[ballingall]

The best bowls we have, didn't cost us anything. They were given to us by a friend, who made them by cutting small barrels in half. They have been nearly indestructible. We still have them, 25 years on although some are starting to develope a few cracks. We use them for goatlings, kids and the billies mostly- they are the ones who are toughest on food bowls.


Beth

[ballingall]

February's video of the goat shed- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRJojzCcooE

And also a video of the babies- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3dSlqzZO6s&feature=channel

Beth

[Anke]

Hi Beth, seems you have got a few more kiddings to come... Looking a your BTs mine doesnt look too big afterall. She is due in three weeks time, same as the GG, who isnt showing much of a belly at all..... We will see what she is up to.... but my BT is now quite large and making an udder (she is 1st kidder).

All very exciting... Anke

[woollyval]

Beth
You have some very nice goats there! Who is the nice BA milker?
I used to show a lot in the late 80s and early 90s and had a BrCh or 2! I also was fortunate enough to buy a kid in 1986 who the owners thought was a right pain.....she went on to be CH R230 Honeydown Mercedes Q*1 BrCh and the highest milk recorded champion of 1993.....not easy with Parr & Ackroyd in competition!!! She only kidded 3 times and was then barren, an unshown grand daughter of hers was a much better goat and would have been amazing in the ring and bucket, but I had loaned her to a friend whilst sorting out family issues and she refused to either show her or give her back.....she never kidded apart from the first time and died in 2005.....
As you will know BA goats are very difficult to get 'right' 

I gave up goats totally in 2001 and just stick to the sheep now....but I really really miss the camaraderie of the overnight goat show, we had some wicked times late at night with a bit of whiskey, a good chat and reminisences around the tilly lamp!!!

[ballingall]

Hi thewoolyshepherd- Val I think?

The BA was one of the best goats in our herd over the last couple of years, she was Carrick Christina, we made her a BrCh as a 1st kidder in just 8 shows. Unfortunately, she died almost exactly 2 weeks ago, after having a horrendous kidding to produce three enormous male kids. We never got a female out of her, she didn't like travelling to a billy so we had to borrow one here in order to get her pregnant with pure bred kids. We had high hopes for her this season, as she had matured so well with a year running through, but I guess it just wasn't meant to be.

We've kept one of the males entire, and will use him on my mum's AOV milker, who although white, is actually three quarters BT. BA's are my second favourite breed, after my AN's, as they can look so striking.

I know what you mean about goat shows, nothing beats being there once you have the goats settled in and everything unpacked. Sadly, there's definitely less people showing than there used to be.


Anke,

Two of ours are 1st kidders too, and their udders are only just starting to get more developed now. We regularly handle their udder/teats to try and get them used to it as well. Both of them are due in about 4 weeks. Have two 2nd kidders due in 3 weeks as well.

Beth

[woollyval]

Really sorry about that Beth....and a breed champion too....tragic! I can remember having a Carrick from Linda called Carrick Charles en route to another breeder....She has some very nice goats!

It always seems odd to me that the names of the judges and BGS committee etc seem to be the same as when I was showing in the 80s!!! I know the huge shows and milking comps of the past possibly will never happen again due to all the rules and regs! There were people and goats who seemed to be perpetually travelling around the 'show circuit'.....I must be getting old.....and Im not 50...yet