Farmer Life 168

When Garnet was getting close to her due date (3/7) we moved her to the birthing stall by herself, but she was so stressed out we ended up putting Topaz back in with her.  Coral never minded being alone, but Garnet is a lot younger and this is her first time being pregnant so she was understandably scared.  So they have been hanging out together and we've been impatiently awaiting babies.  Topaz is due 3/13.  Unfortunately we haven't seen babies from either and Garnet is overdue. Since Crockett was in the pen with them for two heat cycles it's possible she got bred on the second one, so that puts her new due date out to 3/18.  It's so frustrating! I'm ready for babies.  It was easy to tell when Coral was getting close because she's an older, more experience doe, but with first timers they sometimes don't show signs until right up to giving birth.  Some don't start getting milk in until the day they give birth or after giving birth.  That makes it ...

Jack started out really picky when we weaned him, but he's gotten a lot of adventurous with trying new foods.  Of course he absolutely loves fruit.  What squirrel wouldn't?? Check out the videos below.  Sorry for the lack of photos.  Hubby prefers videos and he took most of these in recent posts on his cell phone. Direct Link ..and... Direct Link I hope you're enjoying watching his cuteness as much I as do. :D Oh I almost forgot to share a picture of where he "hid" his orange. Yep he put it in a shoe..... silly squirrel!  You can also see what he did to my potting soil.  He has it everywhere!  It's going to take me forever to clean it up.

I finally put a collar and leash on Amethyst.  Isn't she cute???  Check out the video below to see her reaction. Direct Link She was freaked out at first, but then she climbed into my lap for comfort and it was okay.  She's dragged the rope a few more times since this video and is definitely getting more comfortable with it.  She still doesn't like me to hold the rope because if she feels trapped it freaks her out.  That' definitely not an unusual reaction.  Below are some photos from March 7th of her just being cute.  She loves her table!  The forked tree is another favorite.  Sorry they are blurry.  I was getting late and you know how cell phones are.  I wish her head hadn't been behind the post.  Look how high she jumps!  She's adorable!  Topaz wanted some attention too. Amethyst refuses to be ignored! She can be such a little pest sometimes hehe.

I have some more videos for you of Amethyst!  She is so stinking cute! Direct Link We finally moved Garnet to the birthing stall and moved Coral and Amethyst in with Topaz.  This was really her first time ever meeting another goat.  She loves the bigger stall and yard for sure!  Check out the video below of her meeting Topaz and Jackal. Direct Link Amethyst can be a bit of a pest.  I've spoiled her.  I'll admit it.  Being around another adult doe is a good thing though because she can help discipline Amethyst and teach her the rules of being a goat much better than we can. Direct Link Amethyst has been taste testing feed and hay since she was a week old, but now at four and a half weeks old she is eating grain with her mother every day.  She loves to stand in the feeder and eat.  The old chicken nest box is her own personal bunk bed.  I need to try to get pictures of it.  She sleeps up there!  Check out the beginning of this ne...

Here is a picture of Jack enjoying his honeysuckle for those of you who can't watch videos.  He's hanging from his hind legs on the screen door while chewing on his treat.  Check out the video below. Direct Link

Sorry there are no pictures, but here is a video of Amethyst playing at three weeks.  She is so cute and bouncy and energetic! Direct Link She weighed 15.7 pounds at three weeks.  I love this baby goat!

I am SO behind on posts, that I'm going to back post some to get caught up to what is currently going on.  In the latter part of February we enclosed the other side of the barn to make another area to keep pregnant goats.  Hubby built a pen attached to it.  We moved Garnet and Topaz into this area because their due dates are March 7th and March 13th.  Sorry the pictures are dark. Goats can easily give birth out in the pasture, but since this is our first time as well as their first time we wanted to have them where we can monitor them more closely.  The other reason is because we are trying to tame them all down.  Coral is still pretty feral, but Garnet is coming along great!  She will even approach and let us pet her. Topaz is a total pet as usual. Above you can see where we are using the old chicken nest boxes as a hay rack.  It works out pretty well! That started the long, impatient wait for more babies..... Oh and here is a picture of the pen ...