Never thought retirement would be like this
- Thread starter NancyNGA
- Start date
Pappy
Living the Dream
Nancy. Wonder what makes a goat do this. We had one who did the same thing.
I don't know Pappy. Goats are normally gentle with people. That is an intact male goat. We never had one of those. They *can* be aggressive, but some are also very gentle.
In general, head butting is a dominance thing. All goats in a herd continually challenge each other, in pairs, with head butting duels, to move up in the pecking order. Ours never seemed to take it that seriously. It was more like playing. If you run around the lot and chase with them they will get excited and pretend to challenge you with a head butt, but never actually touch you.
I would suspect it was how the goat was treated when it was little. On the goat forum I belonged to, they said never try to drag a goat around by its horns, and never play with them by putting your hand or foot on their head and let them press against you.
Could just be genetics. It's a good thing he has had his horns removed. I'd be curious if they were removed at birth or as an adult.
Took off the other way around the fence today, and met the neighbor's son. Our conversation is a whole 'nother story, so I'll skip it for now.
This was the first place that required a lot of work to clear. [note all the other *big* trees around that will probably fall some day]
Left it like this, balancing on a bent fence post. Not sure how to handle it. Would need a ladder to cross over regardless.
Ran into what I thought was another gigantic pile of trees down in the middle of the road, but it turned out to be the same mess I found Tuesday. The circle was completed!!!
I wasn't sure exactly where it was Tuesday. Too difficult to explain why here, but anyway, this is from the opposite side. So basically this is all that's left to do. Ha!
Funny thing, I got so happy when I realized this was the *same* pile of trees, instead of a new one. (You had to be there.) Just goes to show, happiness is all relative.
This was the first place that required a lot of work to clear. [note all the other *big* trees around that will probably fall some day]
Left it like this, balancing on a bent fence post. Not sure how to handle it.
Would need a ladder to cross over regardless.
Ran into what I thought was another gigantic pile of trees down in the middle of the road, but it turned out to be the same mess I found Tuesday. The circle was completed!!!
I wasn't sure exactly where it was Tuesday. Too difficult to explain why here, but anyway, this is from the opposite side. So basically this is all that's left to do. Ha!
Funny thing, I got so happy when I realized this was the *same* pile of trees, instead of a new one. (You had to be there.
) Just goes to show, happiness is all relative.
Happyflowerlady
Vagabond Flowerchild
- Location
- Northern Alabama
I think that Nancy is right that part of it is how the goat was treated when it was young, and part is the nature of a male goat. They are not all this way; but I also had one that would attack people, and he especially disliked men. I think that because he was aggressive that they had probably gotten rough with this goat, and then he became even worse.
He seemed to like me okay, although he was never what I would call sociable, and he was a very large Saanen billy goat that we had borrowed for the breeding season with my milking does.
One thing that you will notice with the man in the video, is that in trying to protect himself, he is kicking the goat and fighting back, which only makes the goat more aggressive, and doesn't hurt him one bit.
Usually, what I did when i could not get cooperation from a goat was to grab ahold of the ear, and then they would stop fighting and come along peacefully.
I didn't have to do this very often, but it worked the best of anything when I needed to deal with an uncooperative goat.
Oh yes, I almost forgot about grabbing an ear. It certainly gets their attention. LOL!
Ours have always been well-behaved, in spite of my joking about them sometimes. The only problem has been with catching two of them---brother and sister twins. I can see where that came from though. When I went to pick those two up (2 months old), the owner insisted on chasing them around a small pasture to catch them. She gave up because I was not a very good helper, didn't know what I was supposed to do. She finally herded them into a barn and cornered them. Never understood why she didn't do that in the first place.
I suspect all her goats are "difficult." The way you treat most animals, for the first few weeks, is important in forming their personality quirks, imo.
Happyflowerlady
Vagabond Flowerchild
- Location
- Northern Alabama
Knowing how playful young goats are, I think that it is quite possible that the baby goats simply thought they were out running around the field together and having a fun time. The poor lady was trying to catch them, and (I can just visualize them now) the goat kids were so happy that she came out to play this fun game with them again.
