Another Goatapalooza Day!

Today was a day for all the mama goats and their kids to socialize...so, Goatapoolza Day!

Nola kept Nora and Nip close

Gabby made sure she kept an eye on Gary and Gerry

Nikki was not thrilled with the wee ones "What the heck are those things?"

Lilac lets hers wander a bit.

Champagne was happy to get out and stretch her legs and see her gal-pals!

Nola supervises her wee ones exploring

Nikki stayed on her perch until the little ones went back to their pens

Another week or so and I'll be milking again. Just giving my girls time to bond a bit. I have to use some milk starter for Champagnes babies, but they have a good start.
Lilacs little guys are rough and tough. We banded (castrated) all the males except Lilac's little one, Lenny. All did okay, although Gary and Gerry, Gabby's kids, took it very personally and wailed their little heads off. Gabby got outraged and herded her boys to a corner of the pen and licked them and nuzzled them and nursed them until they calmed down.
I have already gotten calls from people wanting milk, cheese and cajeta. They will have to wait until we get our fill here!

Lady-in-Waiting No More!

Nola had her babies yesterday.
I had fed her and the other goats an hour before. My son went out and watered everybody.
I checked on all the goats, especially Nola and everyone was fine. Nola showed no signs at all of kidding.
About 30 minutes after I checked, my son took his dog out for a walk...and came right back in:
"Mom, Nola had her babies!"
No warning, no fussing, just went ahead and did her business!
One boy, one girl. We named them Nip and Nora.

Nora resting while Nip gets a bath from Mom

Hey, Mom, look, I can walk!

Nip taking a nap in the sunshine

Nora stretching her legs

Baby checking out the new kids

Baby and Nip getting acquainted

Nola had her little ones out in the yard, but after everyone was a bit settled, we moved them into a pen.
So....we have 10 kids!

A Little Bit of Down-Sizing...

As the time for us to make the *leap of faith*and move North comes closer, we decided to do a little downsizing.
So, Heloise the goose and Xander the gander, plus the three mallards---Huey, Dewey and Louie--are gone!
We traded them to the feed store for feed.
With a goat population explosion going on, we need the feed more than we need the cash!
Catching the geese was...an experience.
They shared a pen with the ducks (except Daffy). As anyone that has ducks and/or geese can tell you, waterfowl quickly turn their pens into a wet, sodden mess!
So, I was appointed official *catcher*, and my son was appointed *He who holds the feed sack*.
I attempted to catch one of the ducks first, but then Xander flanked me and bit me solidly on MY flank!
OUCH!
So, I caught Xander and shoved him headfirst into the feed sack.
Heloise was much easier.
The ducks were fast and I lost my balance (and whatever remained of my dignity) and fell into the wading pool we gave them for swimming. Still determined, I finally cornered them and got them into separate feed sacks.
I went to take a shower while the Darlin' Man took the birds to the feed store.
He brought back the feed, and I relaxed with a post-shower cup of tea.
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For those curious, the Darlin' Man did get the railroad job. He hasn't started it yet because he has to go through the railroads training school. He will start that March 17th. Until then, we have to make do on his pension and get everything ready for our big move. Not to mention...buy the house and property!
Yeah...complete chaos here!