I've Gone Country A blog about a city girl learning a whole new world

Feeding our precious little angels can get a little overwhelming to say the lest.  The bigger they get….the harder it gets.

Viola is the vocal one of the group, and boy does she bellow.  When she thinks it is anywhere near time to eat….she begins her serenade.  She is also my little escape artist.  She slips out every now and then.  However when you put her right back in….she usually stays…unlike Lucy used to do.  Lucy was stubborn….she would go right back to the spot she was able to get out of…and do it over and over and over.  I would have to immediately fix that spot….then she would work her way down the fence row until she found another area where she could do it again.  I can’t blame her….I would have done that too.  It seems she has finally gotten to PLUMP now.   Hallelujah….  Viola just seems to find a way out because she wants to come see you…but if you put her back in, it is like she says…alright then…I will go do something else.

Billy helps me with the goats a LOT.  He usually feeds the older ones every morning, before he takes his walk.

They all know the routine and wait at the gate….and not patiently either….

It is near impossible to get into the fenced area without someone……. or everyone slipping out!  Here Lucy is about to make a break for it.

Once in….they all follow him to the feed trough….even the babies.  The babies aren’t real impressed with that feed though….so they head back with him…waiting for a bottle.

Meanwhile, I get the bottles ready.

These are 20 ounce cola bottles and Pritchard Teat Nipples….that fit nicely on most soda bottles.

I warm milk…..

We have tried a variety of ways to feed all these hungry babes.

I have fed them with four bottles, but most of the time I just fill up two 20 ounce bottles and feed two goats at a time, half a bottle each.  That gives them 10 ounces.  Then I put them back in the fence and take out two more and give them both the second half of the bottles.  I have weaned Lucy off….so no more milk for her.  She is browsing a lot…her tummy stays tight.  From what I read they aren’t supposed to look like they just ate a basketball….but often…. she does.  So, I have to keep an eye on her.  Since she was the runt she is still little in size.  Her mother is not a big goat…so Lucy may stay on the small side.

Anyway, the system of feeding two at a time works great…the only problem is getting just two out of the gate.  If you go in the fence than they all jump up on you and nudge your legs.  There is no way that any of them are going to let the other one eat in peace.  They nudge the bottle right out of the mouth of the one eating.  It is a NIGHTMARE!!!!!!  I come away from a feeding with muddy little foot prints all over my jeans….and still not have even fed anyone yet.   The smell of goat and dried milk is a new perfume I seem to wear these days.

I was so aggravated one day that I almost sat down and cried.  (Crying somehow usually makes things better) I felt like a mother of quadruplets.  I shared my hectic feeding experience with Billy….and that made his wheels turn.

Soooooo…..he created the “POWER FEED”.

Ahhhhh…..now that helps!!!!!!  There is some tweaking that has to be done….but it is a SWEEEEET system.

Everybody’s happy…..especially ME!

He’s so smart!!!!!