Idgie and Ruth got to experience "ears" today with their bat wings Halloween costumes. Of course they both behaved wonderfully as expected. However we've come to the conclusion the real reason LaManchas don't have "normal" ears is because they ate them. 😆 🤣 Happy Halloween farm friends! 🎃 👻 🐐 🎃 👻🐐
This is one of my favorite times of year to goat walk. No bugs and perfect temps. I'm looking forward to the winter walks- happy these guys keep me active even in the cold!
I love that the goats get the option to be inside or outside. As you can see, they'd much rather be outside right now. Even though it's cold, the sunshine feels nice and there is still plenty of vegetation to browse! Once the sun goes down, they put themselves to bed in the barn for the night. Not only is this healthier for the goats, but it saves on time (having to always fill hay feeders and clean the barn) and money (hay usage). Win win!
This goat. I'm always talking about how much I love her. I guess she kinda likes me too. She has a permanent place in my herd. ❤
Happy goats.
I could watch these guys browse for hours. One of the advantages of free browsing is that the goats can consume a wide variety of plants with a wide variety of nutrients.
Confined goats rely on the feeding protocol that is established by their caretaker to provide them with the necessary nutrients to thrive. And although the technology and knowledge to provide the proper nutrition has come a long way, the goat nutrition world still isn't as advanced as other livestock or pets.
When a goat can freely browse an area with a variety of vegetation, they are better able to provide their bodies what it is needing at that time while also providing mental enrichment for them.
Of course there are so many other factors that go into play but if you have the ability to let your goats browse like this from time to time, try it out!
You can't hear it in the video but the thunder was rumbling as the storm moved in. Relaxing evening!
Just doing what goats do!
Sometimes I think this farm was made specifically for goats. They have an abundance of browsing and trees to climb in their little slice of Goatlandia. It makes me happy seeing them explore and do what goats do.
Goating the land ❤
The great part about goats is that they utilize the land in ways many other livestock species do not. Just look at how they have cleared this area of the pasture. This is the 2nd full summer they have been in this area and are transforming it each year. Sure, the cattle and horses will trample it, but they won't use it as food.
A brief snapshot of a typical morning milking with our goats! As you can see, they are anxiously awaiting at the gait for me and readily run into the milk room and up onto the milk stand for their breakfast. They get to eat a dairy goat ration while on the stand and as soon as they are finished, they get release from the stand and get some animal crackers for snacks.
After that, we make our way to the kid barn (but not without stopping for a quick animal cracker snack). Because our kids are dam raised, the does keep back milk to feed to their kids. I let them into their respective stalls where their kids get their morning breakfast from mom.
Overall, it's a pretty smooth process once everyone gets into their routine. And in the end, we're blessed with some delicious milk to consume put into the freezer for soap making!
Windy's quads
These 4 were definitely feeling the bouncies tonight. 😍
Goats doing what goats do.
One of my favorite spaces to spend with the goats. They keep so busy browsing, climbing and wandering that all you hear is the munching and the birds chirping.
Happy little babies
Missed these guys (and the farm) while I was out of town for a few days. They are so much fun!! 😍
Babies
Each night the dams are separated from their kids. The kids get to practice some independence and herd life with other kids. Last night we enjoyed the weather and started teaching the kids to follow me. Soon the bottle babies will be joining this little group!
First babies of the 2022 year!
2022 kidding has officially begun....Miss Ruth never likes to be outdone by the Nigerian Dwarf does. Once again she's the first to drop kids for the season. Two mini LaMancha doelings for miss Ruth.
Two more does to go this week.
Sweet sunshine
Feels like spring today doesn't it? Too bad it's going to get cold again but days like today are a nice reminder we're not too far off!! Every critter at Shady Oak is enjoying the sunshine today. 🌞 🐐 🐔 🐎
Happy goats
This is the most relaxing spot in the barn right now. Just resting on hay bales watching the does happily pig out on breakfast. There are 3 other pens with goats currently but this one is my favorite to watch. Lots of pregnant does in there.. some due to kid in March. ❤ 🐐
Clara
Farm food for thought:
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You may often hear that goats will eat anything. Don't be fooled. The goats are actually our pickiest eaters here on the farm. When buying hay from new hay dealers, we have to buy one or two bales first to test it out with the goats before buying a whole load. They will pick through their hay as well so to avoid waste, we do our best to feed "leftovers" to the horses, who are more than happy to clean it up!
Goats are browsers unlike cattle and horses who are grazers. Although they will graze on grass, they would much rather browse leaves, brush and trees - heads up! Because they will eat things that appear less "desirable" than your lush pasture grass, they get the reputation to eat anything.
Goats are also ruminants, similar to cattle. Here is miss Clara in her baby bump glory regurgitating and chewing her cud (ruminating).
Clara
The cats know where it's warm. Clara's tummy is a favorite place for all the barn kitties.
This goat...
This goat. 🐐 🤣 🤦♀️
Evie is our LaMancha x ND cross. She is always keeping things entertaining at Shady Oak.
Handcrafted Goat Milk Soap.
Made in Forest City, IA.
Find us online or in local shops in Forest City, Fertile and Osage!
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