About Goats

(The following is some of my private correspondance with another homesteadblogger.)

Original message from DuncanFarm:

Hello, Purewater: Thank you for the welcoming message and taking the time to comment. I enjoyed reviewing your blog and the photos of your new goat. We were blessed by the patient assistance of several goat owners along the way who taught and showed us the ’ropes’ as we encountered the various problems; I always enjoy trying to share what we learned along the way when it might be of assistance to someone else. If it will not offend you, I would like to offer a caution regarding the horns on your new Nubian (or Nubian-mix) wether. It is not uncommon in a meeting of goat owners to have several there who have been severely injured by Nubian horns; either by a broken cheek bone, a damaged eye or a puncture wound. Your goat will double his size, and so will his horns. They have significant neck strength and the horns can be quite damaging when they suddenly throw their head back; and, they can use the horns offensively as well. Children hugging alongside the neck of the goat can inadvertantly be injured by those horns. Especially because of my children, I long ago decided not to have any horned goats on the premises. We disbud all our kids within the first 7-10 days. I’m not trying to be an alarmist, but I would ask you to please advise all your children to be cautious around those horns. If you don’t feel that I’m sticking my nose in your business, feel free to ask me any questions you might have regarding the goat’s health or any disease indications. The link I added to my blog is to one of the best websites on the Internet for goat raising and health info. How are your goat’s hooves? Have they been trimmed? Has anyone shown you how to trim their hooves? Okay; I’ll leave you alone now …….. Yah bless…….George
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George,

Thanks for the advice about the horns. So far he has not seemed aggressive at all, but I’ve told the children to be very careful. I hate the thought of sawing his horns off at this point in his life(seems that it would be painful for the goat), but we will do it if it becomes a problem.

Do you think it looks like he has some Nubian blood in him? All I know is that he is just a scrub goat. The goats he came from were just used to clear the hillsides and, on occaison, for meat.

I’m glad you mentioned the hooves. We hadn’t put any thought into that. I’m not even sure what to be on the look out for or how to trim them if they need it. I’ll have to do some research in that area.

You wrote an interesting post today. I’ve never heard of basing the Sabboth on a solar calendar, but it sounds like it would make more sense than arguing about whether it should be Saturday or Sunday! Personally, my family has always worshipped on Sunday, the first day of the week (based on our calendar), and try to keep it as a separated day unto the Lord. I’ll have to look into the solar calendar sometime when I get a chance!

Have a great day and God bless.

Eric