If you have been following me on social media, you will know that this weekend was the culmination of three and a half years of consistent campaigning for a goat. We were finally welcoming Nubian goats to our farm.
Every single celebration, when my hubby asked what I would like as a gift, I would reply “A Goat”.
Every time he came home and said, “Hey I got you something” I would respond eagerly with “I sure hope it is a goat”.
I was relentless in my pursuit of one of these hoofed beasts… and I keep the pressure one until he finally caved.
Then finally, THIS weekend, was Goat Day.
Friday night had us constructing a “Goat mobile” out of our pick up truck. Sides secured with wire, and a heavy canvas tarp over the top, with a back gate secured with a piece of lattice. Not only did I get to travel to my daughters Soccer match, but I also got to slow down traffic on the highway as my tarp flapped and fluttered on the journey.
Goat # 1 (Blackberry) was picked up in the afternoon and joined us for the journey home by ferry. Most of the locals who spotted us just said “You got a goat eh” while the tourists visiting the island were all excited and taking pictures of this strange spectacle. Blackberry is a pure bred Nubian Goat. (I am a sucker for those floppy ears)
Thankfully taking a goat on a boat was far less stressful that I thought it would be, and dear Blackberry worked the crowds!
She was welcomed to her new home, and smothered with love.
The next morning, we were on the road to get Nubian Goat #2, Hazel.
Goats are sociable creatures and need a buddy to spend their days, and purchasing two goats at the same time, of approximate same age and breed was a challenge in itself. Our girls are both purebred Nubian does, one of which has been bred and will (fingers crossed all goes smoothly) pop out a baby or two in May.
Hazel was picked up, and had a quick goat-mobile ride home, and her new “flatmate” Blackberry was brought out to greet her. She is also a pure bred Nubian goat… although a bit smaller than the other.
They bleated, and seemed quite happy to meet each other, although Blackberry spent most of that day letting the smaller Hazel know SHE was in charge. Nubian Goats will head butt and push each other about a little bit to show their dominance or even get their play on.
The girls were walked, loved, brushed and fed and tucked into bed that evening.
We have kept two Nubian goats alive and well for 2 days now, so are obviously naturals. We woke up to happy bleats this morning, and tongues pushing through the fence as the kids went to school. Both girls are already starting to show their personalities… Blackberry being a little more desperate and needy that the independent (shyer) Hazel.
I will admit, I was nervous as we approached “G-day” Much like you feel when you FINALLY decide to have a baby. While it was something I was wishing for for years, I was worried about our ability to care for these somewhat sensitive creatures. The chickens have put me through a range of anxiety and stress with their issues, how on EARTH am I going to handle GOATS? We had decided on getting a nubian goat, was it the right decision?
So far so good, and the pleasure is certainly there. As a friend said to me, “NOW you can call your place a farm!” (apparently chickens aren’t enough to call it one).
Our journey with Nubian Goats has begun! Prepare yourself for goat stories, learning and a whole lot of goat pictures!