Fiber, Fiber Everywhere!

This weekend was, what I consider to be, the opening of the 2010 Fiber season. The High Desert Wool Growers host the now annual Fiber Market Day in Prineville, Oregon. What started out years ago as a sparsely attended event put on by a group local wool growers is now a highly attended and much looked forward to market venue. There were vendors from near and far; wool fleeces, piles of colorful mohair locks, braids and balls of yummy roving, demonstrations, yarns, spinning equipment, pelts, hats, sweaters, socks, fiber artists of all kinds, spinning, felting, weaving and of course the wonderful animals themselves.

It was a sunny day and we were all anxious to get out of the barns and see what everyone had been doing all winter. As you walked down the isles friends engulfed each other in hugs as though they hadn't seen one another for decades. On or under every table and display was a potential project, a new toy, a bag of luscious fiber, a skein of intoxicating yarn we just had to have. Among the "Ooos" and "aaahs" all senses were called into play as people looked, touched, felt and smelled the wares. I was lucky enough to have both my girls home and with me for much of this day. It seemed to me that it was not only fun but profitable as a steady stream of fiber enthusiasts made their way through the two buildings and animal pens. It was good to be among fiber folk again - it was a good way to start the season!

Back on the farm, we look forward to a week or so of preparing for the next wave of kidding. We have 3 does due about the same time; around the 8th. Until then, I begin packing for the next fun event. The Central Oregon Goat Association will be hosting the 9th Annual Goat Jamboree in Bend on April 17th and I am leading a couple of classes. For a nominal fee you get to participate in as many classes as you can register for covering all things "goaty". As we have Angora goats, for years we have been welcomed and included by this goat group (which used to focus exclusively on dairy goats). This year topics will include basic maintenance, kidding, nutrition, cheese making, weaving, felting and many more. For information contact COGA2010@aol.com . It is always a fun and educational event.

A Week To Enjoy

We have a little break before the next kidding "wave" comes in early April and we are taking full advantage. Resetting the kidding pens, cleaning out transitional areas and watching the little ones. The weather has cooperated giving us warm sunny days with frosty nights. The kids have joined the band/herd and are learning that quick is smart and smart stays close to mom.

The re-introduction of a new family unit can be difficult and stressful; both to doe and kids as well as those of us having to watch. I am often tempted to turn them out and leave for the day so my heart doesn't stop every time someone gets butted, bitten or stomped on while innocently suckling the wrong teat or getting too close to a yet-to-be-mom's space. Eventually, they figure it all out. They learn to spin and run when they hear the grunt or growl and with very few exceptions, everyone finds a way to coexist harmoniously.

As the green grass begins to peek above the dead brown leavings of winter, the older girls start venturing back out into the pasture in search of that sweet tidbit they know must be out there. There is usually one doe that hangs back close to the group of kids lounging in the sun-warmed dirt or playing on the kid condos and ramps. We find ourselves leaning on our rake or pitchfork, taking a moment to enjoy to frolicking; king of the mountain, follow the leader, mock fighting. It is the way they begin to find their place among their peers. Jaguar, a black buck kid has awakened from his nap and wants sister, McLaren, to play. So, he paws at her head until she reluctantly gives up her spot in the sun to chase him around the stump. Lotus and Lexus, the twin red does tag team the much larger J Duesy, a singleton black buck kid, who easily knocks them both off the kid condo. Aston and Martin, the white brother and sister, seem to always be pushed off of everything having not quite found their legs yet. Well, maybe they've found them but still lack a bit of control. After all, they are the youngest. Their time will come soon - then they too can experience being king of the mountain - for a moment anyway!

From the distance, a mom calls and everyone freezes, listens and suddenly go scampering off. It must be good to fill your days sleeping, eating and playing. I think that will be my goal for this coming week. It is Spring Break and playing with kids and fiber is good for the soul!

The Illusive Black . . . Is Back!

Years ago we decided we wanted to breed lovely, deep red goats. We were lucky enough to have access to some great genetics and proved to be quite successful at it. So successful in fact that it became difficult for us to get anything but shades of reds and brown. Year after year we worked at getting black into the band with only occasional success. We used bucks who "always bred black" and got red. We used black bucks - and got red/brown, light red or white. Now, I think I have a pretty good handle on the genetic theory behind colored angora goats, but black made only a cameo appearance on our farm. That is ... until now. So far this year we have kidded 4 does, have 7 kids on the ground and 3 are black. All were sired by a black buck, a wonderful character, named Jet Li.

