What about getting away from the farm for the weekends or taking a vacation ?
This is a lifestyle choice you make. Being an animal's caretaker, be it any animal, large or small, means taking on responsibilities. Of course no animal should ever be neglected for any reason.
Fias Co Farm is a joint venture and Larry and I share all the duties of caring for the goats. Our goats are fed and checked in on twice a day... every day... always.
Honestly, we have created a life we enjoy here at Fias Co Farm so much, that we have no desire to leave. Both Larry and I have not been away from our farm together overnight since 1995. We do get away on occasion, but one of us stays here to take care of the goats, cats, birds, fish, etc....
I am the milk maid here on our farm; I do all the milking. Because of this I usually only leave over night after the goats have dried off (stopped milking). I travel out of state for a week and a half, to visit with friends and family once a year in the Fall after the goats are dried up. Larry can handle taking care of all the animals on his own at this time.
Larry occasionally visits his sister out of state for a three day weekend here and there. I can mange taking care of everything here on our farm (including milking) while he is gone. Of course I am happy to see him return. Because as we often say, "There are a lot of things to do on the farm."
We do not have anyone locally that we "trust" to care for our goats if we want to get away for a day or two. If you have a friend or neighbor to be a "goat sitter", that you can show how to care for your goats properly, you'll have no problem getting away for as long as they are willing to take care of your goats for you.
What about milking?
This is when letting your does raise their own kids comes in real handy. If you have been following the routine of milking once a day as I explain here you can use this to your advantage. Just don't lock the babies up at night. The kids will happily take care of milking their mother for you. This should not effect the mother's milk production at all if only done for a couple day or so. Depending on how much the kids drink, and they will drink as much as they can, you may not see any loss of production even if you go away for a week. Of course, it just depends on the doe and the particular situation. The mother will need to keep receiving extra grain to keep up milk production. Your goat sitter will not need to milk the doe, but they will need to make sure she gets her correct amount of feed.
When is the best time to get away?
The slowest time of the year for goats is in Dec. & early Jan.. At this time, most does are dried off and there are no milking chores. Breeding season is winding down and all your does of breeding age and weight should be bred. Kids won't be arriving until late Jan-early Feb. If you want to get away, this is a great time to go, just make sure your goat sitter knows all your goat's feeding requirements and has a number of someone to call in case of any emergency.
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