When we (Justin and I) started this grand adventure we bought several different breeds of dairy goats.  Nubians are the favorites of most of the people we run in to.  Below is Georgette.  She is a purebred Nubian from a line (Six M Galaxy) of star milker’s.  You can see why Nubians are a favorite.  Talk about gorgeous.  Not to mention she kidded with triplets this year and nursed all three!  We didn’t have to bottle feed at all.

But we have decided to narrow down our herd to only one breed and Nubians were the first crossed off the list.  Why?

1.  They are LOUD.  Loud is actually an understatement.  These guys whine like crazy.  When I walk outside I have to sneak around (even if I am just going to my car) because if she sees me… HELLO!  The screaming begins.  You know those funny goat videos of goats screaming?  Not so funny when it’s all day right outside your house.

2. They are attention queens.  Oh my goodness.  They have to be first. They want the most.  They have to be the closest to you, etc.  Georgette is crazy protective of me.  If anyone is around me her hair bristles on her back and starts to stand up.  That’s the only warning you will get before she head butts you.

3.  Did I mention the yelling?  Seriously, the yelling did it for us.  Nubian’s were crossed off of the list.

We talked about Alpine’s.  I love this breed but we had trouble finding them so we never purchased any.  We never purchased Saanen either.  We did get two La Mancha’s and have several baby La Mancha’s.  I ADORE this breed.  My La Mancha’s are the most wonderful things EVER.  Now, why did they get crossed off of the list you may ask.  No, it’s not because they don’t have ears.  I actually LOVE this about them.  I think this peculiar trait makes them that much more beautiful.  Here is the main reason we are not keeping this breed:

1.  They are HUGE.  Ok, I’ve seen several La Mancha farms online and their La Mancha’s aren’t as large as ours.  Ours are like small horses.  No, but really they weigh around 140-160.  I can’t really do much by myself with them.  I almost always have to have Justin and I do NOT like that.  The other night while I was putting dewormer in Giselle’s mouth she did not want it and I RODE her a few feet.  Yep.  You read that right.  She took off and my legs were around her neck.  I think you can see the problem.

2.  They are also drama queens.  No, they are not loud drama queens which is a positive, but man do they get their feelings hurt.  And if their feelings are hurt they are UNCOOPERATIVE.  Whew.  They are like constantly having teenagers.

But goodness aren’t they gorgeous!

The breed we narrowed it down to was not a breed we planned on purchasing.  Gretel came to us as part of a “package” last year.  Remember this?  Gretel quickly became the Queen of our herd beating out Giselle aka the Bearded Lady pictured above.  She was quiet and docile, but SO smart and most definitely the herd queen.  Until we had Great Pyrenees she was even the “watch dog”.  She NEVER yelled, occasionally if I was late at supper time she would stomp her feet to let me know she did not approve.  Gretel is what led us to LOVE the Oberhasli breed.

Goodness do we miss her.

What finalized the Oberhasli breed was when we rescued this little lady!  Meet Julie!

This rascal was at a home with NO fence on a highway and had been hit by a car.  We think she has some neurological damage and the muscles in one of her back legs has atrophied quite a bit.  But now she is with us and has made lots of progress.  She sealed the deal with our Oberhasli decision.  And let me tell you…this girl LOVES alfalfa squares.  She is so funny and loves to play with the babies.  We met the original owner that bred her.  We visited her farm last fall and she was thrilled to know Julie had found a good home.  It is horrifying to think that something (like what Julie went through) can happen to one of the animals you loved so much.

This week we have sold 6 of our goats and in the next few weeks the rest will go.  While I am SO sad and a wreck.. hoping and praying they go to good homes… I am so excited for this new step.  We are thrilled to be bringing in Ober’s!

Until next time have a little laugh.  Here is Polar Bear Hebe vs. Regular Hebe.