Bayleaf Meadows

[Bayleaf Meadows]

Some recent photos-

Biskit looking good for the gals

Mabel getting ready to do her part to fill the milk pail

Yubi is cute as ever

Romeo hogs the feed pail with Yubi

I can never get the photo I want of our wether, Zorro.

 

[Bayleaf Meadows]

Meanwhile, in Louisville...
http://kdvr.com/2017/07/17/gang-of-goats-terrorizes-louisville-business/

Goats gone wild!

 

[Goatgirl47]

Thanks for sharing!

 

[OneFineAcre]

Now that's funny

 

[Bayleaf Meadows]

Our farm is quite small, so if you're small like us, you may find this hay storage review helpful. We want to put a carport up for hay someday, but in the meantime we are using two Suncast storage units. The tall one can hold five bales stacked one atop the other, and the squarer unit holds eight (sometimes nine if the bales are shortish). They are not hard to assemble. We put them up on a platform to allow water to go under when it rains. They are built to stay in the elements and they haven't fallen apart or developed leaks. I haven't noticed a humidity issue. A couple of cautions- kid goats might get stuck behind or beneath if those spaces are not blocked off. Also, I think the spacing on the platform slats should be tighter than what we did to prevent trapping small kids' legs. Some reviews noted that the top of the squarer shaped one can lift if it's windy and break the hinge mechanism that holds it up. But the latch can be secured with a carabiner to prevent that. I bought the squarer one at BJ's; it was $299.

 

[CntryBoy777]

A board screwed down to the edge of the pallet sould keep little hooves from getting caught, but they look fine to me....I'd keep an eye on the inside just to make sure no condensation forms with the changing temps coming in a few wks....

 

[Bayleaf Meadows]

Today, both Stella and Bella came into heat and were bred. They are sisters out of Mabel and Fortunato. Stella is a first freshener who had triplets last spring- doelings Stormy, Lightning, and buckling Thunder. Bella is a second freshener who also had triplets- Romeo, Valentine, and Rosy. Bella was placed with Biskit, our main herd sire. Everything went as planned. I paired Stella with Yubi, the OFA buckling out of Zamia and Valiant. Yubi is quite inexperienced and still on the small side, but he gave it his best. I have a question- If Stella doesn't settle with this first try, will she still flag and call during the next few days or will I have to wait to see in a few weeks if she comes back into heat? I have had trouble figuring out how to know if the breeding was successful.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Are you leaving them together for the day ?

 

[Bayleaf Meadows]

Are you leaving them together for the day ?

I usually leave them together while I do chores and observe. Then when I see the doe looking for a way out, I put her back with the herd and then will repeat in the evening.

 

[Bayleaf Meadows]

It seems that Yubi's first attempt at breeding Stella was a non-starter. She was calling and flagging today. This time around, things were better. More of the characteristic signs of success- falling off, hunching, discharge. If the timing was right, we should be in business!