2 became 20

The weekend kidding bonanza is over! Everyone survived, us included. We managed to get the milking machine up and running and disbudded our first 2 batches of kids. Now the pasteurizer is buzzing away and the bottles are washed and ready to refill. We're dam raising most of this years buck kids- they will then be sold as 4H projects, pack wethers or used for meat. 

                                    

Isadora kicked things off with triplets. A sundgau buck, a sundgau doe and a belted sundgau buck. The boys are nursing off of mom and the cute little doe has moved in with the "big kids". 

   

   

   

Chicory had twins, a large sundgau doe and a pied(?) buckling who is split right down the middle- black front half, white rear half. The doe kid will probably be staying put here at Capra Lane, the buckling is staying on mom.

   

                                   

Sofia thankfully did not give a repeat performance of last years disastrous birth- she easily delivered a giant hulk of a chamoise buckling followed by a more petite chamoisee doeling who will be retained as well.

                                     

He really is big- as large as our 2 week old togg kids, in this picture there is a normal size doeling completely hiding behind him.

     

Charlotte had the weirdest and slo-o-o-w-e-s-t birth of the day- and when all was said and done she had a large single sundgau buckling who will be a future pack goat. Hopefully her milk production will be as high as ever despite having a single kid.

Can-Can-Carolina did a super fast stop drop roll and deliver and had 2 sundgau kids, one buck, one doe who we are planning to retain. Charlotte's boy pictured in the middle. I guess this means our sundgau herd is growing?!?

  

Rounding out the weekend was Gemma, who was bred to a togg for convenience since the only accessible saanen buck here is her sire. She kept things fair and had 2 bucks, one of each type.

                                         

Everyone is settled in and enjoying this spring-like weather. The girls would like a chance to show off their slimmed down figures.

                                     

Elliott is still crazy. She limped for a few days after removing the cast and splint, her hock (back knee joint) was quite weak after being immobilized for so long. I was secretly a little happy that she was a little sore, I thought it may slow her down a bit. Nope. Up and over the gate. Twice. Sigh...

     

Lots of cuteness here.

     

Saanen is still a sable. Saanen on the left...

     

Sable on the right. 

     

Late night barn checks mean the lights are staying on around the clock. Which means the chickens are producing even more eggs! We're going to need another refrigerator. I've been googling quiche and soufflé recipes and eating lots of egg salad. 

                     

And the rooster is crowing. Non stop. All day. All night. 

Next project is to read about alfalfa species and plan our planting schedule. And to fill bottles. And wash bottles. Always washing bottles...

Lastly, this face. . . . .