I agree that she should have herded them into the barn and caught them that way. Even the little goats will usually come on the run if you are shaking a can with oats in it, and go right into the barn to eat.
Once she did this for a few days, and then let them back out after they had a snack, they would have probably come running right into the barn anytime she wanted to catch them.
That is definitely easier than chasing a goat that does not want to be caught around the field. I had to do this same thing with a horse when it didn't want to be caught.
I agree that she should have herded them into the barn and caught them that way. Even the little goats will usually come on the run if you are shaking a can with oats in it, and go right into the barn to eat.
Once she did this for a few days, and then let them back out after they had a snack, they would have probably come running right into the barn anytime she wanted to catch them.
That is definitely easier than chasing a goat that does not want to be caught around the field. I had to do this same thing with a horse when it didn't want to be caught.
That's what I think too.
I still have the male. He will come stand right in front of me, just out of reaching distance, then take off running if I move a little, just like he wants to play chase, even if I'm not trying to catch him.How many goats did/do you have? Did you get them because of the milk?
The conversation with the neighbor's son ....
This is the neighbor whose wife keeps asking if her husband can go deer hunting on our property (and we keep saying no). The son drove his pickup through the field just to ask me to let him know when I decided to sell, because he was interested in buying.
Here's the thing that bothers me...
He said when he was "just a little tyke" *my* father took him on the tractor down to the lake with him several times. He held out his hand, like 5 years old high. He said he is 32 now. I do remember running into him once as a child with *HIS* father on a lawn tractor down at the lake, before my parents moved up here. So I asked him to repeat the story, more than once, just to make sure I heard him right. He stuck to it.
When my parents bought that tractor he had to be at least 12 years old, likely much older. I'll check the bill of sale if I can find it.
First, my father didn't care much about being around children, unless they sat still and kept quiet. Second, he was super cautious about safety. He would not have voluntarily taken a child anywhere, especially on a tractor. I suppose it's possible he got roped into it once, but more than once-----nope, didn't happen!
What is he up to? Is he just mixing up his father and mine?
There is a long history of his parents both telling stories that just don't add up, almost every time I meet one of them in fact, and why I try to avoid talking to them if at all possible. Every time I do I go away half upset. Sometimes I can see an ulterior motive, sometimes not. Can you inherit a tendency to not tell the truth?
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9/13: 1390 calories
9/14: 1480 ...."
9/15: 1160 ...."
9/16: 1250.... "
(got to get more serious)
This is the neighbor whose wife keeps asking if her husband can go deer hunting on our property (and we keep saying no). The son drove his pickup through the field just to ask me to let him know when I decided to sell, because he was interested in buying.
Here's the thing that bothers me...
He said when he was "just a little tyke" *my* father took him on the tractor down to the lake with him several times. He held out his hand, like 5 years old high. He said he is 32 now. I do remember running into him once as a child with *HIS* father on a lawn tractor down at the lake, before my parents moved up here. So I asked him to repeat the story, more than once, just to make sure I heard him right. He stuck to it.
When my parents bought that tractor he had to be at least 12 years old, likely much older. I'll check the bill of sale if I can find it.
First, my father didn't care much about being around children, unless they sat still and kept quiet. Second, he was super cautious about safety. He would not have voluntarily taken a child anywhere, especially on a tractor. I suppose it's possible he got roped into it once, but more than once-----nope, didn't happen!
What is he up to? Is he just mixing up his father and mine?
There is a long history of his parents both telling stories that just don't add up, almost every time I meet one of them in fact, and why I try to avoid talking to them if at all possible. Every time I do I go away half upset. Sometimes I can see an ulterior motive, sometimes not. Can you inherit a tendency to not tell the truth?
.
.
9/13: 1390 calories
9/14: 1480 ...."
9/15: 1160 ...."
9/16: 1250.... "
(got to get more serious)
Sounds suspect to me. First off, the deer do not know boundries, can't they hunt on their own land if the deer go on to their property? I would be afraid they might mistake one of your goats for a deer. If they "upset" you, then do not interact with them. Not worth it! You don't think they are messing around the cabin? Be careful lady, seems like they have an "agenda"! And yes, there are people that are "chronic liars"!
