[ballingall]

Hello!


So what has everyone learnt or achieved this year? Even the most experienced goatkeeper can learn new stuff, so what has it been for you?




For me, I have learnt all about Laproscopic AI this year, and seen it done- fingers crossed it works!


Also have learnt much more about choropitic (sp?) mange    out of necessity.




What about you?


Beth

[ballingall]

Oh, I've also leaned to give milking and foot trimming demonstrations.... And more about publicity materials/signs as well


Beth

[fiestyredhead331]

how to make goats milk soap and cheese 

[bloomer]

I don't keep goats yet, but i have learned how friendly they are, even if they are a bit big for cuddles!!!


Also have learned fresh goats milk is nothing like the shop stuff and would definitely want a milking goat when i finally get land!!!

[deepinthewoods]

ive learnt that i am now forgetting more than i know.

[fiestyredhead331]

I don't keep goats yet, but i have learned how friendly they are, even if they are a bit big for cuddles!!!


Also have learned fresh goats milk is nothing like the shop stuff and would definitely want a milking goat when i finally get land!!!

my Daisy (Saanen) loves a cuddle and will happily lie beside me with her head on my lap 

[jaykay]

I have learned that I can farm this place on my own, with help from my neighbours, as I have done a full year now 

Oh, and just learning to weave of course 

[countrywoman]

I have learned ro relax and enjoy my goats - not every worst-case-scenario in the book will occur!  Last autumn I worried that I might miss the signs of them being in season (bboks say some are only in for a few hours...) - this year I just waited for the obvious trumpeting and calmly arranged a meeting with the male of choice.  I also worried that they weren't getting enough to eat/minerals etc - Brinicombes solved that.

[deepinthewoods]

I have learned that I can farm this place on my own, with help from my neighbours, as I have done a full year now 

Oh, and just learning to weave of course 

thats just excellent. im jolly glad to hear it. big up yourself missus.

[LouiseG]

We had our first ever home birth of anything (except chicks) a beautiful single goat baby. Totally gobsmacked by the whole affair so have hopefully put both goats in kid and also bought two ewes who are also hopefully pregnant. Can't wait for April 2013. 
I have learned to be very grateful for what we've got 

[ScotsGirl]

I have learnt to shear properly, just hope I can remember again when the time comes. Livestock keeping is a whole big learning curve from dealing with lambing/kidding problems, administering mess, routine maintenance to just enjoying and understanding your livestock psychology and what makes them tick.


I just wish I could learn how to work less (proper job) and spend more time making small holding pay its way. Maybe one day I will find a nice bloke who wants to share the joy and commitment.


Here's hoping for a drier and healthier new year 

[jaykay]

thats just excellent. im jolly glad to hear it. big up yourself missus

thank you 

I just wish I could learn how to work less (proper job) and spend more time making small holding pay its way

Me too  I hope you find your bloke.

I have learned to be very grateful for what we've got

That's a pretty good thing to have learned, I am trying to remember it too 

[plumseverywhere]

I've learnt lots about kidding and my children and I watched as Puffin gave birth to Sixpence (with some assistance from me) - amazing experience.
I've learnt that I can build a business out of very few acres and goats and that I've really enjoyed watching Its Baaath Time grow. That I can cope with all sorts of emergencies and that even though the lows are pretty low, the highs really make up for it all 

[sokel]

I have learnt that there is always someone on here willing to help out in a crisis and no matter how much you know or how much experiance you have  you never stop learning !
I have also learnt from experiance you always have space for another goat shed if you do really need it lol

Away from goats I have learnt not to belive a single word that british telecom staff say to you !!!!!

[Lesley Silvester]

I have learned how to depend on friends to  help with my goats.  I have also learned to accept the help without resenting them for being ble to do what I want to do.