This evening, a light red (actually almond colored) doe named Makayla gave birth. Makayla's mom was a dark mahogany colored doe bred to a light red buck named Whado. Makayla's fleece has always been a favorite whether in locks, roving or yarn. Fine, lustrous and full of character, it is a joy to work with. Today she proved her worth, again, by presenting us with not only twins, but black twins! Covered in tight little black pin curls these were two big kids; with long ears and legs that go on forever. They were up and chasing mom almost immediately looking for supper. First born was a big buck quickly followed by the even larger doe. Matching bookends and I don't mind admitting that I am almost giddy with joy.
Thanks Makayla, you made our day!

Record Time

Saturday, late afternoon, in a remote corner of the goat pasture, Monroe, a white color factor doe found an out-of-the-way spot to give birth. Hubby commented as she walked away from the group (as they often due just before giving birth) and not 10 minutes later we went out to check and there they were; two kids, rolling in dirt while mom watched over them. Why do they always pick the yuckiest spot to kid?

Although we try not to intervene at this stage, temperatures were dropping fast and we thought it prudent to get them into the barn where she could clean them up and all would be safe. Newborn kids have little tolerance for icy winds and temps in the 30s. Half an hour later, we checked the barn finding her diligently cleaning and softly muttering, encouraging them to nurse. One kid was sitting like a puppy, still pretty slimy and clearly chilled. We immediately saw that his back feet were a bit curled "backward" and decided to take him in and check him out. We cleaned off the sack remnants and blew him dry. He was quite vocal and very willing to seek out something, anything, to suck on. His little back feet were definitely pulled back and needed to be stretched out. So, I went to the barn to get some "groceries", hubby massaged the kid's feet while curled up in front of the heater and soon after the little guy got a Bo-Se shot. He gladly took the warm milk and within about 15 minutes of walking on an area rug had pulled one foot forward and the other was almost there. So, back to the barn, to mom and sister he went for his first night of life.

Now, the real surprise was that this doe gave birth to two white kids. Her sire is was a registered white buck and her dam a deep mahogany red from the red/black/brown gene pool. She should have thrown color based on our past experience. But, for the second time, bred to different bucks, she threw white. I suspect that she is homozygous white.

A quick check on everyone this morning revealed all to be content and well. Both kids have beautiful, solid blue eyes. We are hopeful they will hold. One more doe due this weekend and then a break until early April. This will give us some time to enjoy the new families and get the barn ready for the next wave. You know Spring has arrived when you look out your window to see kids of all colors bouncing around and vaulting off blocks and rocks placed for their entertainment (and ours!)

New Kids On The Blog/Block

My husband and I have been raising Colored Angora Goats since 1993. We have had upwards of 45 goats at the most and as few as 3 when we started. We have settled on 15 being a good and manageable number and do our best to keep it there. Over the years we have focused on different traits to improve on; color, size, fiber quality, conformation and production levels. We occasionally attend and participate in breed shows, fiber market day events, conferences and seminars. We have learned to shear, birth, spin and weave the mohair fiber our wonderful goats produce and even a bit about genetic heritability (we think of it more as a study of "best guess" outcomes). We get great satisfaction in taking our product full circle.

After several years of out crossing our colored does to quality registered white bucks to improve lock style and character while reducing micron, we had a pretty "vanilla" band of goats. (band is the official terminology for a group of goats - herd is just as acceptable in today's vocab). We were most certainly ready to get some of our rich color back; black, brown, mahogany, silver and taupe. Kidding time has arrived and we enter the barn each day holding our breath.

This has been a good week. Right on schedule our oldest doe, Katidid, presented us with gorgeous, red twin does. Although it is difficult to judge what color they will actually grow up to be at this point - what we see today is kid hair and will eventually shed out - we remain forever hopeful. Mom and babies are doing well and looking forward to sunshine and Spring - soon, please!

Two days later our second doe brought an unbelievable, curly, black buck into our world. He was a singleton, a big boy and 110% buck. Mom, Sole, is a blond first-timer with incredible, fine fleece who did a great job getting him on the ground all on her own and is proving to have stellar mothering instincts. This is a trait we insist all of our breeding does have.

So far, so good. Two down and seven to go! Every day is an adventure on a goat farm. Each goat is an individual, a character in their own right.