I posted an album on our Facebook page with some pictures of the kids and sheep. I tried to post the link to the album, but Facebook kept saying the post no longer exists. We’re not sure if we’re selling the second batch of kids yet. They’re the nicest of the 4 we have as far as form and coloring (ignoring the white on Kaylee).
https://www.facebook.com/Seasons-of-Change-Farm-1669860343269089/timeline
I’ve been asked by a couple of prospective buyers for more buck pictures, so I figured I’d just make a post with them for easy access. 🙂 “Da boys” are 3 months old now. The vet swore she had 100% success rate with disbudding, but it doesn’t look like it. Ah, well, they’re still cute. The older goats had just finished pigging out on refilled hay bags, so they’re looking “well-rounded”. Continue reading
Both bucklings are still for sale, but their disbuddings failed. They will have scurs or horns. Their prices have been dropped to reflect that. Pictures will be posted on the sales page when I can get them.
Update: The vet looked at them and will be removing the scurs in her office next week. They will be hornless after all. If anyone wants a buck with horns, I need to know before next Monday (18th).
Both of the bred Oberhasli threw a buckling. They are both over a week old, and will be for sale. A video was posted on our little Youtube channel.
They have been named Seasons of Change Malcom (Reynolds) and Seasons of Change Jayne Cobb. Mal may already be spoken for. Hats off to those who know where the names came from. They will be registered with the ADGA.
We are now starting egg sales. Please contact us as soon as possible to be put on the list. 🙂
We may not be selling chickens or turkeys this year. There is a good chance I will be moving, but we’ll see what happens.
No one gave birth yesterday. Today while milking the alpine, I noticed the Oberhasli who wasn’t ready to give birth standing away from everyone. Watching her through the stall doors, I could see she was in labor. I put her in the kidding stall. Continue reading
I should be starting seeds now, but I have no idea if I’ll get to plant them. This coming year is up in the air, because I am in a holding pattern. The winter weather is doing me in. I am looking at land in the south, and there is a 50/50 chance of moving this coming summer if a deal goes through.
Unfortunately, for my customers and low income recipients, I have no idea if I’ll be selling eggs, milk, chickens, or turkeys this year. And that is driving me nuts.
Not mine, but I had to share. My laugh to start my day this morning:
I noticed one particular search showing up on my stat page: when are Obers in season?
I decided to answer it, since the search seems to be bringing them to this site. While I’m not an “expert” on goats, I do know the following:
Oberhasli goats have a breeding season of only a few months. It runs from about September to December. A few may run in to January, but on average the season runs from Sept.-Dec. Since bucks only go into rut a few months out of the year, some people prefer breeds like Oberhasli to avoid the “wonderful” buck aroma year-round.
Goat pregnancies tend to run about 150 days, so plan accordingly. For my area, we can have frigid temperatures, which can kill kids if one isn’t prepared, up to April. Most does are bred to kid in the March/April time frame when the temperatures become warmer. We planned for our does to be bred in November, so they kid in April. We do plan on having back-up supplies in case a doe goes early: heat lamps, kid coats, small pet carriers or build a “hut” in the barn that is heated, etc. to help keep kids warm.
Ober does go into heat about every 21 days. You can usually tell from the signs, but some does are pretty sneaky about it. The signs we’ve seen in our does include: over-friendliness (our more reserved doe is super friendly to EVERYONE); mounting each other; red and/or swollen vulvas, more-than-normal bleating (One of ours will randomly scream. Scared the crap out of me the first time she did it.); refusing grain and/or hay.
There are other signs. Once you learn your goats and their behaviors, you’ll start picking up even subtle signs. It also helps to keep a record of when they go into heat and when their next cycle is due. That helped me learn the signs for our own does.
I hope this helps those who are looking for info. 🙂
Seasons of Change Farm 