Yeah, I think I figured it out last night. He wants me to believe my parents and their family were good buddies. Now that my parents are both dead, he knows I can't ask them. And if I think they were all good buddies I'll be more cooperative about deer hunting and selling the property to them.
I know for a fact they weren't good friends. My mother really didn't like the wife, and my dad wouldn't let them move their mobile home across our property to set it up, a one time thing that I would have probably agreed to even.
Anyway his plan backfired.
I've been told I'm gullible. It's true, to the extent that I take everyone at their word until they show me I shouldn't. It's been worth the gamble so far. Better than going around suspicious and defensive all the time.
But, if someone shows me they lie in order to manipulate people, stick a fork in them, they are done. I avoid them like the plague after that. :shrug:
ps. I got more green beans cooking right now. These are pole beans and I let them warm up to room temp before snapping and stringing them. We'll see soon if it worked. It worked. Only missed strings in one or two beans out of a pound raw.
pps. Found the bill of sale for the tractor---1997. He would have been 12. I was in 7th grade at 12. Don't know about boys, but we had been into makeup and straight skirts for a year by then, and that was back in the old slow development days. LOL!
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9/17: 900 calories
I know for a fact they weren't good friends. My mother really didn't like the wife, and my dad wouldn't let them move their mobile home across our property to set it up, a one time thing that I would have probably agreed to even.
Anyway his plan backfired.
I've been told I'm gullible. It's true, to the extent that I take everyone at their word until they show me I shouldn't. It's been worth the gamble so far. Better than going around suspicious and defensive all the time.
But, if someone shows me they lie in order to manipulate people, stick a fork in them, they are done. I avoid them like the plague after that. :shrug:
ps. I got more green beans cooking right now.
These are pole beans and I let them warm up to room temp before snapping and stringing them. We'll see soon if it worked. It worked. Only missed strings in one or two beans out of a pound raw.pps. Found the bill of sale for the tractor---1997. He would have been 12. I was in 7th grade at 12. Don't know about boys, but we had been into makeup and straight skirts for a year by then, and that was back in the old slow development days. LOL!
.
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9/17: 900 calories
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Aunt Bea
SF VIP
- Location
- Near Mount Pilot
Nancy, I saw this and thought of you and your neighbor's son.
"Whatever gets your goat gets your attention. Whatever gets your attention gets your time. Whatever gets your time gets you. Whatever gets you becomes your master. Take care, lest a little thing horn in and get your goat." - William Arthur Ward
"Whatever gets your goat gets your attention. Whatever gets your attention gets your time. Whatever gets your time gets you. Whatever gets you becomes your master. Take care, lest a little thing horn in and get your goat." - William Arthur Ward
Thanks Bea. I did kind of let him get my goat that day, but it was worth it this time.
When I thought about how he had you questioning your memory, and whether you even knew your own family members, I remembered the movie Gaslight (1944, Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer), and started reading about "gaslighting" in a Psychology Today article. Couldn't stop pursuing the topic. Almost pulled an all-nighter.
Turns out gaslighting, in different degrees, is not that uncommon, and not just between couples, but in all kinds of relationships, and children *can* learn it from their parents, but many go the opposite direction.
I've known 2, possibly 3, people like that. All 3 would drive me crazy if I had to be around them every day. I must be susceptible to that kind of thing, because the only solution for me is to stay completely away from them.
My old boss was one. It was great to finally see her described in writing.
The worst part is gaslighters will put on a different face and work hard to cultivate a group of casual friends to use for support, in case the victim ever tries to call them out on what they are doing. Those "friends" will also think the victim is crazy. But they are victims too. They don't have a clue what's really going on, or that they are being used.
Anyway, I retired the first day it was financially feasible. As you can probably tell the experience still stings after all these years. In fact just writing this makes me feel a little crazy again. :eewwk:
Eleven Signs of Gaslighting - Psychology Today
The halfway point?
