You’ll remember my goat post a week or so ago and I was so excited about getting goats. The guy was going to call us on Sunday to go out and get a milking lesson and he was going to help us get started.
He never called on Sunday. Then he told me he would be off on Friday and would call then. He never called on Friday.
Forget about dealing with him! This was all during the time that the electric companies were promising they could give us a solar plan and then they would call and say “sorry . . can’t do it”.
Also, the guy told us what kind of fencing we needed and we knew we needed special goat fencing but what he was telling us ended up being what others who have raised goats recommended against. Also, the breed of goats, which was actually a cross breed, seems to not be a good breed for milking, according to what others have told us so . . it was all a bust.
Between the goats and the electric company dealings, I was pretty bummed but Vince and I talked about it and decided we will hold off on the goats for now. We’re in the middle of trying to get another project going . . one I’ll talk about once we get a little farther into it but for now, we have our hands full so, though I still want a couple of milk goats, I’ll hold off on that for now.
Joan says
Bummer about the goats. Thanks for the update. I can’t wait to hear about the next project! You and Vince keep things interesting and far from boring!
Sue in Scottsdale, AZ says
I guess if the goats weren’t the best for milk, you are better off to wait. I can’t wait to hear about your next project. I guess there is never a dull moment at your “spread”!
Marion Morgan says
Did I really hear yet another project is in the works. Cannot wait to hear as you and Vince. Are at your best when planning a project be it building, animals, gardening etc. love it.
Cindy B. says
I have raised and milked goat. We did the best with either the LaMancha or Saanen. We just staked ours, never bothered with a fence.
Evelyn Starfishy says
When I was little my dad got us 2 Nubian goats. I loved them. They were the sweetest, friendliest goats ever. I would just keep planning to have goats and get things all ready for them – and then when the right time comes along it won’t be a huge scramble to get things ready! Sometimes goats arrive unexpectedly! 🙂 Cheers! Evelyn
Donna Williams says
Oh well, when the time is right then you will have milk goats, I have no doubt. Sounds like you have your hands full with all the chickies right now anyway. 🙂 Can hardly wait to see what’s next!
Helen Koenig1 says
Hmmm! Another project…………. if not goats nor calves – and probably not sheep. What about pigs? If you have read Mother Earth News frequently, I know you’ve seen articles by folks who use portable pig houses, pigs and fences to sort of “till up” (root around) a garden or two – all the while fertilizing it.
Or maybe geese? they clean the weeds and fertilize the grown as well – as long as you don’t leave them around RIPE strawberries (which they squash with their ploddy feet).
Or maybe putting in a small pond for fishing? Or a larger one for not only fishing but maybe a little boating and/or swimming?
Goats CAN wait – although I loved them dearly – they can be more labor intensive – as regards putting up the 6′ high fencing and the twice (and sometimes 3 times) daily milking. Still and all, I sure do wish I had several (I’m thinking 3 or 4 – for all year production AND for making homemade cheese again)
JudyL says
No pigs. We have almost NO water here so putting in a pond isn’t feasible. For now, we probably won’t add any critters. Once Vince retires, we may decide to add animals or we may get rid of everything and sit on our behinds and do nothing! 🙂
Rebecca in SoCal says
I would say you have your hands pretty darn full with all those chickens, chicks, and potential chickens! Plus spring gardening, and solar…but it is easy to underestimate you. You do more than any three people I know!
Brandy M. says
Sorry to hear about that, because you seemed SO excited about it, but it sounds like it’s all for the best right now. I’ll look forward to the day you DO get more critters! Until then, you’ve still got tons of stuff to keep you busy, and to teach all of us about, so….. ha!
🙂