With the billy goat in the pen with my lady goats, I didn't want to tie them out to eat grass. For one thing, when I go to the pen, they all three come to the gate; I don't want the billy out because he isn't used to being tied up, and he would be the first one out the gate if I tried to get the girls out. He is strong!
They always have hay to eat, but I like them to have grass from the pasture. There's quite a bit of clover growing tall out there, so I decided to pick the clover for them, putting it in a bucket, and taking it to them. I found out I could get a bucket full in ten minutes, packing it down tight, and decided to do that twice a day.
Twice a day they see me going to the pasture and yell at me to hurry up (in goat language). Twice a day they eat every single bit of it. I reach up over the fence, turn the bucket upside down, and the clover falls on their heads, which makes a silly picture for about 20 seconds until it all falls off of them.
I sure hope one of their girl babies looks like their daddy; I really like his coloring. I intend to milk one of the mamas for awhile, just so I can have some goat milk. Cliff won't drink it, but I will. It's been a long time since my milking days, and I can't wait.
The billy goat does have beautiful coloring. At John's mom's estate sale there was a couple there with goats so I asked them why billy goats smell so bad. (according to you) They said it's because they urinate on themselves. Is that the only reason?
ReplyDeleteThey deliberately pee on themselves to attract the females! However, this goat is not nearly as stinky as the ones I've known in the past. Cliff and I are guessing that's because he is young, or maybe just because these are pygmy goats and are so small.
DeleteWhat a plan! Is this spoiling them? They're cute. What if both ladies get pregnant? Linda in K ansas
ReplyDeleteThat's the plan! The billy is here for 45 days. My youngest goat was bred the day after he arrived. Her mother is due to be in heat in about ten days.
DeleteHe is pretty! I was thinking that before you mentioned it; I hoped the babies would have his coloring, at least one of them anyway. It would be fun to watch them eat their clover treat. Gary and his sister do much the same on a smaller scale with their chickens; give them grass clippings. They love it.
ReplyDeleteOh; Rebecca in SW MO
DeleteThose goats certainly have you wrapped around their proverbial fingers!
ReplyDeleteThat bucket surely does make a pile of clover. Is your billy goat...um...er...fragrant?
ReplyDeleteIf I had to keep a billy goat, I wouldn't breed my does. But since he is a "borrowed" goat, just two more weeks and he will be going home. He isn't as stinky as some I've had, but I don't want one around all the time.
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