Goats in Winter
It has been a few weeks since I wrote and since that time the winter weather has really set in.
One reads how goats are meant to withstand the cold and wet weather but they are definitely not referring to our mollycoddled ladies.
At the first drop of rain, they huddle together and start their complaining bleats which get louder until attention is taken and they are led back inside.
They have shelter out in the field and if the rain is just a light shower I ignore their bleating crescendo and let them stand under the shed roof for the duration of the downfall.
Obviously this is not to their liking but they are goats and can withstand such weather - particularly as they can avoid the rain altogether just by taking a few steps to the side of the field where the dry shed awaits them.
Unfortunately the damp ground is not great for their feet so often they remain indoors until the grassland dries out.
In their separate pens they are quite happy and at the moment they are being entertained by the labrador puppies.
Having grown with rapid speed over the last 8 weeks, the pups are ensconced in their own area close to the goat pens. They are let out every day to run around and generally get up to mischief and the goats regard them as an amusing distraction.
As a significant part of their diet, particularly in the early days of weaning, was goats milk it seems appropriate that they repay the favour by entertaining their caprine colleagues.
On a crisp frosty morning, with bright winter sun, the goats are let out to enjoy the weather. Unfortunately rain often arrives in the afternoon but at least they have some fun running around for a few hours.
It is lovely to see the sun shine on their different coloured coats and watch them spar with each other.
The animals don’t understand the word “recession” and when I watch them I can also ignore its existence for a while.