The Goatherd Experience

Well, the fair has one more day. While I'm home, I might as well give my report. Wednesday afternoon was Open Class. The judge was impressed with both of Clover's kids. Surprisingly however, it was Diddely Squat who was queen for the day. She took Junior Grand Champion Alpine, and Junior Grand Champion over all the other breeds. Ellie got a blue ribbon in her class. I also won the mother, daughter class showing Clover and Diddy.

Friday was the 4-H show. I took second place in the Senior showmanship class. Clover and Annabelle both took 5th in their classes in the show. Lewis and Clark performed horribly!

In a nutshell that's pretty much it. I've now added another thing to my list of pages to add on the site... an Awards page. urgh. I'll have to get to it. anyway that's all from now. Oh wait!

Sirius and Cabrito both had to stay home from the fair because there was no room to take them. While here, they've developed a rather interesting bond and now they think they are chickens! Okay. Now I really think that's it! More later.

I've been so busy getting ready for fair the last couple of weeks, I haven't been able to post. This afternoon, Dad, Grandpa, and I went over to the fair grounds today. They set up the camper while I set up the goat pens. I have four and so I'm putting two goats in each. Here's the lineup of who's together:

Lewis and Clark (no brainer)
Clover and Ebbie
Diddely Squat and Annabelle (clover's kids)
Ellie and Samson


Open class is Weds. after the market goat show sometime
4-H show is Fri. @ 10am

so yeah. I move goats in tomorrow. Dad is staying at the fair Friday and Sat. Night. I'm hoping that he'll bring the digital camera from work so I can take fair 2005 pictures and put them on the site.

I had a thought the other day. I'm not going to go into too much detail but Personally, I think it's a good idea and so I'm going to talk to my parents about it. If they are okay with it, I'll give you more information when the time is right...

So every day when I milk usually one or two goats manages to get through the gate that separates them from the milking room. They squeeze through the bottom of the gate where it opens a bit. So today Clover's kids found out that they could get in. I stopped milking and hauled them out. A few minutes later, they got in again and I grabbed one and while I was hauling her out Clover kicked the milk bucket and spilled milk all over the stinking stand. I was furious but I thought that we might be able to use the rest of the milk, so I continued to milk Clover. The kids kept getting in while I was doing it. I was still frustrated and so when it was Ellie's turn, I forgot what I was doing and didn't put the first few squirts of milk in the strip cup. So I basically contaminated the rest of the milk. AAAAAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!! I cannot milk in that room if the goats continue to get in!

Mom and I messed with the new harnesses today. We figured out that they are indeed two separate harnesses and they're much better than my old harness. We hitched both Lewis and Clark up and they both pulled the cart really well.

We went over to the fair to drop off my entry papers for open class. I'm showing all the does in that class.

I milked as usual. Not much exciting there...

Mom and I ordered a package from Hoegger goat supply. It came today. among other things, we ordered a stainless steel bucket for milking, and a team harness for the boys. Mom wants me to get out the old harness and wash it and fix it, but that may not be necessary because it seems that it's two single harnesses that have the equipment to hook them together. So I may be able to work with that.

Samson got Disbudded, Dehorned, and tattooed the other day. Now he will hardly let me near him. *sigh* I'm going to train him for either pack or harness since he's so big. I have to sell Sirius and Cabrito before the fair, if anyone wants a goat just as a pet, leave me a note.

Yeah, so I milked and then spent time holding Cabrito, Sirius, and the new little buck who I've dubbed Samson. I think it's mainly because he's so big which is due to the fact that he was the only kid. Anyway, it seems to fit him. I love sitting out in the barnyard. It's so relaxing to have a goat on your lap and watch the other goats and the chickens. Ah... Bliss...

The question of whether Ellie is pregnant or not has finally been answered. I was milking Ebbie and I heard little bleatings. I figured it was just her little boys. Since she was separated from them. As I was about to let her out of the gate that separates the milking area from the goat yard, I glanced into the barn and there was a strange kid. It took me a minute to realize that this kid belonged to Ellie. So that's the amazing thing for the day. I wish I had a picture of dad's expression when I told him. It was really funny. Mom looked at the kid and is pretty sure it's another buck which is rather frustrating. But ah well...

On another note, I needed a milk stand so I could milk the two does by myself without having to get someone to hold them. So my grandpa had the renter who is renting the house between my cousins' and mine. Built one. I was surprised that he had it done as quickly as he did because he isn't known for his speed. Anyway, it turned out really nice and since I had to paint it, it's a bunch of funky colors because that was what color paint we had lying around. When I get a chance, I'll take a picture and post it on my website.