Well...it's done.

[Suzyq2u]

Think I'm still kinda numb about it.
But it's going to be a good thing.

With so much going on at home right now
we just didn't have the time to tend our
goatie babies and everything else at the same time.
someone or critter was always getting the short end.

They've gone on to new pastures.
The last group all went together.

They were particularly pesky the last week
I think that helped .
Gonna miss those little brats.
One day we will get back in with better fences
and more time on our hands - now just wasn't it.

We've kept our highland - she misses them.

[GoatGirl123]

You sold all of your goats? That must be hard.

[dozedotz]

It is tough to spend all the time and worry and then see them go. I'm sure there will be another time and it will be great!

[Backfourty,MI.]

I am so sorry you had to choose but sometimes it's just better for the humans & the animals to find good homes for them & start over at a better time.
Still it has to be tough, I know you really LOVE those goats!

[Suzyq2u]

Thanks. It's really quiet here this morning...

[paintpony]

Oh I'm sorry Suzy! Such a hard decision to make.

[fffarmergirl]

It's hard when you have to give up and wait until a better time to start over, but it's such a weight off your shoulders, too, isn't it?

We're getting ready to do it with our chickens. We thought free range was a good idea but they've been pooping in our driveway for too many years. We're going to get rid of them and then build a nice big pen and start over. I'm so looking forward to a clean driveway.

We had to totally give up on the angora rabbits we had. The upkeep was just too much. What a relief, when that last rabbit left!

[V-NH]

I decided that meat chickens were just too much this summer. Did them several times before, but with a baby on the way and lots of home improvements to do I got really tired of managing them. It takes a lot to keep the smell of cornish rocks to a minimum when they have to be raised in a pen. I ended up selling them off, taking a small loss, and I decided to only raise meat that is difficult to get in the store from now on. Going to keep it to 10-15 waterfowl next year.

[Squeaky McMurdo]

You have no idea how badly I needed to read this thread. I love love LOVE my goats. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with the possibility of letting Almond Joy go. But we have less than half an acre and my husband isn't very happy with his boss anymore. Living in a community of small towns, his boss is the only game in town really. We don't really know where we want to be. We know eventually we want to settle down on acreage and do the farming thing.

[Pony]

We did that with the rabbits, but it's way different with goats.

I'm so sorry you had to make the choice. Even if it was the best choice, it's hard, hard, hard.

{hug}

[SeaGoat]

I went from 5 to 2 and I didnt think I could do it...
But! Im so glad I did. It lifted SO much weight off my shoulders and they have actually become a joy to have again.


Im debating my chickens. I need to redo coops and pens because its so out of commission theyve becoming a big pain in the rear. Im just afraid if I get rid of them Ill never get them again

[TRAILRIDER]

Ah such hard decisions to make. I can't imagine giving up my goats. Its one reason I am only acquiring them very slowly.
As much as I miss having a riding horse. I just don't have time right now. But I really, REALLY miss my pigs! One day though, I will have time to raise a few pigs and time to ride again. I say, good for you to know what is right for you and your family. Take care.

[mzgarden]

Doing the right thing when it's hard is a sign of an individual with great integrity. Hugs for the sadness and a pat on the back for doing the right thing anyway.

[nehimama]

I know that was difficult, and I'm sorry it was necessary.

[TRAILRIDER]

Well said mzgarden

[Suzyq2u]

Thanks everyone
I appreciate you all - you've been a big part of our "life" the last few yrs!

[Tango]

I've faced decisions like this several times mainly because I'm one person, alone, doing a lot more than one person should and getting older now with a few health problems that I can't overcome with sheer determination. I made that decision about my new goat herd not too long ago and discovered when I least expected it a dear friend offered to step in and help- although she lives out of state and will only come to relieve me so I can go on retreat. But its a huge help. Still I am saying good bye to my Catahoula child this afternoon. He is so big and strong and has my ankle, my knees, my wrists and my elbow in bad shape from pulling and me falling. It is better to face the changes as the transitions of life. We have them all the time in every sphere of our living. It can still be very tough to let go. So nice when we can meet support from our communities rather than self righteous criticism behind one's back... or gossip. If we look far enough into our own lives we will discover we've all faced these tough choices, we've all felt loss.

[GraceAlice]

We recently had to give away all of our chickens, cats, and goats to move halfway across the country. Now I'm giving up the rabbits. In a few weeks I will not have any livestock at all. It's hard, it really is hard hard hard, but I know it's better. I just wasn't meant to raise rabbits, and BOY have the past few months shown that to me! We had to sell/give away all of our goats just weeks before we picked up and left.

I know the opportunity will soon come when I am able to get back into them, though. We just have to wait and see where our lives take us.

[Belladonna]

" Country is knowing who you are, what you're made of and not being afraid to show it"

[Suzyq2u]

UGH! And he's already selling them (for more of course).
I stayed away from CL on purpose but they were listed on a local site,
I didn't expect to see them listed there : /

Sigh. Hopefully they find a happy home