Yesterday, Eric went and picked up the brush crew. The brush crew is the goats we took to a neighboring farm to help clear brush from a pasture. Upon returning home, I saw many more goats in the field than when I left. After feeding my chickens and unloading feed, I went out to see the recent returnees. I love watching the herd dynamics. Wacko and Yacko (the original smiling goat) were buddied up with their cousin and friend, Dot. Also, Fauna, the twin sister of our “little sick goat,” Flora, could not get enough of her friends. It was a happy reunion.
When I entered the pasture, Wacko and Yacko immediately came over to say hello. They look wonderful. If I did not know they were boys, I would think they were pregnant; they are so fat and healthy-looking. Being at the Spence farm, they certainly did not miss any meals. As I looked over the herd, I was happy to see Waddles and Brown-White-Brown were delighted to be reunited with their Boer goat comrades. I find it interesting that the Boer goats gravitate to the other Boer goats, and the Dairy goats hang with the other dairy goats. Not that they don’t mingle, it’s just when it is time to bed down, they kind of segregate. All the little boys, who left as little goats, have returned grown big and healthy. The little boys are not friendly at all. This is for the best, considering they will be sold in the near future. There is one little boy whom I wish we had left intact. He would make someone a beautiful herd sire.
As we prepare for winter, it is nice to have everyone home to monitor their care. If there is going to be a problem with the herd, it often arises in the winter. This is just one more reason I am not fond of winter. I am pleased with the health and appearance of everyone. If the Spence’s decide they want the brush crew to return in the spring, I will be happy to have them go. Overall, I believe our little experiment turned out well. The Spence’s are satisfied with the clearing ability of our goats, it’s better for the environment than spraying herbicides, and our goats are well fed and healthy. Having more than half the herd go to a different farm is also easier on our pasture fields. In my opinion, this has been a win-win situation.
The goats are happy to be reunited, and Abu has some new ladies to romance (insert yuck face). When I left the pasture field yesterday, I could still smell Abu. The Bibbed Wonder confirmed that I smelled like a billy goat and chased me out of the soap studio. He informed me I would contaminate the soap with my stench, which happened to be worse than usual (insert a big sigh and eye roll). I have to admit; I will be happy when Abu’s rut season is over. Our feed room, which is nowhere near the goats, smells like Abu. When the wind blows in just the right direction, I smell him outside. I know he is just doing what nature intended for him to do, but he is rancid. My poor girls smell like Abu’s stinky musk. Come springtime, everyone, including Sir Abu, will get a good bath and that urine-filled beard that Abu prizes will be lopped off. I may have to recruit my bean and Jenna to help with that spa day.
That, dear reader, is the happenings here at the farm. Next week, I hope to report that my dear Lily and favorite, Big Red, have delivered healthy babies without any issue. Today, we will pack and get ready for our big show in Pittsburgh. We will be at The David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Friday and Saturday if you are in the Pittsburgh area. As The Bibbed Wonder always says, “You won’t find better company.”
Until tomorrow, stay safe, be smart, call a win a win, and keep washing your hands. This virus thing doesn’t appear to be ending any time soon.