Sad Day on the Farm...

 

 

 
 

We spent Sunday figuring out the round-up and who gets to stay.  One thing for sure is the 7 boys have to go.  We are not ready for the responsibility to castrate and eventually butcher the males for food.  So we take the easy way out and haul them to auction.  I spend several hours in tears; as they (including the boys) have brought much laughter, smiles and fun to the farm.  But, we have to do what is right. 

Monday morning, my neighbor brought over her 1 male and the female we gave them last year.  We didn't de-horn any of our kids last year; which made it very dangerous for her and the other animals on their farm.  Many tears later; we know her decision to sell  her was too, a right one.  I kept them contained in the pen for the rest of the day, listening to many cries for the girl that will remain on the farm. 



Pip & her boy

Goodbye - 7 boys

Ben got home around 4:30pm and we head out to round-up the 7 boys and prepare for the loading.  The trial run paid off on Sunday; because the loading wasn't as difficult as it had been in the past.  But; now instead of 1 boy and 1 mom crying; we have 8 boys and 5 moms screaming for their kids.  Not a nice sound to hear so we quickly hook up the trailer to the truck and haul them to the front to get the trailer lights working and make sure the tires are ready for the road trip. 

Fortunately, it is a nice drive to Fredericksburg where Ben and I get to share stories about the events of the day and reminisce over the last trips where we "didn't know how it all worked" and broke many rules, unknowingly.  The line of trucks and trailers full of sheep and goat stock was about 25 sellers long; but the wait went quickly - about 30 minutes.  We know how it works now; and are able to get in and out without issue.  The 45 minute trip home was quite.  It's done! And I'm sure I'll still shed more tears before the end of today.

I start this Tuesday morning early.  Ben & I are doing a green smoothie drink for breakfast, so I get these whipped up quickly as he heads out the door for work.  I do a few tasks to get my work-day started then load up to take care of the three moms that don't have boys drinking their milk.

My first attempt to milk a couple of months ago was a real fiasco!  What not to do!... I'm expecting this to be quick and easy. HA!  I lock up all the remaining goats in the pen and usher and coax one of the 3 moms (Belle) to the milking stand with a bucket of feed.  So far so good.  As she eats; I get about 2 cups of milk from her; but as she runs out of food - she starts kicking and knocks the milk out of my hand and it spills everywhere!  Just as I say a few choice words and get her more feed; my neighbor shows up to help me out.  She's been doing this for over a month with one of her girls and knows what works best to get the job done!  Before I know it; she has 3 containers full and could get more if we kept at her. But to be honest; Belle was getting more restless and I was done with holding her still.  Maybe next time will be easier with her.

We wash up and round up mom #2 and then #3 - both without any fight or issue.  Missy gave us no grief and provided 3 containers full as well.  Stella too was fairly easy to milk, but slow to get started.  She definitely had a lot of milk; but it was locked up.  Massaging helps release it and my neighbor spent face time with her to keep her calm once the food was gone. 

This mornings milk.

The scary part of this all, is they need to be milked twice a day.  This morning took me about an hour with the help of my neighbor.  I don't see Ben getting up with me at 5am to help milk the goats before he goes to work  - so I'm not quite sure how I'm going to work this into my daily schedule.  The evening milkings should be easier since I will have his help.  One thing for sure, I know I'll be getting at least 2 showers a day!  This is work!

I will get it put away and figure out what ice cream, cheese, yogurt, soap or ??? to make with the milk.  My neighbor did butter yesterday - but this takes about 3 weeks for the cream to separate.  We will figure out what we 'like' the best and I'm sure share it with all.

A quick trip to the bee hive to top off their syrup, jump into the shower, and I'm back to work by 8:15 am.   That's the morning done -- we will see how tonight goes.