The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Grassmonster on August 30, 2010, 04:22:49 pm
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Due to a relationship breakup, it's looking increasingly likely thaat I may have to rehome my goats. I've moved out of the house into a caravan behind the goatshed on my friend's farm but winter is approaching and since I don't drive, I will be increasingly having to rely on friends to get in hay and straw for me. While friends may be willing to do this on an emergency basis, I can't expect them to do this long-term. Unless something unforeseen drops out of the woodwork, I will have to part with them all. I have:
1. John - 7 year old entire Golden Guernsey billy - lovely nature, not destructive, will stay in the vicinity of his girls without going berserk or trying to jump in with them even when they are in season.
2. Merlin - 3 year old horned British Saanan X GG wether - again, nice nature
3. Iolo and Dylan - Two two year old disbudded British Saanan X Golden Guernsey wethers - preferably to go together - lovely softies
4. Emlyn - four year old BS x GG wether - huge,tall and loves cuddles - never butts or prats - wonderful with children
5. Eira - ten year old BS x Toggie - had decided to retire her this after producing this years kid - has been a very good milker and could be put in kid again - just felt she deserved retirement.
6. Nia and Lowri - twin sisters BS x GG - Nia kidded last year and has been a prolific milker. Lowri kidded this year and is also a very good milker - both have been dried off because I have no-where to store milk or make cheese in the caravan
7. Arianwen and Rhiannon Eira's and Lowri's kids from this year. If mums are anything to go by, should be good milkers.
8. And finally, Kes - pet only - rescue goat that I kidded once and she was a very poor milker. Character-wise, she's my favourite and parting with her will be hardest. She has "attitude" but she actually likes attention - prefers humans to other goats and likes a hug. Will play the "up on the back legs" goat games with me but never makes contact - usually a prelude to a hugging session.
None of the goats are registered except Eira .
Good loving homes essential - wethers NOT to go for meat. Would rather PTS at home.
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I am so sorry that you are in this position with your goats. I downsized my herd a while back, and still have not got over it. It broke my heart to part with my goats, so I know how you are feeling.
I am sure there must be a way round this, to get your hay and straw. Surely, there is someone who sells it, who is happy to deliver it - ok, you may have to buy a set amount to make it worthwhile them delivering, but worth thinking about? And perhaps just part with some of them, not all? That would lessen how much hay you would need delivering, but at least you would have some goats still.
If I was closer, I would do my best to help with your hay and straw delivery, but at the moment I am in Derbyshire (possibly relocating to Scotland soon)
Really hope you can sort things out for your goats, and if not, they get good homes.
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I'm sorry to hear this, it must be upsetting for you. But Roxy's suggestion about delivery is a good one. We get hay delivered from a local farmer, but we do order two of those huge round bales at a time. But if your goats are like mine they get through it in no time! I'm not in the postition to take more goats unfortunately. :( Hope you sort it out.
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Because I'm on someone elses property, large scale storage is a problen and out locals only deliver in larger amounts which I can't store. The whole thing is heartbreaking - they are sort of extended family - especially Kes - but long-term, I see no alternative. I also have to sell my horses and pigs (piggies too old to breed for the first time - ex wouldn't let me have a boar when they were old enough - 2 huge friendly Tamworths) - I'm frightened for their future - no use as breeders - Florence and Rosie are pets now and I foresee having to have them PTS. Finances and living circumstances dicatet that sooner or later I'll have to do something drastic - I have no electricity where I am and winter is heading my way. Can't afford a flat whilst paying out livery bills and feeding the hords hence the caravan but I'm not getting any younger and can't continue to live like this indefinately.
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hi,my name is fran and i have just started building up my 4 acre 'mini farm'!!lol..we have mini shetlands and some pigs,ive had goats before and was looking to get some more now i have the land...how much would you want for all of them if you do decide to rehome?i have room for retired ones and am not wanting any for meat!!i have rescued/retired shetlands and pigs and love my oldies and they'll be here till the end..hopr this may help you and they would all stay togther...xx.where abouts are you?xxx. :goat:
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very best of luck with goats, found it very upsetting getting rid of my livestock due to family bust up, sure someone can help you on here......................neil
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Hi, Sorry to hear the news grassmonster, I really hope you find someplace for them all soon.
