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!