The girls pay a visit to a billy
We don’t have our own billy goat and are not keen to keep one as they can be quite unpleasant. They have a particularly strong odour that permeates everything and some can be stroppy and difficult to handle.
Last year we looked without success for a billy for the older girls and even considered AI. The process was so complicated, we abandoned it in the end and unfortunately, for the first time in years, we no longer have a regular supply of milk. That also means no cream, butter or cheese, we are having to to buy it.
This year, we are lucky enough to have access to a handsome young boer. The two younger girls paid him a visit earlier this month which we can only hope was successful. Although they look like sisters, Lulu and Betsy are actually aunt and niece. They are two and half years old but only a few weeks apart in age and although they’ve grown up together, their characters couldn’t be more different. Lulu on the right whose mother is pure white Lily, is cheeky and full of mischief. She can also be a bit of a bully to the shy Betsy, whose mother Belinda is also Lily’s mother.
If their visit has paid off, we will be delivering kids in March.
In other news we are wallowing about in mud, thanks to all the rain, and the dogs are permantly plastered in it and tracking it into the house. Roll on the snow!
Fin has had ups and downs too, and has been a bit of a worry. We are currently trying Slippery Elm powder in and effort to get his digestive system back on track. He still enjoys his walk, nevertheless, and we have to watch him constantly to ensure he’s not eating something he shouldn’t!
