A Time of Separation

Every year with the arrival of spring kids, comes the day the kids have to leave mamma and it's not an easy day . . . or two. I have to admit, I don't get personally attached to the kids I plan to sell, because it makes it harder, so I do basic maintenance and friendly interaction, and names of course, but that's as far as it goes. All I have to do is walk out the door or even stand by an open window and they know my voice and begin "talking" to me, but the day of separation, only the first one cooperates. It gets pretty rowdy from there on out. Goats are pretty savvy critters, at a fairly early age. Once a young goat knows he or she is the object of the capture, it's "no holds barred" and the challenge is on!

I am an active person, but I'm not an agile one. Goats, on the other hand, can run and jump and twist like they are spring loaded, and they land where they aim, which tends to be right outside of my reach . . . I do not have the balancing skill to shift and stretch without incurring an emergency situation. I'm a little more cautious this year after a broken arm twice last year. Not only do I have lousy balance, my landing skills are not good either! Back to the big day, which becomes a game of keep away for all the baby goats.

For all those who are considering a few goats on the homestead, here are some tips. I don't buy registered goats, as they tend to be really expensive, but also the pure breds are more prone to genetic weaknesses. I base this on Jacob building a herd in the book of Genesis, with the spotted, striped and mottled . . . Mixed breeds tend to be a little sturdier stock. Next, I keep the milk goats up wind from any bucks, which means the young bucklings have to get moved by about three months old. One of the reasons so many people think they don't like goat's milk is many goat herds do not separate the milkers from the bucks.  Once a buck begins to mature, his smell will affect the milk of all does in his vicinity or down wind.  So, all the little buckaroos get penned up to the north until they're sold.

The doelings I intend to keep stay with their moms longer, but the rest get moved to a south pen and the mommas will go to the summer pasture. Then the noise begins, which will last anywhere from an overnight to a few days, depending upon the weather and who knows what all. The big day of separation went without incident, but the homestead is a noisy place this week.