We’ve had a number of people say they’d like to support us and our efforts! We’re thankful for each of You!
Many aren’t sure the best way to support us, or want to help, but can’t afford a lot. We fully understand! Absolutely we do! These are tough times for all of us.
To help provide a simple way for you to support us is to “Buy Me A Coffee”! Sounds funny! Right?
Well, it’s pretty neat actually…
Not just because some people buy me a coffee, but because the “Buy Me A Coffee” program allows us to setup membership or contribution levels that meet most budgets, help our budget, and allows you to choose a level of support that you’re comfortable with. While at the same time allowing you to Choose to Sponsor a Chicken, Duck, or Goat!
Ok, so, I’m tired, I’m stressed, and I finally have a better understanding of what my Dad, Vic Hurlburt Sr., used to experience when he had sheep! Although We don’t have Sheep…
We have Goats! Only four adult does at the moment. One had two kids on July 6th. The other three are due to freshen within the next couple weeks.
Now, in fairness to my Daddy, who passed in 2013, but I think still keeps an eye on us, He had as many as 300 Sheep! So, my keeping vigil over three to four pregnant doe Goats… Certainly doesn’t compare!
Although it’s basically the same process. Hurry up and wait! The three who are currently still pregnant, I think, are Eve Our Saanen Goat, Sophie, and Ella.
Ella is a little to young, not really, but under normal circumstances I would have waited a year or so before breeding her for the first time. As it is she got bred at 10 months. So, hopefully, will be freshening for the first time, this month at 15 months. She has been showing signs of late stage pregnancy for nearly a week now! Goop, Pawing, Bedding, and yesterday I am pretty sure she had a bout of early contractions. Yet, still no movement!
Sophie is about 8-9 years old, she’s a complete sweetheart around people, and we even had her walk with us in the Bear River Cherry Carnival. She’s usually very friendly and almost wants to cuddle, and the past day or so she’s becoming more distant. Laying down, getting up, and while she still came to greet me this morning she just seems a little off. It’s funny how different goats act different when they’re getting close to giving birth.
Eve, she’s my Sweetheart. We got her last March at supposed age of 11 years. Most only live till 11 or 12 years. Eve was still in milk after two years when we got her. I continued to milk her through November. She’s a gentle, loving lady, who loves to be milked. She’s actually older than we like to breed, but I’m really hoping to have a little doe to carry on her line.
All in all it’s fun, but it’s also kind of nerve racking. With Ella being young, and Eve being old, it’s a concern. The kids are going to be born on Woodland pasture. So, even worried a bit about predators.
The kidding season for us should be over by month end, thankfully, as the does were exposed to a young Buck for six weeks in February and March.
With all this going on, we’re probably crazy to do Tours, but it’s really the best time of year! We have lots of Babies, Bunnies, Chicks, Ducklings, Goat Kids, Kittens, and more!
We actually enjoy doing Farm Tours, and we don’t charge at this point, but we are open to Donations which help pay for feed.
I love finding time to spend with our girls and kids. At this point we just have the two Kids. Although we are still expecting more!
This video shows their Woodland Pasture, we practice Silvopasture techniques here at Briden Farm. Creating Woodland Pastures, or pasturing animals under trees.
On the 6th of July, our Nigerian Dwarf Goat Doe, Nanna, freshened and gave birth to Terry and Romeo. A little Doeling and a little Buckling. You’ll see how they’re progressing in this video. They’re doing great, been eating grain, hay, grass, shrubs, bark, and so on, since they were just weeks old. Nanna still nurses them, but has them pretty nearly weaned.
Our other three Girls, Saanen Goats, spent six weeks with a small young Saanen Buck for six weeks in February and March.
The gestation period for Goats, the period from the time a doe is bred till she freshens (gives birth) is about 145-155 days. The little Buck we had breed our Saanen Does was here till March 27th. So, any kids being born, should happen by August 29th. Although most Goats average 150 days, so we hope to have all three Does giving birth within the next two weeks. Although I still find it difficult to tell exactly when… kind of like the Second Coming! We may know the signs and the season, but only the good Lord himself knows the hour! 😉
Now would be a great time to book a Farm Tour to see our babies, goats, bunnies, chicks, and more!
Call Brian at Briden Farm to Book Your Farm Tour.
902-907-0770