Let it us know how it goes if you can.
Beth
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Fingers crossed for you.
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Hello :wave:
I don't know how you are getting on with rehoming your animals, but I may be able to rehome some of your goats and perhaps your two pigs. I am after two pigs to have as pets (my family and I are vegetarians so no risk of them being eaten). We are down in Dumfries and Galloway on a smallolding with lots of woods and 10 acres of fields. We have chickens, goats, horses, dogs and cats at the moment. All the animals would have a home for life. please get in touch if you still need some help.
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Hello McFrosty, your animals sound like they are in heaven. :)
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I do try - I adore my animals and finally realised my life ambition of having enough land to house lots of them ;D
My husband initally tried to restrain me but has now admitted defeat. :farmer:
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Just wanted to say- I think if Grassmonster is living in a caravan she may not be online much. I'm sure when she sees your offer she will come back to you.
:)
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Hi Folks - I've sent McFrosty a PM :) -sounds like exactly what my lot need. One of my big worries has always been what would happen to my animals if things went wrong and I've held on in a very bad relationship for their sakes for a number of years but thngs have gone beyond my tolerance level with my ex and moving out was the only option - he won't go ! Problem is that he used to bring in my hay and straw and get me from home to the farm but once it was clear that things were beyond repair, he withdrew all transport and left me unable to get things for myself or to get to work. Sort of eviction by non-cooperation. While I'm prepared to live indefonately in the caravan, I fell that the animals are going to suffer come winter because of the hay/straw issue. I hope to hang onto a couple but getting enough in for all of them when I have no storage and can't replace regularly will be impossible. I can cope without electricity and running water but they need their forage and bedding. Tahnks for all the moral support - my non-animal friends don't get it - their solution is to stick them all in the free ads :(
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hi i truly hope things work out for you which ever direction life takes you, i lived in a similar way to you, 5 years in a caravan, no electric or water after a relationship broke down, and i did it so i could keep my animals, i couldnt afford an other house and my animals, so the caravan it was,
my life took a turn for the better when i met the absolute darling of a man im with now.
never give up and never stop believing
wish you all the very very best
for the future
p.s my friends never got it either
faith :wave:
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Little Miss Piggy - sorry, I wasn't ignoring your post, I must have scrolled past it and I've only just spotted it. Price isn't an issue - finding them the right home is the most important thing to me. I'm up in Aberdeenshire on the edge of Huntly. To get an idea of area, postcode is AB54 4QT
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Good luck Grassmonster :) If I had room I'd help you out (and also if we lived closer) hubby has drawn the line a bit now with the animals as we also have 4 very young children but I love my goats, chickens, cats rabbits etc and would have more!!
so sorry to hear about your trials and the breakdown of your relationship. I really hope that you meet someone lovely who shares your love of animals too xx
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So sorry about your situation grassmonster. Having been through a break up myself years ago I can assure it does get better eventually. I lived in your area many years ago. At that time there used to be a Grampian goat club (that often met in Huntly). If it still exists, perhaps some members could help home you goats?
Rural Aberdeenshire is far too bleak in winter for a caravan without electricty, so I hope you get some better accomodation by then.
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Hi Grassmonster - How are you getting on re homing your goats - I'm a goat person in your area I'm AB42 and if I work on my OH I may be able to help - but was just asking before I get him all flustered!!!!
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No joy so far and it gets from bad to worse ! The farm where they and I are staying is jointly owned by several family members and rented out to another. One of the family wants her money out of the farm and none of the others can afford to buy her out. One thought that he might be able to get a mortgage but has been unable to. The farm went on the market a couple of days ago and two people are already going to view it. We may all be homeless if anyone puts their hand up for it. Sheddage which can be reached without your own transport is non-existant. I will have nowhere to put the caravan. I can't go back to the house without losing my job because even if I walked two miles to the main road for a bus, the first one into Huntly from Aberdeen reaches my work at 7:20 and I start work at 7:00. I went to see the council today and they say that I have a legal right to be in the house and since I'm not at risk from my ex-partner, I am adequately housed so no chance of a flat in Huntly. The fact that I can't get to work isn't their problem. If I give up my job, I won't be eligible for benefits because I will have made myself unemployed. I can't get tax credits because my employer (large supermarket) won't contract anyone to 30 hours although there is plenty of uncontracted overtime. Tax benefits for a single person don't kick in under 30 hours so can't afford taxis to work - would cost about £35 per week. Private sector flats would cost more than I earn. Apart from that, it's all going just fine :'(
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Hi Again Grassmonster, although not mentioned to oh yet please get in touch (email) maybe I can help in some way - not got a plan in place but working on it !!
