Goats like to go out browsing

Goats are creatures who feel the cold and hate the wet, so it has to be a fine, dry day for them to have a walk outside.    The leaves are dry and crackly now and this is just how they like them, there is still plenty of browsing.   They are foraging on the long grass, the nettles and especially the blackberries, which are their all time favourite food.

Shown here is Belinda, in the front and Biscuit is in the background.  These two are very good friends and have been in the sanctuary for several years.   Both were rescued from the meat market.  Many goats are still being sold for ritual slaughter which is legal in the U.K.  We’ve been campaigning against this for many years.

Both Belinda and Biscuit will be mated later this year.  They haven’t had any kids since last year.   We do breed the goats every other year as they are prone to develop hormonal problems and cystic ovaries if they don’t have kids from time to time.   When our goats do have kids we allow them to suckle and stay with their mommies till they are grown up.

We have a new male goat kid called Odi, and he will be the stud goat from now on.  Odi is a pedigree Anglo-Nubian (desert goat originating in Biblical times).   We are keeping him away from the girls for the time being as we don’t want kids too early.   Goats are pregnant for five months so if they are mated too soon they’ll be having their little ones when the weather is still bad.   Spring is a good time for goat kids, so Odi will have to wait a little while!