Life on the Farm Known as Critterhaven

Welcome to Critterhaven Farm's Blog

Raising Nigerian Dwarf Goats in Southern Middle Tennessee

What One Can Bear....

I hear all the time that God will not lay on a person more than one can bear.  Well I'm about bearing all I can this week.

Three of the puppies have died, but the other two are very healthy.  My papillon, Bea, who has never been bred or a mom is now feeding them as she is going through a false heat/pregnancy.  Has milk and everything.  Beats all I've ever seen.

Then Tuesday one of our Nigerian Does died after struggling for a couple of days.  She is at the state lab pending an autopsy, but I'm betting it's hypocalcemia.  That same day while I was taking her to the lab hubby called and another doe had twin bucklings, one was deceased and the other weak.  I treated him for white muscle disease but he didn't pull through either. 

Then today, in the middle of selling off the majority of the herd to pay for the mortgage and cut down on the feed, we found our herd sire, Zorro, dead.  No apparent cause, but he was butting heads last night awfully hard with the other bucks.  We are burying him tomorrow under the willow tree out back.

I sometimes wonder if it is worth all the effort.  All the sweat and tears we have put into this place, not to mention the money.  I think maybe it would be easier if we rented and didn't have to go and feed every night...but could just enjoy life.

But them I realize to us this is life.  I'm already missing terribly the does I had to sell tonight to pay the mortgage.  They are still here but now belong to another farm.  They won't be far up the road and I can visit, but I miss them already.  And now that Zorro is gone I feel our herd's foundation is gone.

So here is to you Chestnut Grove Lilly's Zorro.  Mom's little man...our champion even tho he was never shown and never won a ribbon.  In our book he already was a champion.  I was once offered $500 for him and turned it down.  I would again in a heartbeat.

2-26-04  to 10-3-08

AGS and NDGA registered Nigerian Dwarf buck

Untitled Comment

08:05, Friday, October 3, 2008 .. Posted by shelley43022

Im so sorry you are going thru all of this. I will be praying for things to turn around for you.

joyful homemaker

Untitled Comment

08:14, Friday, October 3, 2008 .. Posted by heritagehill

Susan,
I happened on your blog last night and wanted to write you. I am so sorry for your loss in the goat herd. We too raise goats and know exactly how you feel! I know what it is like to lose the babies you haven't even gotten to know yet, they are so precious! Though we haven't lost, so far, our herd sire.....just a few weeks ago my little special guy, Bucky died. He was a sale barn find, the first goat we had, and my forever baby. He was our farm mascot. He would have been 6 years old yesterday, so not that old. Not really sure what he died of, I was treating him for about 10 days and that gave me time to prepare myself somewhat because he was all but gone several times during that time. They become such a special part of our farms...........
My heart breaks for you having to sell your does, I have not faced that yet. BUT, I feel that is coming sooner than later. We just cannot afford the feed for all of these critters, and I keep hanging on, thinking it will get better. Hubby says they eat better than we do. Not really, we have not gone hungry, but he has a point. A good point rather I want to admit it or not.
We have 20 Boer does and 1 buck, a donkey, 4 llamas, 2 calves, 6 cats, 5 dogs, 2 guineas, 8 ducks, 2 geese, 200 baby chicks, about 50 laying hens, 4 rabbits, maybe some more?? You can see what I mean.

One last thought, if you can look at it this way, the Lord has provided something of value for you to sell at just the right time and a buyer. When things get better, you can rebuild your herd!

Just know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, I just wanted you to know that this morning!
Marilyn

Tough Times

10:05, Friday, October 3, 2008 .. Posted by WildThings

Just wanted you to know that my daughter and I were visiting you and thinking of you and praying for you today. She has been a visitor to your website off and on for awhile. She also loves animals and dreams of rescue work. She is 12.

Is it true that when times get tough,the tough get going? I don't know, but I know that we do what we have to do, and sometimes it is so HARD. But in the hard times, we can know Jesus cares. It is to Him we turn when there is no where else to turn to.

Your whole farm family is precious ... We mourn the loss of each friend too...

Trust in Him,
Michele