Down 4 lbs, beyond initial water weight loss, and consistent for 3 days, BMI = 21.0, WHR = 0.80.
Goal was 8 lb loss, but more is muscle mass now than when I did this seriously a long time ago, so we'll see how it goes from here. It has to be from pushing that heavy lawn mower in town---lower body exercise that doesn't put much stress on the knees. I can tell a big difference going up steps. It was worth the effort in the long run.
But lawn mowing is almost over for the year. Need to substitute something else this winter. Maybe I'll get one of these power push sleds.
Seriously, though, I need to set some goals this winter. Not going to risk this old age muscle loss thing again, like I did being lazy last winter. It's time to get serious, get out of the house and away from this computer. Maybe set a goal of cleaning up some brush and thinning out some smaller junk trees, or doing some long needed major fence repairs.
For now, there are two small dead trees in town that should be removed. I'll try that this afternoon if the neighbors are not around.
And will try to work on those trees down on the fence---just start nibbling around the edges. Sometimes when all the junk gets cleared away you find out it's not as daunting a task as it looked to be. It's the kind of exercise that's really fun to me. You feel like you're accomplishing something, even if it's just getting back to square one. And every pile of trees presents a little different puzzle to solve.
9/18: 1200 calories
9/19: 1230 ...."
9/20: 1030 ...."
9/21: 1150.... "
Down 4 lbs, beyond initial water weight loss, and consistent for 3 days, BMI = 21.0, WHR = 0.80.
Goal was 8 lb loss, but more is muscle mass now than when I did this seriously a long time ago, so we'll see how it goes from here. It has to be from pushing that heavy lawn mower in town---lower body exercise that doesn't put much stress on the knees. I can tell a big difference going up steps. It was worth the effort in the long run.
But lawn mowing is almost over for the year. Need to substitute something else this winter. Maybe I'll get one of these power push sleds.
Seriously, though, I need to set some goals this winter. Not going to risk this old age muscle loss thing again, like I did being lazy last winter. It's time to get serious, get out of the house and away from this computer. Maybe set a goal of cleaning up some brush and thinning out some smaller junk trees, or doing some long needed major fence repairs.
For now, there are two small dead trees in town that should be removed. I'll try that this afternoon if the neighbors are not around.
And will try to work on those trees down on the fence---just start nibbling around the edges. Sometimes when all the junk gets cleared away you find out it's not as daunting a task as it looked to be. It's the kind of exercise that's really fun to me. You feel like you're accomplishing something, even if it's just getting back to square one. And every pile of trees presents a little different puzzle to solve.
9/18: 1200 calories
9/19: 1230 ...."
9/20: 1030 ...."
9/21: 1150.... "
Roadwarrior
Member
I sometimes forget what thread I'm on, then a little perplexed when I look back, wondering what was I thinking. Oh well, it keeps the admins busy. Glad to have you back. Whenever I don't see a few daily posts from you I wonder, what's happened. I posted on my 'blog' about my next foray into the sustainable/off grid/homesteading meat market. Being neither a PETA or Vegan & can tolerate gluten, I got to thinking about my days with my little gentleman's farm. I had raised domestic rabbits on a lark for table meat. I soon had 30+ bunnies running me ragged, actually they were pretty easy to raise but hard to keep up with. Me & my now passed brother-in-law decided to tackle the processing of them one day. My youngest daughter wanted to watch.
I was worried about her feelings, now looking back I maybe should have worried more about her enjoyment of the kill, skinning & then relishing the first plate of fried (as I called them) ‘Rabbit Nuggets’. I covered them in pancake batter, something I learned fishing for crappie, then cooked them in my Dutch oven. My wife was working evenings so it was my chore to prepare dinner. I told my other two children it was chicken, no problem the five (including my bro-n-law) devoured a rather large plate of them, not even leaving a sampling for my wife. Over time I gave them up as a productive sideline focusing on the pigs & beef. Much more respectable in the farming community in which I resided. I guess it was the bunny factor that people couldn't get over.
