When Aaron planned a quick Aspen getaway for the family – he didn’t quite factor in the due dates for the goats.
To be fair, he didn’t really know them. Not for sure anyway. He had his hunches, but it was too late. The Airbnb was booked. The wheels were rented. We were committed. Plus, if we hadn’t gone, those goats would inevitably still be pregnant.
But, because we left town during some of the coldest days of January – the goats delivered their kids during some of the coldest days of January.
By some magic, we came home to 13 teeny kids scattered between the pole barn and barn stalls. Every single one arrived healthy and adorable. For the few days that we were gone, they snuggled in with the mamas and made the most of their baby goat sleepover.
Now that we’re home, though, it’s clear that we’ve got to get busy expanding the space we have for them. Coyotes have been surrounding the property every night. We’ve heard Kili and Denali protecting the goats in the Goat Grove late in the evenings as the coyotes move through the pastures. We’ve even seen them protecting the chickens in the middle of the day as critters roam the woodline.
We’re thrilled to be back home and even more over the moon that all of the goats managed their way through welcoming so many new healthy babies. We’ve experienced rough deliveries (especially with the triplets) in the past, so it’s a welcomed relief to know they can handle it on their own just fine. Animals are so cool.
Time to catch up on some chores and figure out what to do with our newly doubled herd.