When the babies, "kids", are born we may assist the mother, "dam", in drying off the young, and we make sure they receive their first milk, called colostrum. When the dam is finished and we have given her fresh warm water with molasses, fed her, and bedded her down, we take the babies usually to the greenhouse where it is warm and cozy.

The "kids" are watched over carefully and are hand fed by bottle four times a day. Once they are strong, usually within a couple of days, they are put back into the barn in special pens with heat lamps, and their bottles are taken out to them. The "kids" are usually penned in groups so that they can form lasting friendships, as goats are social animals and do not like to be alone.

The "kids" will continue to grow and become doelings; it's fun to watch them run and jump and play in the field. When they are about 9 or 10 months old and weigh at least 90 pounds, they are bred, and have a gestation period of approximately 150 days.

Goats are very fussy animals, especially in their feeding practices, they do not eat junk, tin cans, or the like; they will only eat clean fresh food and drink fresh water. If the food becomes soiled or stepped on, they will not eat it. However, they are browsers and while they don't graze or eat much grass, especially if its been walked on, they will eat the bark off trees, scrubs, flowers, and they love rasberries, maples and willows.

Our animals all have names, and are all hand raised which helps them to develop even more loving personalities The care and love we give our animals, pays off in having animals that do well for us, giving much delicious wholesome milk, much love in return, and even numerous ribbons at the shows and fairs.