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Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Cabin Fever

Can goats have cabin fever? Two nights ago as I was feeding, I noticed Dandelion, one of my young does,  with a bloody head.  Obviously she's been butting heads with one of the others, the question only remained--who?  White goats are easy to check, and no one else looked like her opponent. When I checked darker heads, it was too hard to be sure, but I suspected Cassie.

Dandy's head looks very sore
Last night I went armed with my trusty camera. Culprit found! As expected, it was Cassie. 
 
That telltale spot of blood on Cassie's head indeed tells the tale.
Cassie's already cowed D'Arcy, who gives way, however reluctantly.  I've been shuffling stalls around, too, in expectation of kidding season.   Perhaps all those things combined explained why she decided to take on Dandy.

I expect this type of behavior in the spring, when everyone is fresh and full of vim and vigor, happy to get out after being stuck in the barn.  Unless I keep everyone in separate stalls during the day, there's no way to keep fighters separated.  There's more snow on the way and even less chance for them to get outside. I leave the doors open, but they don't seem anxious to take a walk in the snow. 

It's going to be a long winter.

2 comments:

  1. This is a very belated return blog visit with a thank you for taking the time to leave a comment on mine! I've read through your most recent posts and can see how with all the snow you've had that your goats would go stir crazy!

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  2. Hello crooked shade Farm: thanks for visiting my blog and leaving a comment on the maamoul post, sorry I didn't get to read your comment till now, and I didn't even get a note about it.
    I am glad that I did found your blog as you are the right person I need, I have the desire for sometime to make my own cheese, and i don't know where to start.
    and I am glad I did

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