Good fences make good neighbors . . . That’s the saying. I figure if I am going to try to have goats and neighbors, I should make sure my fencing is in order. I’m not sure if we are stressing our neighbor out or providing him with some solid entertainment. Probably a little of both.
Well, I thought we were a long way off from critters – but as always, plans change. We are looking into some goats. For our first attempt we are looking for less expensive, cute, don’t have to be registered, weedeaters. We can’t really work around a milking schedule from an hour away, so let’s just try these first. Jennifer brought up a significant fact the other day. In all of our family, me and my husband, our grown kids and spouses – not one pet between us! Not even a gold fish! This should be interesting. At some point we will probably work up to registered goats, chickens, cows, donkey, ducks, and a horse. You know, a full barn. But for now, we are looking for a few good starter goats. Don’t want babies right now, don’t want milk, don’t want to send them to freezer camp (best stolen euphemism ever!) – we just need a little livestock to be able to say we are a farm. We have 20 or so more acres that need to be cleared. I figure that is a win, win situation. Hey cute little goat! I’ll love you, give you a nice warm cozy barn with good bedding. I’ll give you clean water and protection from predators. I’ll be really nice to you and not mistreat you. In return, could you just eat weeds? Cool!
I’m not sure we are ready, but we think that is the next step. We will see. The comedy content of the blog may increase significantly!
Now back to goat-safing the barnyard. That other saying is: The best way to make a fence goat-proof is to make it water-tight! Oh, I don’t think we will make that standard! But the workforce is pretty good!
One day we will have “pretty” fence. Either the kind with four boards and a nice paint job or at least a top board and wooden posts with a nice paint job. Working hard to avoid “fence envy”! I figure if the good book says not to covet my neighbors wife and all that, it probably means I should stop staring longingly at the beautiful black four board fence across the road and wishing! For now, I’ll be happy with fencing up, gates in place, new and old, and a nice entrance to the “farm” part of the property. It’s getting there. And, if by some miracle we are able to keep the goats in and keep happy neighbors – that is a plus!
brandnewfarmers 