As promised

Here are a couple pictures of the newborn babies.

This is Stout

Another of Stout

This is Rueben

This is Ole White with Stout and his Sister

I will post more later.

Butch

I have one more thing to share with you. The other night it was very cold and windy out. Snow was flying and the wind was blowing very hard. All the goats went to the barn to get out of the weather with the exception of two. Dixie and her daughter Scarlett decided to stay out in one of the many sheds we have out there. I knew they would be fine in the shed so I thought I would try something just for fun, not really thinking it would work. I called Butch and Brownie down to the shed they were in and showed them the goats were in there. I talked to the dogs as if they would understand, telling them to watch after and take care of the goats, and to keep them safe. After petting them and talking to them for a little bit, I left and went inside, but kept a watch out to see what they would do. As expected, Brownie headed for the barn. Shortly thereafter, so did Butch. I kept watching out the window wondering, even hoping a little and sure enough, about 10 minutes later, Butch came back out. He went inside the shed with the goats. I watched for quite some time, and to my amazement, he never came back out. Butch spent the night in the shed with those two goats. I was really proud of him. I can't say enough good things about the dogs and this instance is one of those reasons. Needless to say, I believe in my dogs. Sometimes I really think they understand more than they let on.

Busy Busy

It's been very busy here lately. Haven't had time to do much of anything. The kids starting coming last Sunday and it hasn't let up yet. Sunday evening Ruby started things off and it has been pretty much a two a day thing every since with the exception of today. It's almost noon, and there have been three does drop already today. I think the action has come to a stop for the day though. That would be nice. I have been getting up every day shortly after 4 am to go out and check on things, feed the new mothers, make sure they have water. Then come back to the house for some coffee and a shower. Then it is off to work. I usually get home around 6:30pm, go out and feed, water and check on everything again. Then in for dinner. Check them over and hay the new mothers again around 10:30. Get a little rest, check on them around midnight and then again at 2 or so. It does get tiring after a while, but that's the price you pay if you want to do this sort of thing. I will be posting pictures of some of the newborns shortly.

Now a little about the dogs. These things are incredible. The instincts they have are so strong and they are so fun to watch. When a doe goes into labor, two of the dogs(usually Corey and Brownie) will go up and lay down real close to the mother. They actually keep the other goats away from the one in labor. It is truly amazing to watch. When the baby is born, the dogs stay real close and will even help clean the newborn if the mother will let them. The other two dogs will tour the rest of the herd and keep lookout for intruders. I know that is what they are bred to do, but it truly amazes me to watch them do it, knowing they learned it all on their own. They will get right up there and lay next to the new baby after it has been cleaned, I suppose to help keep it warm. They are so gentle with the newborns, I can't even explain it. Just to watch them lay there and lick it so softly then jump up growling at anything that comes near it. As soon as whatever they were growling at leaves, they go right back to the baby. They are a joy to watch. I have never seen anything like it.

Don't forget to tune into the next episode of: Two and a half Kings of Knots Acres.

Till then, have a great day.