Babies and more

Ok, it's been a while since I've posted. I'll blame it on spring busy-ness. Building raised beds, new chickens, spring cleaning (barn and house), random yard work, and of course, babies. Right now we have four bouncing babies -- all for sale -- and one huge miserable goat just waiting to have hers. This is Tippy's "gee I swallowed twin beachballs" belly...does she look comfortable?

Let's just say she's NOT comfortable. And she IS big. Part of the issue is she's a cross, half Alpine (a full-size dairy breed) and half Nigerian Dwarf. That makes her a milking machine, with huge, almost whole hand teats (ok, TMI, but those of you who milk understand what I mean :) ). And she tends to pack lots of babies in there...4 last year. We're hoping for the same this year.

But you don't want to see bellies, you want to see babies.

This is one of Li Hing's twin boys. Li Hing is my herd leader, and my all time favorite goat. An excellent mum, lover of people, great milker and super sweet. Her babies are always adorable, and have her people-loving personality.

 

Here's her brother:

He's cute too, only that tiny bit of white on him on his right side. He was born first...looks so much like his mom I couldn't believe it as he was coming out.

Here are Rhianna's babies...

This is her daughter, she's sweet and cuddly. Rhianna was the one who needed me to deliver *all* her babies last year, all 4 of them!, so I'm thrilled she did it all on her own this year.

And here's her brother, a sharp looking boy:

This crew is a week old today, already munching on a bit of hay and bouncing around everywhere. It's all too cute.

Meanwhile, Lucy and Lucky, Leela's bottle-fed babies, went to their forever homes about three weeks ago and are settling in well (though the new owners report they do have springs for legs!)

It's a busy time here at LongEars Farm. We're getting ready for a local farmer's market, playing with babies, and hoping the warm weather stays for good. The shearer comes in roughly two weeks to give the ovine gals their haircuts, which they will be very happy about (me too, can't wait to get my hands on all that fiber!) I've been spinning up a storm lately too, and knitting. Felting has taken a back seat. Oh and soap-making...now that I have access to goat's milk again. Not enough for us to drink, since the babies need it, but I sneak a bit now and then for soap.

If anyone is looking to add some caprine cuteness to their lives, our small herd is CAE, Brucellosis and TB free. Babies will come disbudded, with CD&T shots, and wethered as necessary. But most importantly babies are guaranteed to be people friendly and cute. We hug and cuddle and play with them daily (adults and children) and they're used to dogs, horses, donkeys, sheep, chickens and a cranky pig (all an added bonus :) ). Email me at valerierice@gmail.com for more information.

Comments

[Ailsa Ek]

Oh, I love stripey-face boy! Any idea how much you'll want for the half-Alpine babies (assuming one's a doeling, that is)? Did you breed Tippy to a Nigie buck?