe may be a good fit.  But with her being pregnant, I cant figure out a way to safely transport her.  I also need a little bit more in savings to afford her.  So maybe it means its not time yet.  My touch of OCD is kicking in, feeling like I want one now and have browsed so many websites... Trying to just relax, be patient!

Holidays are coming.  Started christmas cookies last night.  Made some cutout cookies and included goat cutout cookie this year!  Cant wait for the winter break from school.  I love my job, working at a High School is great, but I also love my breaks!

Just another day

Mo has started another new and funky behavior... or at least funky to me.  When I let the boys out of the pen he pants like a dog, breathes real heavy, tongue hangin out and licks and bites at finnegan.  So unless it is some warning about something serious its just another funny thing he does.  Coughs went away then came back in one of the boys.  Gave a shot to clear it up. 

Doing my research for a new Mini Silky Fainting Goat.  I am being very specific about what I want.  Looked up LGD's today,very interesting.     Cant wait to have goatie babies!

Healthy, wealthy and wise

Well, maybe not wealthy but feelin the rest!  Goaties are healthy!  All they need is a bath with thier special fungus shampoo and they are good to go!  My next shipment of goat meds from jeffers is coming in soon!!  The garage has been working out for sleeping arrangements until we can get the small goat pen reinforced.  Then the goats will sleep outside as per donnas recommendation!  Although I will miss bringing them into the kitchen every night for playtime.  :-(

Had a great night with them last night.  MO has started this new thing with finnegan.  Mo chases finnegan around the kitchen with his head down, aiming for his butt and his lips flapping away.  Once he catches up to finnegan, MO bites his butt!  It is so funny to watch.  I dont know why he does it?

Anyways, looking forward to the holidays when I can relax with my husband, my daughter, 3 dogs and 2 goats! 

Does it ever end!!!!

So, I am giving both boys some antibiotics again for thier cough.  It started with MO, and now both are hackin!  With the help of goatie friends I feel like I have a handle on it once again.  I have 2 shippments coming from jeffers which contain many things for my medicine chest such as penicillan, vitamin b suppliments, new hay feeder, needels, etc... maybe, just maybe I will finally be on track to keeping the boys healthy. 

Also very excited to see how a new little baby is progressing.  My friend donna has a grandaughter of a doe named Citrus lane pygmies hyacinth.  We think the dad might be ash ana acres tomahawk.  For those of you not in the goat world those two goats mentioned have exceptional champion bloodlines.  If thie little doe continues to fill out nicely I am thinking I will scoop her up.  She was born on my birthday so I think it is meant to be!  It will be a christmas gift from my mom.  She sure has invested in my new obsession alot!  

Back to work

Well, I must say, my thankgiving break was busy but restful at the same time. My goaties played alot in the yard as I was home.  The weather this past weekend was in the mid 80's... super awesome.  Still learning about goat health and have noticed a milky saliva as they chew thier cud.  Could be normal, who knows.  Got them the delicious "ace high" goat mix this weekend.  They love it!  Nuts and oats mixed in molasses.  Have discovered that bermuda hay all day with orchard grass is  really good thing as long as they get thier goat chow.  Also discovered that purina chow is high in protien but also high in fibr which prevents urinary problems.  It also has a cocci preventative in it.  But I am out and have to find a feed store that can order it.  I am sure that it is not good for y boys to be eating the ace high every day as it is not properly balanced for MO.  I have also starting researching pool alarms and will be expanding the pen soon.  Enjoyed my first goat show so much.... it makes me wanna do so much more, but with shows so far away it makes for a costly experience.  Looking forward to show season!

Happy Thanksgiving

Goaties were up at 5:30am like clockwork.  They sleep in the garage.  Yes its weird, but we have coyotes and only 2 goats.  They sleep inside the dog kennel.... its an extra large  square/open kennel that fits a great dane.  We leave it open and have added a portable folding dog fence.  So they can wander in and out.  They are also potty trained to pee on a towel.  So they will walk to a towel on the floor to pee on it and go back to where they are sleeping.  Dont ask me how I did it, they just started doing it.

Anyways, they had thier breakfast in thier pen outside.  Later this morning I let them out to enjoy some large branches off the eucalyptus tree and after they were done they settled under our outdoor table for a nap.  It has been a good day.

Shots anyone?

For the first time I have to give MO a shot with a really big needle.  He has a respiratory infection. See... it was supposed to be easy.  NOT so much!  Ordered more OTC meds from jeffers online, picked up a dewormer from goat friend denise cause apparently I havent gotten that under control and giving the "exced" shot tonight.  I have done shots with diabetic needled on them and myself when I was going through infertility stuff.  Ugh, hope it goes well.  Crossing my fingers, hoping this next batch of supplies will help me through this last bit of infections, worms and fungus.  Blah

On the flip side never mentioned the story of my pet sitter.  Alie, one of my dancers at Santana HS is a horse owner, honors student, looking to be a vet.  Very responsible senior.  She pet sits for us when we go away.  Anyways, she watched the goats for the first time a few weeks ago.  I told her "if you get on the floor and play with them they will bond with you".  I myself get on all fours and act like what I think a goat mom acts like.  So she did... she layed on the floor and finnegan jumped on her back.  She thought awe how cute... and then felt a very warm sensation on her behind.  I guess finnegan was marking her.  Now she belongs to finnegan.  Hillarious!! 

MO and Finnegan

In July of 2011 I decided it was about time for a new hobby.  I had always loved pygmy goats at the fair but never looked into owning any.  To my suprise we were zoned for them and I started on my quest!  Easy right?  It was supposed to be.  Give them hay and shelter, some salt and they are good.  Easy to train, they learn ther names and are the clowns of the barnyard.  Wrong!!  Maybe its easy for others.  Regardless I wouldnt go back and change anything.

MO:  He is my black and white pygmy mix. I already had a reservation for a purebread but couldnt wait.  I found MO on craigslist in riverside.  My husband drove me 2 hours north to grab this little guy.  He has been easy and full of spirit.  He jumps on everything, loves cherrios, flake cereal, apples and eucalyptus leaves.  He comes in the kitchen at night and plays and then falls asleep at my feet or next to be as I sit on the ground.  He knows how to walk on his hind legs for treats and is learning to shake. 

Finnegan:  He is my drama king and show goat.  He was sick for the first 8 weeks I had him.  He was also wild when I picked him up from the breeder.  We spent many nights relaxing on the couch so he would get used to me and so I could watch him.  We have experienced exsplosive diahreah, worm infestation, phemonia and several upper respiratory infections.  We had a rough start.  Now he is my shadow and never leaves my side.  He loves to jump on my back and watch life over my shoulder.

Both of the boys are wethers and are so fun to play with.  They have a goat playland in the yard and lots of love.  They are super spoiled.  I still am learning about goat health and other goat things.  There is alot to know.   I have also made new friends who have been a huge help.  Thankyou donna and denise!  We had our first goat show on November 19 2011.  It was great fun!

I will be adding one more goat soon.  It will be a doe and once she is ready I will breed her.  She will also be shown as well.  I look forward to my new hobby and everything it has to offer!