It's official.

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

I'm done with goats for now.

A few years ago, I sold most everybody, and was down to my two originals, useless, narrowed-hipped (and therefore never bred...why do I keep this gat? ) pet Alpine Rioko and big, gentle, fertile Saanen Yukiko.

Then, I kept a doeling or two from Yukiko again, bought some here and there. I had myself a nice little herd of 5 Saanens plus Rioko. Last year at fair I sold all the Saanens and babies except Yukiko.

Now, school has taken over my life, I havent bred Yukiko yet and I dont think I will. I think she'll be glad; she doesnt have the best udder attachments but has a massive udder so she bounces around a fair amount during lactation, and she had a difficult labor last year which isnt fun for anyone. Shes only 8, so I suppose I'm wasting productive years of her life but I just dont have the time.

So I'm done with baby goaties, with yummy goat milk, with milkings. At least for a year or two.

These two have a forever home here, though. Rioko is such a snob, plus those narrow hips make me worry if anyone wanted to breed her. I love my narrow-hipped snob. And Yukiko is my herd queen, my first milker, my goatie-sister. She survived my learning curve. Two useless hay burners, taking up space.

But dont worry; I'll be back! Just getting more knowledgeable here at college, then I'll be back in the goat world ready and raring!

[Rockytopsis]

Beautiful girls. Happy to read you are keeping those two.
Good luck on your schooling.
Nancy

[susanne]

abby if you miss the milking too much and the baby smell, you are welcome to visit. new kids arriving next week
you made a good decision. i wish you luck in school. make the best out of it.

[nehimama]

Best of luck at school. Thanks for sharing the pics with us. Those are some gorgeous kids in the first picture.

NeHi

[mygoat]

I'm just out of dairy goats while in school, and I breed for summer kids. My miniature meat goats at least keep me supplied with meat, and I don't have to completely give them up. I couldn't get down to less than 6 that I just couldn't bare to get rid of, though. I had one useless wether, 4 does, and 1 buck - but just got a new buck to bring in new blood. Of course I can't go 'big time' with them but I can at least have them to supply the family.

Selling of my dairies was one of the hardest things I ever did, but I'm glad that I did it now that I'm going to college.

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

Originally Posted by susanne

abby if you miss the milking too much and the baby smell, you are welcome to visit. new kids arriving next week

I'll be there christmas eve.

Originally Posted by mygoat

I'm just out of dairy goats while in school, and I breed for summer kids. My miniature meat goats at least keep me supplied with meat, and I don't have to completely give them up.

I'd love to do something like that, but I just dont trust my parents to care for them "right" since I'm so far away most of the time. Dads great about caring for them, really, and its not a big deal since he's already in the barn with his sheep, but nobody likes milking except me. Especially now since its the time to try and shoot for internships and that sort of thing, I have to concentrate on my education. At least I can still keep up on my less time-consuming animals, like ducks, for now though!

[susanne]

Originally Posted by xoxoGOATSxoxo

I'll be there christmas eve.

abby you are very welcome
bring one of your beautiful eggs to show me. i always love to see some one so creative

[xoxoGOATSxoxo]

Well I am going to be down in the Sterling Heights area for Christmas.... closer to you than where I'm from anyway.

You can have a "beautiful egg". Compliments = payment, and you jut bought yourself one.

[susanne]

looking forward to meet you abby.