Goat Baby Boom of 2009
We’ve had 12 goats born in the past 2 weeks, and several more on the way. It seems like everywhere we look there’s a pregnant goat around here. The gestation time for a goat is about 5 months, which means all of our girls got pregnant around February, during Carnaval of course. They must have had a real Bacchanalian party that month. We have 3 stud (male) goats: Piquet, Pantheon, and Chocolate. They live separated from the females because the male’s unique scent affects the taste of the female goat’s milk. It makes the milk taste funky, in a bad way. Male goats have a particularly musky smell. To attract a female, they urinate on themselves and lick their lips. Apparently, the girl goats love this. I’m glad humans have different courting rituals.
Goats were one of the first domesticated animals. According to a great site, goat “remains have been found at archaeological sites in western Asia, such as Jericho, Choga, Mami, Djeitun and Cayonu, which allows domestication of the goats to be dated at between 6000 and 7000 B.C….Unlike sheep, goats easily revert to feral or wild condition given a chance. In fact, the only domestic species which will return to a wild state as rapidly as a goat is the domestic cat.”
Our goats are mixture of several breeds. We have Sannen, a dairy goat breed originated in Switzerland, in the Saanen Valley. Saanens are heavy milk producers and are usually white or light cream in color. We also have Nubians, which were developed in England by crossing British goats with bucks of African and Indian origin. Nubians like warmer climates, and have darker coats that can be black, red, tan or mottled. We also have Alpines, which originated in the Alps but like a variety of climates. These goats are usually a mix of black, white, and brown.
We haven’t really found an outlet for our goat’s milk yet. We’ve started making soap with it, and are experimenting with recipes. The goats’ main purpose right now is to provide us with good manure for organic compost, but we hope to have them contribute in other ways in the near future. Even goats have to earn their keep!
Themocracy
There is nothing cuter than a baby goat. Have you all considered cheese? I bet you have and you just gave me a gentle rolling of the eyes. If I can pass on any information or tips about cheesemaking after the next two months I certainly will. I’m taking courses in affinage and plan on working on two small farms with artisan cheese makers. I would be honored to contribute anything to your Brazilian homestead. Love the blog Frances. I am really thrilled for you two.
Best,
Kris De la Torre (Intelli 2007/2008)
WOW! Acabei de me dar conta que não sabia nada sobre carneiros…
You guys do have your hands full!
Enjoy : )
BTW, goats são bodes?
Oh my gosh! Kris! I’m so excited for your cheese-making courses. Are you still in Brooklyn? Thanks for your future advice, we will need it!
xoxo
Frances
Oi Isabella!
Sim, “goats” machos são bodes, e as fêmeas são cabras. Então eu não entendo porque pessoal tem mania de chamar homem de “cabra macho!”
beijos,
Frances
parabens pelas pequenas cabras-Há muitos anos tinhamos cabras-
Fiz pudim com baunilha para as crianças- Sucesso com o queijo
de cabra-O meu filho seppe teve um bode castrado que fez “arte
de circo” e morreu no ano de 18!!
abraço,
marina
Wait. those aren’t our mating rituals. that might provide some of the explanation for the responses i’ve been receiving…