Spring Dreams & Summer Plans

I have been very delinquent in making blog posts...time to stop procrastinating so much and type some stuff!

I am actively searching out information about Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats. There are several breeders in the Palmer/Wasilla area who have been very nice and invited me to come check out their farms. I had a very long phone conversation with someone in Salcha (a very nice and knowledgeable woman) who seems to understand a bit more about what direction I want to take with my goats. She introduced the idea of looking for my goats OUTSIDE of Alaska. A more expensive option, but fresh genetics are always a good idea.

My goals are to have a very small, easily sustainable dairy heard that can supply my family with fresh milk and milk products, companionship, and fertilizer for the garden!

There is also the part about Nigerian Dwarf goats being cute as can be...not the most responsible reason for wanting them, but at least I'm being honest!

Soooooooo goals for this summer are as follows:

1. Finish rennovating the barn (including heat in the garage section, milking station in the heated portion, and a kidding stall.

2. New stovepipe so that I can use more wood heat and less heating fuel next winter.

3. Garden, garden, garden...

4. Build a sauna (c'mon...this is a necessary thing, I swear).

5. Find a boyfriend for Stella ( I have a lead, but need to get her bloodtests done to be sure all are healthy in this arrangement).

6. Purchase a Nigerian Dwarf doe, preferably in milk, to get the dairy supply started. She also needs to be a friend for Stella, as it is unkind to keep a herd animal in a solitary environment.

I'm pondering some chickens too...but need to rethink the chicken containment unit in my yard. It kept the chickens in just fine, and held them nicely for the fox that managed to get in and slaughter them all!!!