Sunday, April 25, 2010

Finally - SPRING!

It would seem that an abundance of rain followed by a week warmed with sunshine will help kids grow as well as green grass and daffodils. We are finally seeing evidence of Spring having arrived. The does and kids have been spending the better part of their days meandering through the pasture looking for those tender new grass shoots. The kids have been watching their elders and have discovered how to pick through the grain bunk to find the sweetest kernels and pull mouthfulls of hay from the feeder appearing bored with the whole thing. Katidid, an "older" doe, stays close to the group of kids while the other moms venture out to the end of the property to graze.

J Duesy, the black buck kid turning white, is actually turning silver. More and more we see the silver undercoat pushing through. It would seem this little guy is really something special!

The girls, Lotus,Lexus and Tesla, are really blossoming as well. We would love to think that the rich, dark reds will hold, but have been down that road way too many times. As the first growth of mohair begins to push through a lighter, more subtle shade will take it's place. What shade they will end up with is always a surprise. No matter what the shade the lovely colors will make a wonderful addition to the spinning pallet.


Tesla, the last doe born, is a joy to admire with those gorgeous, ice blue eyes.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Where Is Our "Black" Going?

In all the years we have been raising goats, this is a first. Born solid, jet black, our little J Duesy is changing daily. At first we thought he was evolving into a patterned goat, but upon closer inspection we realized that the mohair he is beginning to grow beneath that black baby hair is white ... actually gray. It is the most unusual thing I have ever seen.


The smokey undercoat is consistent over his entire body. Will he end up being a "silver/white goat"?

This will warrant documenting so follow the J Duesy Evolution Chronicle on this one! If you have experienced a similar morphing, we would enjoy hearing about it ... and the eventual outcome!