Additions

The new additions to our bit of a farm have arrived. Goats. Dairy goats. Meet Feta and Brie. Feta is a saanen/nubian, in her fourth freshening (for those nongoat types, that means this is her fourth time kidding, and being in milk.) Brie is her 2 week old daughter. They are now residing in the old/new goat shed. Old, because our original occupants of four years ago, Jack and Jill, used to reside there. New, because it has been upgraded. Sheeted inside with OSB, hay feeder, full view glass door, and a great milking stand designed by my husband that folds up against the wall for space saving.

The decision to get a milk goat was made for a practical purpose. Isaiah. Isaiah has been battling ear/nose/throat/lymph node problems, but since we have taken him off all cow dairy, he is doing much better. It doesn't hurt that he absolutely loves goat milk. We have made him an appointment to get tubes in his ears in two weeks, but wanted to avoid the more invasive adenoidectomy. We'll see how it pans out. In the meantime, you'll find me in the little green shed every twelve hours, doing my best milkmaid impression. Sheep experience has me much less overwhelmed. I've eyed up Feta's udder, and it appears much more approachable then Pamela or Shrek's (whom you loyal blog followers may remember had a bit of milking last spring to provide for little Cream.) Paulette, whom we purchased the goats from, said that it took her about five minutes to milk Feta in the morning, so I'm giving myself 20 minutes.

My only apprehension to the goat milk was my first taste of store bought goat milk. It tasted like goat to me, but Isaiah loved it, so we were going ahead with it. Well, after tasting fresh goat milk, I am sold. It had no goat flavor, and tasted wonderfully creamy.

Cheese anyone?