Old Dallas Mountain Farms - Nigerian Dwarf Goats

Sunday Sweetness from the farm.

This is Big Boris, "BB", as he's known on the streets One week old. 2.5 pounds of pure fury and justice and already looks like he has strong opinions about everything.

He’s also rockin' brand new pajamas, because when you’re this small, staying warm outranks looking dignified, although he seems convinced he still looks very important.

Tiny feet. Big attitude. Absolutely certain he’s in charge.

It doesn't really take an experienced goat breeder to look at this picture and say, "yup, that goat on the left is going to be a problem". And you'd be right.

Meet Ms. Bubbles. She's 3 and a half pounds of sheer attitude and bad intentions. We love her though.

Ms. Bubbles was born from MOON STATION SS BELLA and sired by MOON STATION BAD INTENTIONS. She has three brothers who all seemed to have figured out quickly who the boss was in the group.

GOAT GOLD AND WEIRDNESS WEDNESDAY

This photo was supposed to be a nice, straightforward picture of BELLA ROSA ESTATE FANNYFLIRTS (Fanny) and her udder. Fanny appears to have understood what we were looking for. Unfortunately, MOON STATION SS BELLA (Bella) in the background also understood the assignment and was clearly throwing some "this is how you show an udder" vibes.

Because apparently this is now a competition.

GOAT GOLD:
Goats are very aware of each other and often compete for attention, food, and status within the herd. If one goat is getting noticed, there is a very good chance another goat will immediately insert herself into the situation. Subtly is not part of the strategy.

WEIRDNESS:
There are birds called bowerbirds where the males build elaborate “display areas” and decorate them with carefully arranged objects, shells, berries and even bits of trash, to attract females. They will organize everything by color, size, and symmetry and then stand there waiting to be judged.

So yes, staged presentations for attention are not unique to goats.

Bella’s photo-bombing take:
“If there’s going to be a showing, I will also be showing.”

GOAT GOLD AND WEIRDNESS WEDNESDAY

It’s only Wednesday and we’re already running on fumes getting ready for kidding season. The goats are restless, the feed buckets are mysteriously empty (again), and everyone on this farm seems convinced we should be working faster than we are (or are actually capable of).

So here’s this week’s edition, brought to you by coffee, mild exhaustion, and a complete lack of personal space.

Meet Bambalina (aka Bambi), who is looking at us like she already knows how this month is going to go.

GOAT GOLD:
Goats have scent glands near their horns that they use to mark territory and recognize each other. So when a goat rubs its head on the fence, the feeder, or your leg… it’s not being affectionate.
It’s filing paperwork. You’ve been claimed. You now belong to the herd.

WEIRDNESS:
Some ant species keep aphids like livestock. They protect them, move them to better plants, and “milk” them for a sugary liquid called honeydew. That means there are tiny underground farmers running full-time dairy operations with bugs. And honestly, they seem a lot more organized than we are right now.

Bambi’s take:
“Goats marking everything, ants farming everything…
and somehow the humans are still the ones behind schedule.”

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from the farm!

LilBit volunteered to help celebrate this year…
although she was not informed there would be a hat involved.

She tolerated it long enough for a picture, then made it very clear this was not in her job description.

Hope everyone has a safe and lucky day today.
We’ll be here doing chores, watching goats, and keeping an eye out for any leprechauns that might be hiding in the barn.