owner/breeder because they had a troublesome virus. We purchased these two saanens dairy goats, Viola and Pan, from a nearby breeder in Virginia. Viola is 10 months old, and came to us pregnant; Pan came along for the ride because Viola needed a friend to keep her company. Pan is a wether (a fixed male). We love him, but his purpose is mostly to keep Viola company.
He sure can jump a fence--I am talking 5-6 foot high! He stays in only because he isn't happy about our dog Mia patrolling the fenceline (she wouldnt hurt him) and he wants to stay with Viola, who wants nothing to do with fence-jumping.
Pan and Viola staying out of the weather. This is just a few hours
before Viola decided to have her kids on one of those rare frigid snowy
NC days.
Ami and Pan climbing a fallen tree together.
Noah and Pan climbing. Pan misses his friend Viola--she is inside the
goat house with her babies. When the weather breaks they can come out
and play. For now, Pan finds friends in chickens,ducks and human children! Chris is
going to divide the goat house into two pens tomorrow so Pan, Viola and kids
can see each other through a fence dividing wall.
Viola and her doeling, she weighs 8 lbs and is very frisky already.
Here she is still wet just after being born.
Here she is today, 7 AM, in her favorite spot.
Viola and her little buckling. He's 6.5 lbs.
Our kids meet the goat kids!
Noah is fascinated. Viola is so sweet and trusting and calm.
Noah is so happy to be holding this little guy. He says "The mama
pooped the babies out of her belly!" I told him they "popped" out,
but he figured out in his own mind that they must have somehow
been pooped out. Or else he misunderstood what I said!?? Who knows...
Viola and her kids a couple hours after kidding. Each wears a sweater
since it is so cold outside. Unusually cold for us, even at this time of year.
Notice Viola sleeping with her nose under the doelings sweater (one of
Eden's old sleepers with the rear legs and belly cut off).
The point of all of this? Milk! Cheese! Yogurt! Handmade soap!
Lots of reading and practicing and preparing yet to do, but
looking forward to all of it.