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Go and see your local Citizens Advice Beareau(sp?) The council are at it with your housing situation. Don't want to say too much on an open forum, but although you are not at harm physically, mental stress should be taken into account. You will hopefully get some good advice at the CAB. I don't have land at the moment, so can't help with your animals, sorry. Let us know how you are though.
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Hello again - sorry I've not been on but my life is reading like a bad novel - my boyfriend who lived outside of Glasgow died on friday in hospital - he had a serious heart condition and was rushed into hospital where he had a massive heart attack. Have to go down for the funeral next week. Still looking for homes for the goats and pigs and feel like pulling the duvet over my head ans staying under it for the rest of my life. That's my home, my animals and my boyfriend - I really don't remember doing anything bad enough to deserve all this. There's actually nothing left that matters to me to lose now.
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Oh no, I'm so so sorry, what an awful time you are having. there isn't much I can say apart from if you need a listening ear do message me. am too far away geographically to be any help physically but if you need someone to talk to, please do.
life is so cruel sometimes :(
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So sorry to hear of your situation - can we met up - I've got transport at the moment I can come to you and see what we can do.
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Oh I'm so sorry to hear that. I know things seem so bad just now, but it won't always feel so bad. It may be a cliche, but time does heal.
Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
Beth
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Thankyou Brucklay and Ballingall. I've PMd you Brucklay. I'll be away from Wednesday morning to Friday evening - the funeral is on Thursday in Coatbridge, outside Glasgow.
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So, so sorry to hear about all your trials and tribulations.
Was McFrosty not able to help? That sounded really promising.
I wish I could make it better :(
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I have some room and would be happy to be a "forever-home" for 2 goats.
We did have 2 rescue goats who recently passed away from old age... and they must have been ANCIENT!
I have a farm (we only have "pets" no animals actually earn their keep or are ever sold!) with some sheep, cows, horses, chickens and ducks.
I have a goat house and 2 huge fields with deer fencing that are used solely for the goats (before they died and now are empty)
What I don't have is transport. Well I have a car, but no stock trailer. My postcode is PH31 and it is called Tulloch Farm if you google it. How could I get them down here?
My main requirement is that because we have holiday cottages all animals here must be friendly with holiday makers petting them, and also with small children walking past them or petting them. Also musnt chase dogs :)
I didnt want boys (as only ever had girl goats) but Iolo and Dylan sound nice and friendly? If you think we can help in anyway please let me know.
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Just to add i'm obviously happy to pay for transport if you know anyone that can do it for me! Its just I dont have a stock box myself... (its on the list!)
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Oh Tullochfarm - that would be brilliant. I've looked at your web-site and it looks wonderful. I have a friend who might be able to get hold of a livestock trailer - I'll ring him tomorrow and ask what it would cost to get to and from. He'd only charge me the diesel. Meantime, it looks as if there may be someone interested in the steading so we may all be in the excrement. I'll have nowhere to live in the caravan and the animals will have to go one way or the other - I'll not have any options. I'll be able to store my caravan at another friend's farm (hopefully) bit there is nowhere there for any of the animals and it's too far off the beaten track for me to be able to live there without transport. It's looking like I'll have to go back to the house which is the last thing I want. It won't be very desirable for anyone - my ex's girlfriend stays over there two or three days a week because she actually lives 90 miles away. I don't know how I'll manage with work because it will cost an arm and a leg getting taxis. How much worse can it get ? At least the caravan is my own space. Now that's going, my animals and the love of my life. If this is karma, I must have been an axe murderer last time round :'(
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Oh I'm sorry evrything is so rubbish at the monent :-[
If you can get someone to bring them down just for the diesel that would be fantastic. We could possibly house 3 of them if they were are "friends" they would live in the same shelter and be in the same field. Just to re-iterate tho that they must be friendly and be tolerant of cuddles/children/dogs/horses or I really cant have them in this environment - dont want to get sued by someone in any of the holiday cottages :)
Maybe Iolo and Dylan and Emlyn? Would they be a good mix together? Or whatever you suggest as obviously you know them best.
