Well, I was right... it did slip my mind to faithfully add to our blog. It's not for lack of cool things happening around the farm - it's just the pace of impending springtime that hurries life right along... soccer, lacrosse, school, 4-H, gardening, mowing, baby goats, birthdays, eggs, eggs, eggs, and so on.
So, let's back track and welcome Jane and Derby to the farm and family. Jane, Castle Rock Lady Jane Grey was purchased in March for Bee to use as her 4-H goat. Stella, the three-teated-death-warrior has spent the last three weeks trying to kill baby Jane. Stella used to be a sweet, docile Nigerian Dwarf goat until we brought Jane home... Jane's job is to be a super star in the show ring! Stella's new job is to be Tessa's little sister and BFF.
The first night that we brought Jane home was so awful. The goats were so mean to her, and she was so lonely that I promptly called the breeder the next morning to arrange for a "loaner" wether to keep her company. Turns out wethers are throw-away goats since there is no breeding/money making use for them. So, back in the car to Vacaville I go to pick up Jane's brother, Derby. On loan for a month.
Now, let me explain the weird names... the breeder we purchased Jane from only names her goats after flowering or native plants. The parents of Jane were named after a lupine and a rose... so that's the flower varieties that we got to choose names from. Lady Jane Grey is a rose. And after seeing the "loaner" wether - who also happens to be Jane's brother - I knew I wanted to keep him, even though that decision hasn't been made official yet. Anyway, we needed to call the little guy something and since he looks like he is wearing blinkers like a racehorse and runs everywhere, we quickly googled the name of a rose... Kentucky Derby. So, welcome Derby!
So, we have been bottle feeding these two baby goats for about three weeks now. It has been a super cool experience for our family and the goats are just lap dogs because of it. We slowly transitioned them from goat's milk to vitamin D cow's milk right from the store - how easy is that? And I have to say that sitting out in the goat stall at 6:30 a.m. in my pajamas and jacket feeding babies and drinking coffee have been some of my best mornings on the farm. Not many people can say that they start their day like that - and I feel very lucky that I get to!
