I have hand milked my goats for 13 years now...it's been a time I treasured. Time I was able to sit quietly in the barn with my animals; the goats of course, barn cats, geese, chickens, and my dogs and horses. It's been therapeutic really.
Sadly, it has to mostly come to an end. My hands have hurt terribly this year and I finally went and saw a hand specialist. I have a genetic predisposition for arthritis and joint breakdown, and the more I milk the worse it gets. He said I need a new hobby, because this one isn't kind to me.
I can't see my life without them, and I believe the raw goat milk really is the healthiest choice. I enjoy making cheese and soap. I guess I'll just do it on a much smaller scale. So...that leads me to this post- I am selling quite a few of my goats. I already have. I will be keeping 2 milkers and my new buck, besides the older girls I wish to keep as pets because they deserve their retirement.
Cowboy is an amazing buck, and he did good work for me here. He sired 14 kids, all gorgeous and not one birthing problem. He is a beautiful animal and it pains me to sell him, but I will just no longer have a use for him here and he's young. See his page here:
The other goat is also a 3rd generation Miniature Nubian. This little doe was a first freshener this year. She kidded independently and without a hitch. Her little doeling was drop dead pretty and Bella Anna was a fabulous and loving mother. She had quite a lot of milk for such a small girl. Milk genetics are a strong point. Her faults are that she isn't friendly (but she stands perfectly still for milking on the stanchion) and her teats are very long.
See her page here:
Thank you
I'm sorry dear. My goats aren't milkers, but I feel the pains of change for you. My herd is small, too; once in the 30's and 40's at kidding season and now 6 nannies and 2 bucks. Change is hard for me. Sounds like you are gracefully easing forward. Good job. I haven't commented for awhile, but love to hear your heart.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rhonda. It's a life change for sure.
ReplyDelete