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Goats have settled in,are happily munching away on the brush and brambles,once the little ones get bigger,will breed them and have some kids in Spring.
The shed arrives this week and will most likely convert it into a chicken coop and then chooks.We have a dog pen that I put hardware cloth around to stop predators,plan to make that their enclosed run,but will hopefully free range them during the day.
After that,I need to get back to building raised beds from the myriad of pine trees we have on the land,it is laborious but the trees are free,and my time is too.Would like to have 15-20 raised beds ready for next season.The beds are basically 3'x6',pine logs that I 'shave two sides so that the logs can be easily stacked,then some scrap wood nailed at the corners to hold the sides together.
Probably the last animal to arrive will be some pigs,probably three,would like to pasture raise them as well.Pigs do wonders turning the soil and 'plowing' the ground for you.
Cows are a long term project as we require real pastures for them,plus real fencing.
I loooove mutton curry "Kumbing soup".
Too bad rearing goats here is not allowed, only small animals (chicken / rabbits etc.)... rule set by DH (else DD will want a Llama too).
Never eaten goat,can't be much different to mutton which I ate a lot of growing up.
The offspring of these three will be prime candidates for the freezer,especially the males.
Short lifespan for most males...
Its good lean meat, great in stews and meat pies... good for loooong cooking/stewing on the stove.
The meat stew is great especially during winter because it is considered to give us more "heat" than even the steaks... hence great for keeping warm.
I love goat milk, yogurt & cheeses too... my BIL makes them when he buys bulk goat milk (I think he might be thinking about raising his own diary goats in the coming years for his cheese business).
I hate goats, though - having worked on a goat farm, pasteurized the milk, bottle-fed babies, and tried to keep them in fencing, I prefer my short cows. 5-String barbed wire fencing, and they are quite happy to stay home. Plus ours are like a little family; and come up to the fence demanding to be petted and 'scritched', even the bull.
We have cattle panels and t-posts,they are quite content in their little paddock,although they can see us from there and then baaah accordingly.
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