So much has been going on here at CBF Nigerians.  I've barely had time to blog about it.  

I know I am WAAAAY behind in updating.  The last time I wrote, It was shortly 

after the first 2 sets of kids arrived on the scene here.  That was Chatty and Wish's 

kids.  Chatty and Wish have since joined our milk test. Chatty is blowing my socks off in the milk pail. 

She's had 2 tests now and both times over 3#'s.  I'm pretty impressed with her as a FF doe.  

Wish, not so much.  She didn't do badly her first test but since I sold her boys as wethers, he milk has dropped. 

PHTHTTHTH! 

About 2 week ago - Tirzah kidded, She was HUGE.  I mean like Triplets huge! 

and she had ONE single big doe kid.  You are probably thinking I should be turning cartwheels, 

because at least it was a doe.  UM, not so fast! 

The doe has a teat with a double orifice. No  more cartwheels.  You are older and overweight still and might hurt yourself (I'm talking to myself of course) .   So for several weeks I've been debating what 

to do and how to handle this whole fiasco.  

I wish there was an easy answer but the one I came to - taking several things into consideration is, 

Selling Tirzah and her daughter as unregistered backyard milkers is where we went. 

I'm also selling Wish and our new buck, Legend.  Yeah, you are probably thinking, I"m nuts. 

But it made me realize why I got into this in the first place.....it was for my kids.  

This is a 4H project gone wild and one I enjoy immensely (otherwise why would I drag my butt out of bed every morning, feed, milk, maintain hooves, clean pens etc.) but I think I sort of let the goats take over. 

So , we took a step back, revisited our goals and dreams, evaluated what our needs were 

as a family and as responsible herd owners and here's where we are at. 

I am blessed to have some good friends with some EXCELLENT bucks, I don't need them this year, 

so, my plans to keep Caspian intact and Legend for my herd that seems to be shrinking considerably, are unnecessary.  Caspian is now castrated and sold and is going to a new home with Tirzah and Boo as unregistered backyard milkers. 

Wish and Legend are up for sale as a registered breeding pair (If you are interested, $400 for the pair) 

Chatty is staying and her doeling is sold (she was technically sold before she hit the ground, the buyers backed out and I re-listed her so I didn't grow attached and keep another doe!) 

Valley Flowers Lisianthus is bred to Ironwoodranch A Good Intrigue *S/*B and is due in Aug. I am loving Intrigue's kids overall and may keep one of these.  Besides, Intrigue's dam is now a finished Champion!

Lisi's sire also earned a Grand Champion title and I am loving this pretty little doe. 

Marina  - earned another Junior Champion title - this one counted and I'm not selling her.  I'd love to see her freshen but she won't be bred until Fall - she's staying. 

Lastly Lily, WoW is about all I can say, this little girl grows and I am more smitten. 

As you can see - this leaves us with only 2 milkers for the year.  Not really working for me since our goat milk soap helps support the herd and we are kind of addicted to all that fresh milk, cheese, yogurt, kefir and ice cream.....so, I cut my herd to bare bones and bought an outstanding milking doe (okay, so she's due in two weeks and I won't get her until later but still) She's is a 3rd Freshener, 2X Grand Champion who will be Linear Appraised next month with our group AND she is going straight on my milk test.  I'm not giving any more information until she officially joins my herd.  

That means you'll have to come visit us again to get more information! 

I'm sure you are wondering what we are going to do about breeding.  

Well, two of my friends worked out some breedings with us. I will be using 2 maybe 3 bucks for next year: 

MCH Hill Country DAX Stitch who is a LOOONG handsome buck who throws long beautiful kids (See Lily) 

Valley Flowers Blazing Star (this is Marina's intended as it will pull in more of those lovely 

Rosasharn's lines that Marina has) 

and Sunset Plains Almond Roca.  (he is a yearling buck that blew me away at the last show earning a 

Reserve Junior champion Title and aReserve Champion Title behind Lisianthus' sire Bachelor Button. 

I swear, I'm getting really tired of huge herd changes.  I'm ready for some good girls (and maybe even a boy) to stay here and contribute to our little farm.  I hope these changes help us to make that step. 

Thank you to everyone who helped us make some HARD but necessary changes, to those whose shoulders I cried on (you know who you are) and those who gave us a chance to dream big by allowing use or buy some amazing stock from you:

Sunset Plains,

Valley Flowers

Seldom Herd