Goats and their babies

Not only have I been able to see God in action with all these new little creatures, I have been given a look at the complete workings of a community without human intervention. It is amazing!!!  I had heard in the past that goats are very social animals but I really didn't understand what they actually meant. 

They have a well established hierarchy.  The buck is in charge of all the others.  He is the ultimate head of his household.  Then there is the queen of the herd.  In our case, we were blessed to get Munchkin, who seems to keep everyone else in line but is very protective of her charges. Everyone falls in line from there.  Some are content with your status in the herd.  Others, not so much.  They work and work (read butt and butt the others) until they move up a notch. 

What I've seen with the birth of the babies, however, takes the hierarchy to another level.  I've watched good mothers and a not such a good mother care for their babies.  Some of the mothers move into action at the slightest of whimpers.  Others, well, the baby has to scream to high heaven to get their attention.  Some will let the babies nurse at will, and another may not want to be bothered, especially when the mother is eating.  But, know this... none of the mothers will let anything harm their babies.  Not another goat or a person.  You can nearly see the love in their eyes when the mom goes to the baby in the slightest amount of distress.

So, long story short, these goats have an amazing amount of human qualities. Or is it that humans have an amazing amount of goat qualities.  After all, God made animals BEFORE He made man.  Maybe He was on to something.

More and more babies!!!

This morning, we have the pleasure of welcoming a set of triplets, all boys, into the world.  The triplets are from Dot. What an incredible mom she is! It is absolutely the greatest thing watching the babies getting to meet their mother and vice versa.  I don't think that will ever get old for me. I love to hear the little baby whimper and watch the momma run to the rescue!  One of the little boys was pawing at the ground this afternoon getting it ready for him to take a nap.  That is incredible since he was only born hours earlier and yet he knows exactly what to do!

The oldest babies have begun eating grain and the mothers are working to get them weaned.  The does are less and less tolerate of being banged on.  They do what is necessary but it seems that they are encouraging the babies to eat the grain.  Sharing isn't as much of an issue as I would have thought.  The mothers allow the babies full choice, once they have had their first few bites, that is. 

Our meat bird chicks are coming along nicely, as well.  They are eating, eating, eating, absolutely packing it away.  They've already lost the feathers twice.  They are currently in a feather regrowth period so they are not at their most attractive. But, in a few short weeks, they will look perfect!

So, in a few short weeks, life will be back to the way it was before all the babies. Well, maybe not. Maybe I'll just have to find some other kind of baby to raise. Another goose, duck, ...........