Monster Milkers!

I know this blog was created with the intention of being a sort of diary for my little farm. There isn't much inter-activity to be had with readers (not that I think many people actually read these ramblings.) But today I pose a question. Have you ever had a "monster milker", and what was your response? How did you feel about her and what did you end up doing?

I ask because I now have a "monster milker." She is the most horrid beast! I have had milkers who stomp, kick and even attempt to lay down now and then, but I've been able to work through their issues with patience and training. This girl is a total freak! She screams bloody murder the entire time I'm milking. You would think I was out there stabbing her with a knife. She repeatedly lies down, even if I put an upside down bucket under her chest or poke her with my thumb. She kicks and bucks, and I mean like a rodeo horse, constantly. Grain doesn't appease her, gentle scratches and patience doesn't get me anywhere. I've resorted to tying one hind leg to the back corner of the milk stand and that only marginally helps thing. I think she has a screw loose! I couldn't begin to tell you how much she gives me since she spills most of the milk. This morning she tossed the entire bucket.

The good news is that she is learning to lead and stand for the show pen. The previous owner said she was hopeless as far as that went. I've just given her a swat or an ear tweak here or there when she starts throwing a giant tantrum, and I've insisted she allow me to handle her rear legs. She has gotten to the point where she will stand still and allow me to position her properly. Her leading can be iffy if she doesn't want to go where you are pointing her, but a swift and sharp swat on the behind has seemed to help a great deal. She has a beautiful udder although I'm having some troubles with it being a little lopsided due to her twins favoring one side. Milking her out to empty in the evenings and trying to milk the "less favored" side a little more every morning to encourage production. I would really like to try and show her!

I picked up "Cupcake" this last week. She is adorable and such a sweetie! And she has the coolest color. She looked white in her photos, but she is actually a very pale gold with white spotting. Almost pink looking! I'll have to get photos when the weather stops being horrid. I am going to call her Winry, after a character in a show I watch. Just don't like the name Cupcake. 

-Yuna, at 1 1/2 weeks old!-

Leap Day Kids!

 Tifa kidded around 3 p.m. on 2/29 with twin doelings! Both are buckskin, which was a little surprising to me considering the colors of the parents. But it makes sense genetically looking at grand-parents. Both have blue eyes! The one with the white belt also has a tiny moon spot on her right hip near her tail. They are being called Yuna and Rikku since I am keeping to a Final Fantasy theme with Tifa's kids.

-Yuna, 1 Day Old-

-Rikku, 1 Day Old-

I am retaining Yuna. I think I found another moon spot on her left side,  peeking out of the white band. I am very excited to have a doe kid from this buck. As always, I can't wait to see an eventual udder on this girl. I'm always impatient to see if my decision keeping/buying doe kids results in a good udder. I am content to have them stay adorable, cuddly kids for now. I love my "snuggle time" with the newborns. Rikku is reserved and her new owner will be picking her up in June. My friend Wendy is already attached and she will hate to see her go. They are two days old now and already leap into my lap every time I sit in the pen. It is amazing how quickly young kids discover that humans are awesome jungle gyms and beds. Tifa is a wonderful mother with a gorgeous udder. I just can't believe how much I lover her udder! I can't thank Traci enough for allowing me to purchase this awesome girl!


-Chewy making friends with Yuna.-

In other news, I am picking Klover up tomorrow. Expect another blog entry with more pictures. Until I can get a bander to begin the slow removal of her horn, she will be my unicorn goat. I plan to name her kids after mythical creatures because of this. I don't know how stressful it is on a goat to have a horn banded, and I know there is risk of infection...so she won't be banded until after she has given birth. No need to stress her out further or endanger her kiddos. I am very excited to bring her home!

Ginny (Sugar) came up lame today. She ran through a particularly deep patch of mud to escape me when I came out to halter her...so I'm hoping she just pulled something a little. She was only lame trotting a circle to the left. Lets cross fingers that she is fine Monday when I take her out again. A problem larger than that would mean vet bills and would kill my chances of selling her should it be something that isn't easily fixable. Grrr... I forgot to check for an abscess or sole bruise, so I will do that tomorrow. Annoying, but common and treatable. So I rode Chardonnay instead today. So much energy,  but such a fun horse!


-Charry's beautiful Quarter/Arab face!-