Nigerian Dwarf Goats!

Introducing the new residents at Bloomin' Barnyard:   

Ellen & Betsy

Hans

I have been fascinated with all that I have learned about the Nigerian Dwarf breed recently.  They originate in Western Africa and it is thought that when big cats were shipped over to zoos here in America, the goats were sent along as food during the trip.  The goats that survived went on to live in zoos.  As the population increased they were eventually owned by individuals as well.  They were originally know as Pygmy goats but breeders began to recognize that within the Pygmy breed, there were two different types, the one being a more refined, dairy type.  These became the Nigerian Dwarf breed.

I became interested in owning some Nigerian's for several reason's.  They are a smaller goat and thus do not require as much space, grain and hay.  They do not give as much milk as the larger breeds but do give a lot for their size!  Since they can be bred year around, breeding's can be staggered to give a more consistent milk supply.  Their milk has higher butterfat content averaging 5% but can be as high as 10% - excellent for cheese making! 

Ellen, Betsy and Hans came to us from the Kirk family at Taste and See Home Dairy in Slanesville, WV.  They are from an excellent line of dairy breeding stock and we look forward to Ellen & Betsy freshening, hopefully in early Spring!

This post is linked to
Weekend Whatever
Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways Blog Hop
Natural Living Monday

End of Summer Goat Milk Soap Sale!

We are offering a 20% discount on the following scents from now till September 30th:

Spring Passion

Gardener's Gift

 



To receive this discount, visit us on Artfire and enter the code 20percentoff at check out!  Or, if you are local, we love visitors!

Chicks!

One of our stray hens who joined our barnyard several months ago along with a rooster surprised us by hatching 9 baby chicks this summer!  One by one as they hatched, the chicks fell down from the stack of hay bales where mother hen had been sitting on her eggs for several weeks unknown to us!  We found the cold, lonely chicks in the goat yard.  After warming them under a heat lamp and giving them some grain and water they became perky and playful!

 They provided great entertainment and amusement for my nephews, especially!

 

After they hatched, we took them back to their mother, hoping she would take them under her wing again.  No worries!  She was very protective.  Anyone who came near received a very nasty peck much to the boys dismay!

Mother Hen's protective care of her chicks reminded me of God's love for His own spoken of in Psalms.

He shall cover thee with his feathers,

and under his wings shalt thou trust.

Ps. 91:4