One of my long time dreams, when it comes to goats, is to be able to sit o a hillside and milk a goat. I realized that dream a few days ago! It was a misty morning, the sun just breaking through, and the hill was overlooking the work the goats and pigs have been doing at The Barn Property. Unfortunately I didn’t get a video of that!
However, today, the Barn Property owner, Cheryl was there and did the following video of us milking …
We use our Briden Farm Goats, Pigs, Chickens, and Bunnies to help rid the area of invasive weeds, like Japanese Knotweed, Goldenrod, and Lupines. The animals do an incredible job, as seen in the photo above. Not only do they do a good job getting rid of weeds, the disturbance they cause the vegetation and soil helps to regenerate the land as is evidenced by the green grass that emerges after the animals pass through, as we rotate their pasture.
If you’d like more information on how our Briden Farm animals work and the results, we do have testimonials and would love to talk to You. Contact Brian at Briden Farm 902-907-0770.
Although You wonder if you have the money? The Time? The Space? The “Know How”! Right?
While I think some things need to be adjusted for the local area, and these times when costs are skyrocketing, I found this article by PetKeen to be helpful…
“Total Monthly Cost of Owning a Goats $20–$150 per month”
I’m glad they also state that, “The low monthly cost is one of the perks of owning a goat, and if you’re willing to put in the hard work yourself, there’s no reason that you need to spend more than $20 to $25 a month caring for them.”
Now, that really doesn’t include the cost of fixed costs like housing, pasture, fences, and so on. These days that can come in anywhere from a few hundred dollars to thousands!
Then there’s the time and care that goes into keeping Your Goats. It’s funny, the way things work! Generally if we have the money, we don’t have the time! Right?
Now, what if I told You there’s a way You can!
What would You say if I told You there is a place where You can have a Goat, have it fed, housed, and pastured, all for about $30 a Week!
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.