Laura
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All three are friendly and love fuss. Iolo, Dylan and Emlyn all currently live together - in fact Emlyn jumped in when them months ago and wouldn't go back in his own pen. He's a year older and has sort of babysat them since weaning. The good news (and by God I need some) is that a friend of mine with a petting type arrangement based around pigs has said she'll take Florence and Rosie, my two Tamworths plus the geese. Meantime, my friends who rent the farm where we all are has just come to the top of the council waiting list because the boiler in the farmhouse has been condemned this morning and because the place is up for sale, the family won't spend the money on replacing in (the chimney that carries the flu is collapsing too to the job wouldn't be cheap). They are packing ready for a hasty exit even as I type - they have three children so no hot water and no heating isn't an option for them. As son as they officially go, I will have to as well. I'll have to go back to the house but my ex is obviously not happy about that - suggested that I stay on as caretaker ????????????? Unfit for human habitation is unfit for human habitation !!!!!!!!!!! I have had offers to resite my caravan but al offers have been 12 to 14 miles from Huntly and off a bus route - not feasable. Half my wage will go in taxis to get to and from work as it is - further away won't leave my half of the rent and bills. I'd hoped to save enough money to take me and the animals back to Angelsey where I lived for ten years and where I consider to be home. It's going to be a cold day in hell before I can get back there now, even on my own. Feeling really homesick and lonely - normally I'd have discussed the days disasters with Jackie who always made me feel better and came up with good suggestions. Miss him too :'(
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Hi Again - Now your back I'll give you a shout in the morning, Clare
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Clare - I'm at work from 7 am to 2 pm. Any time after 2 is fine, afternoon, evening, the middle of the night !!!
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Feel a bit better now that Floss and Rosie are sorted - I couldn't imagine who would be mad enough, other than me, to have two huge pet Tamworths. The two pairs of geese get to stay together too so that's good and it looks as if Iolo, Dylan and Emlyn are safe. Just wish I could keep Kes - she's my favourite but if I had somewhere to keep her, I'd have somewhere for the rest. The council would never let me put up a goat shed in the back garden. Then I need somewhere for all my equipment until i get it sold - feed pots, sheep hurdles, electric fencing, feed bins etc etc etc. Nowhere to keep it at the house. Should have a mini raup i guess. It's the end of something I've wanted since I was a kid so once the animals go, I want the other stuff gone - no reminders. Hey ho - I guess once you've lost everything, ou nothing left to lose ..... the onl direction left has got to be up ..... hasn't it ?
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if only distance wasn't an issue, (i'm in ayrshire) i could offer you a foster home for kes until you were able to take her on again.
i am willing if anyone has any transport ideas/help?
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Oh good, it sounds like Iolo, Dylan and Emlyn will enjoy staying together. :goat:
I'm looking forward to meeting them :)
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YES! the only direction is up... definately. And good news about the piggies :pig: Glad that is sorted.
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Hi Tullochfarm,
I'll be seeing my friend John at the weekend to discuss transport and likely cost. Meantime, my friend and her family have been allocated a house by the council so will be moving very soon. I am hanging on here as long as possible but have a meeting yet again with the council next week and have provisionally found a private flat but it's very expensive for what it is and I won't be able to keep my elderly cat - no pets - so she would have to stay with my ex-partner. It would be the first time in over 50 that I have had no house pets - I'd miss having someone to come back to. If the4 council come through with the goods before I sign the lease, I'd be able to keep her with me. Fingers crossed.
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Keeping all fingers crossed for you. My son has a bearded dragon which is very affectionate, doesn't really smell and is fairly cheap to keep. You can hide a vivarium quite easily. Loads of cheap/free vivs about at the moment and dragons too.
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Does anyone know what happened to grassmonster (the OP)? We texted her twice and messaged her thru here twice and no reply :( Hope she is OK and found homes for the animals in the end.
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I hope everything is Ok with her.