Fast forward to today, I had been looking for an easy process because of my age, rabbits won out every time. In fact an article on MSN listed rabbits as one of the 20 things we should be eating. They are packed with nutrients, low fat, low cholesterol, very sustainable, considered a delicacy everywhere else in the world, and the most important - very easy to raise. Their waste is better for the mulch pile or garden, not as hot as others. The pelts if you can find a market are profitable, it takes less feed to raise, very little space & they produce like rabbits. 2 does & 1 buck can produce over 250 lbs of marketable meat annually & they do not contribute as much to global warming. That's more meat than a beef can produce on a whole lot less feed. I also remember that Paul Harvey was advocating them on his broadcasts back in the 80's. They are also a very handy lawnmower.
Back in the 80's Rex rabbits were the rage. I decided after reading about who made money on the California gold rush, it wasn't the miners. It was the suppliers, selling gold rush dreams made many millionaires including Levi Strauss. I made hutches. Only problem I encountered was the hand blisters I dealt with using my wire cutter's to snip the screening. I poked myself with the newly cut wire in places I can't mention. It was something I should have worn safety glasses for, but didn't. Many battle wounds later I gave up the chase I couldn't make enough to pay for my time & it was less painful. I moved onto other things.
I have been preparing myself with YouTube videos on the dressing & de-boning a rabbit. Interesting & looked fairly easy. You end up with a neat little 3-5 lb roast that can be plopped into your dutch oven over the fire pit, Bob's your uncle!
This morning on MSN.com was a list of the 14 most beautiful main streets in America - according to Architectural Digest. Even Lady Bird Johnson honored our little town back when she was counting trees around the country. Also, I counted 7 of the 14 that I had personally driven thru.
My home town
I was worried about her feelings, now looking back I maybe should have worried more about her enjoyment of the kill, skinning & then relishing the first plate of fried (as I called them) ‘Rabbit Nuggets’. I covered them in pancake batter, something I learned fishing for crappie, then cooked them in my Dutch oven. My wife was working evenings so it was my chore to prepare dinner. I told my other two children it was chicken, no problem the five (including my bro-n-law) devoured a rather large plate of them, not even leaving a sampling for my wife. Over time I gave them up as a productive sideline focusing on the pigs & beef. Much more respectable in the farming community in which I resided. I guess it was the bunny factor that people couldn't get over.
Fast forward to today, I had been looking for an easy process because of my age, rabbits won out every time. In fact an article on MSN listed rabbits as one of the 20 things we should be eating. They are packed with nutrients, low fat, low cholesterol, very sustainable, considered a delicacy everywhere else in the world, and the most important - very easy to raise. Their waste is better for the mulch pile or garden, not as hot as others. The pelts if you can find a market are profitable, it takes less feed to raise, very little space & they produce like rabbits. 2 does & 1 buck can produce over 250 lbs of marketable meat annually & they do not contribute as much to global warming. That's more meat than a beef can produce on a whole lot less feed. I also remember that Paul Harvey was advocating them on his broadcasts back in the 80's. They are also a very handy lawnmower.
Back in the 80's Rex rabbits were the rage. I decided after reading about who made money on the California gold rush, it wasn't the miners. It was the suppliers, selling gold rush dreams made many millionaires including Levi Strauss. I made hutches. Only problem I encountered was the hand blisters I dealt with using my wire cutter's to snip the screening. I poked myself with the newly cut wire in places I can't mention. It was something I should have worn safety glasses for, but didn't. Many battle wounds later I gave up the chase I couldn't make enough to pay for my time & it was less painful. I moved onto other things.
I have been preparing myself with YouTube videos on the dressing & de-boning a rabbit. Interesting & looked fairly easy. You end up with a neat little 3-5 lb roast that can be plopped into your dutch oven over the fire pit, Bob's your uncle!
This morning on MSN.com was a list of the 14 most beautiful main streets in America - according to Architectural Digest. Even Lady Bird Johnson honored our little town back when she was counting trees around the country. Also, I counted 7 of the 14 that I had personally driven thru.
My home town
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RW, I'm sorry, I didn't see your post earlier. Off to visit the goats right now, before the late round of football traffic starts. [Forgot to check the schedule this weekend. ] Will reply later.
