As a result of our ever growing goat herd and our goal to continuously improve our sustainable practices, we have turned our focus on the goat’s house. We currently have 10 goats and are preparing for the next breeding season. Our facilities cannot support any more goats. With 6 goats old enough for breeding this season we need to expand our housing for this year’s new arrivals.
This week Carlos, Asdrubel (our goat herder) and I went to see a farmer in Quebradas that has more than 40 goats. He invited us to visit his farm and see his operation first hand. It was a very informative visit. We got many great ideas about how to build our new goat facilities. He has raised platforms to house and feed the goats. There is also a special platform for milking. The goats are trained that when he opens the pen's gate and calls the goat, she runs out and jumps up on the platform ready to be milked.
This facility didn’t house just goats. He also had a place for dairy cows, pigs, chickens, ducks and pigeons. There were also guinea hens. These birds are fascinating to watch. They have large bodies with short necks and small white heads. They roam around the yard looking for insects.
Part of this animal barn included a pen for the yound kids - 6 month olds. There were about 12 of them. Each one was as adorable as the next. As much as I try to be a true farmer, my emotions sometimes get the best of me. I fell in love with each of the kids. There was one that was especially cute. Long story short, Carlos was just as touched by these baby goats as I was and he bought her before I knew what was happening.
Her name is Cachita. She was named Cachita because she has only 1 horn and it is very small. Cacho is Costa Rican slang for horn. So her name means little horn. Cachita’s markings of black, white and tan make her especially adorable. Here are a few photos of the newest member of the Monte Azul family. She makes goat #11.
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