Meet Brady & Bruschi

Brady & Bruschi

When we first moved here we knew we needed something to help maintain the large fenced in pasture.  Jamie wanted to go straight to getting beef cattle to raise to eat but I said no way.  We are not going to get the largest farm animal you can get with us not having any experience.  I had been doing lots of research on goats and thought that they would work well with the pasture and also the type of fencing we have, which is chain link.  Also the barn attached to the large pasture is just one big open room so we needed some type of animal that we didn't need stalls for.  We decided on goats. Dairy goats to be more specific.  I didn't want to raise meat goats not knowing if I would ever eat it and Jamie & I talked about whatever animals we have on the farm they have to have purpose, not just pets. So we decided on dairy goats. They will help maintain the pasture but we will also be milking the goats too.  I will be trying my hand at making yogurt and all different types of cheese and maybe even soap with the milk from our goats.  We were not suppose to get the goats until next year but realized we would need to get the goats immediately instead of waiting.

I started looking on the Internet for some dairy goats, specifically Nubian's.  There are lots of types of dairy goats but I just love the long ears the Nubian's have.  We found a wonderful couple named Pat & Katie and got in touch with them about purchasing some goats. 

The day we went to pick up the boys was a very interesting day, full of learning.  We went to Pat & Katie's farm, Salem Farms in Norene, TN.  They spent about 3 hours with us showing us around, letting us meet and play with all of their goats.  We also learned all about caring for goats including feeding them, vaccinations and worming and also hoof trimming.  We also all learned about milking and got to hand milk a goat that day.

Once our day came to an end we got to bring Brady & Bruschi home.  We put them in a large dog crate and brought them home in my minivan.

Meet Brady

Brady was named after Tom Brady of the Patriots. He is full Nubian and is registered with the ADGA, which is the American Dairy Goat Association.  Brady will be our future herd sire.  That means he will be the daddy of all the babies we will have here.  It also means any babies he sires, we will be able to register.  It's kinda like when you get a purebred dog and register it with AKC. Same thing but just with goats.

Brady

Brady's personality is hard to put words to.  He loves to "talk". Anytime he sees anyone he starts to hollering to get you to come over and see him to give him pets.  Once you are with him he is quiet and wants to stand very close to you.  He loves to have pets on his head and neck but really loves to be rubbed right in between is front legs on his chest.  He stands real still and will half close his eyes in ecstasy.  He's a real sweet boy and I have grown very attached to him in the short time he has been here.

Meet Bruschi

Bruschi is named after Teddy Bruschi of the Patriots. He is 1/2 Nubian and 1/2 Lamancha.  Lamancha goats have these really tiny ears so when you breed them with a Nubian you get "airplane" ears, that is what Bruschi has.  Bruschi is what is called a wether.  He has been castrated.  He will never have babies.  Goats do not do well living by themselves, you have to have more than 1. The boys will be living separately from the girls so we needed to get a buddy for Brady and Bruschi fit the bill.  I just thought he was too cute.

Bruschi

Bruschi was named perfectly for his personality because he fits a linebacker.  He is bigger than Brady as Lamanchas, which Bruschi is 1/2 are.  He is not very talkative but will call every now and then to show his excitement.  He loves to have pets too on his head and loves the have his cheeks rubbed.  He also will stand real still to have his chest rubbed, he likes to hang his head real low when we rub there.  Bruschi is a little pushy, wants all the attention and will try to push Brady out of the way to be closer to me.  He is so sweet and we love him too.

Brady & Bruschi love each other and are best buddies.  I am very happy that we decided to go with dairy goats because there is NO way I could butcher and eat these babies. I'm sure they will be with us for a long time.

Best Buddies

Check back soon for the introduction of the girl goats.  We will be getting 5 in June.