8:03 pm: Perfect timing. Got back into town 15 minutes into the football game. A ghost town. First big game. Everyone is either at the game, watching it on TV, or grocery shopping.
Off to visit the goats right now, before the late round of football traffic starts. [Forgot to check the schedule this weekend. ] Will reply later.8:03 pm: Perfect timing. Got back into town 15 minutes into the football game. A ghost town. First big game. Everyone is either at the game, watching it on TV, or grocery shopping.
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Roadwarrior, I think you did just fine by your daughter. My father was a hunter, out of necessity when he was young, and out of habit as an adult. I watched him dress squirrel and rabbit when I was little. Squirrel were harder to find back then compared to now. I'm sort of glad they didn't "protect" me from real life. If they had, it might have caused me to avoid getting to know a lot of nice people along the way.
I ate rabbit once, for New Years dinner, maybe 30 years ago. My mother found it at the grocery store and we decided to try it. I can't remember anything special about it. That probably means it was just fine.
Raising animals for food, and especially milk, can tie you down quite a bit, unless you have a neighbor or friend that will look out after them when you are away. Probably rabbits would be easier in that sense. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Pretty home town you have. I love real mountains. I know I've been to Deadwood, SD, and most likely rode through Livingston, MT, when I was a child. Don't remember it.
I ate rabbit once, for New Years dinner, maybe 30 years ago. My mother found it at the grocery store and we decided to try it. I can't remember anything special about it. That probably means it was just fine.
Raising animals for food, and especially milk, can tie you down quite a bit, unless you have a neighbor or friend that will look out after them when you are away. Probably rabbits would be easier in that sense. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.
Pretty home town you have. I love real mountains. I know I've been to Deadwood, SD, and most likely rode through Livingston, MT, when I was a child. Don't remember it.
Roadwarrior
Member
The days of tending 12 farrowing sows, 3 calves on bottles, 80 weaners, 1 800 lb boar are behind me. 1 buck & 2-3 does is all I'm committed to. I plan a double hutch for the does & a single for the buck. Maybe a 30 foot rabbit run for the fryers. 200 days from breed to butcher, little more than 6 months then outta of the livestock business. Apr-Nov then head to AZ, thank you for the warnings though.
Low calorie snack tonight - Fried Cabbage - 110 calories
Thought I'd dress it up a little, rather than just plop it down on a plate.layful:
Two cups of boiled cabbage (70) fried very carefully in only one pat of butter (40), salt, pepper, and a dash of lemon juice. Think 70 calories is too little for that much cabbage? Just keep frying it. It will eventually disappear---mostly water. A good side dish. Not very good just boiled, imo. Much better if you use a lot more butter, but what isn't.
Downside: too many dishes to wash.
..
9/22: 1100 calories
9/23: 1080 ...."
Thought I'd dress it up a little, rather than just plop it down on a plate.
layful:Two cups of boiled cabbage (70) fried very carefully in only one pat of butter (40), salt, pepper, and a dash of lemon juice. Think 70 calories is too little for that much cabbage? Just keep frying it. It will eventually disappear---mostly water. A good side dish. Not very good just boiled, imo. Much better if you use a lot more butter, but what isn't.
Downside: too many dishes to wash.
..
9/22: 1100 calories
9/23: 1080 ...."
Aunt Bea
SF VIP
- Location
- Near Mount Pilot
Low calorie snack tonight - Fried Cabbage - 110 calories
Thought I'd dress it up a little, rather than just plop it down on a plate.
View attachment 42473
Two cups of boiled cabbage (70) fried very carefully in only one pat of butter (40), salt, pepper, and a dash of lemon juice. Think 70 calories is too little for that much cabbage? Just keep frying it. It will eventually disappear---mostly water. A good side dish. Not very good just boiled, imo. Much better if you use a lot more butter, but what isn't.
Downside: too many dishes to wash.
..
9/22: 1100 calories
9/23: 1080 ...."
Looks like it might upset your stomach!!!
I like to fry cabbage, carrots and onions for breakfast the day after a boiled dinner, sort of a lo cal hash.