Another Walk in Pasture

After the freeze debacle and continuing allergy issues, I once again decided I just had to get out of the house and try to enjoy the goats’ company again.  I put my mask on and picked up Popcorn in the barnyard.  For some reason, he was the only goat up here, and I really want him to go out to pasture to eat with the rest of the goats.  That was also a good excuse to go for a walk.  Anyhow, we started out following the trail.

Popcorn

We took time to nibble the grass.

We came across the llamas down on the bottom.

Odie and Maybeline

Eventually, we found the herd!  I was quite pleased to see that nobody was on the wrong side of the fence this time.

Well, mostly.  Butterscotch was nibbling through the fence.

Butterscotch

A lot of the goats were grazing.  Caroline rubbed against me so hard, she about knocked me over.  Myson came up for cheek scratchies.  It was nice.

Some of the girls were just lounging out there.

Holy goats, Hilda! How many kids are you going to have?

Venus

The kids were playing on the brush pile.

Then I turned around and saw Caroline–on the wrong side of the fence.  Seriously?

Caroline

I went back and got another nice panel to chop up and keep them from going under the fence.  I swear it’s a never-ending job.

Routine Work

Now that the herd is all together again, it makes it a lot easier to do that routine work that needs to be done. We’ve also had good weather which helps too.

In pasture with the herd

I had goats out in the field again, so I spent more time hobbling the fence.  I really need this thing to be replaced this summer.

bird on a fence

I have finished the latest round of copper.

Most of the goats are good about taking it hidden in a peanut shell, but some goats…

Tried catching for three days to shove it down her throat and then she decided to demurely take it in a peanut. smh

Those goats who refuse to eat a yummy peanut treat get caught and have the capsule put down their throats.  I much prefer the easy peanut method.

Young ones don’t always know what a yummy treat peanuts are.

I’m also working of hooves.  That is a constant.  This spring has been another really bad one for feet.  Our winter was thaw/freeze/thaw/freeze which was really hard on the hooves.

Cupid with Tiger (front) and Tansy

Most of them have cleaned up pretty well, but Astra’s feet are the worst.  I am trying really hard to get them back in shape.  Three feet are almost there, but that fourth might require some professional assistance.

Astra

Pistol and Blaze were both limping one day, so I checked feet.  Pistol’s was an easy fix. I just had to take the mud that had stuck between her toes and dried in there out–instant fix.  Blaze had to have hers trimmed, but she is still limping.  I’m sure she needs a couple days for the bruise to heal.

Blaze

You might remember Mary’s foot was a mess earlier.  It’s doing well now.

Bubbles, Mary, and Quatro

Of course, I’m still giving Popcorn his bottles.  I’m also trying to get him to go out to pasture with the herd, so he can eat grass and develop a good rumen.  Then I can quit feeding him bottles.

Popcorn

When I took him out, Astra’s boys ended up following us out there too.  Poor Astra.  She generally tries not to have her kids in pasture so she can have a little peace.  I do let her into the milk room for some sweet feed without kids trying to nurse.  It takes a lot to feed triplets.

Astra with Jester and Joker

Next I need to figure out how to get the dog’s toenails trimmed.  I’m not sure how to get him to the vet’s office (usually a two person job) and then I’m not sure they can get him to leave me and go in the clinic.

Sky

I’m going to have to think on this one.

Winter Blogging

Sometimes blogging about the farm in winter is hard.  We don’t do a lot.  The goats mostly spend their time in the barnyard eating.

Chiffon with Astra behind

They do like to bask in the sun.

Penelope in her food pan with maa, Annie, behind

Three generations: Haley, Zinnia, and Joy

Sometimes they just find a place to stay out of the wind.

Bubbles and Mary in the barn

Stormy

There’s the occasional fight through the fence, but overall it’s pretty boring.

Harley and Cupid

There’s not a lot going on for me to take pictures of, and I sometimes struggle to be able to do a blog post every day.  We hit the good weather jackpot this weekend though! I think I took enough pictures for the next two weeks (seriously).

Fionn and Xerxes enjoying the weather

Maisie and Uno got to come out of the buck room.  I left them in the buck room pasture though in case it gets cold again.

Maisie and Uno

I even took off Uno’s coat.

Uno

It was even nice enough that everyone went out to pasture!

Maybeline, Odie, and Aurora

Moira; Pluto and Venus; Penny

I even let a couple of the goats out of the greenhouse to join the rest of the herd.

Pistol and Antigone

Still, they are mostly just eating, but you’ll at least have different backgrounds with them eating.

Mary, LilyAnn, Coral, Sidney, Bubbles, Penny, and I can’t tell

Chiffon

Myson

Venus

Aurora and Maybeline

And you’re really in luck if you like pictures of the tops of their heads.

Bubbles

Hilda

Pistol

And if you like posts with lots of pictures, you’re also in luck.