Critterhaven Farm

They Made Me Do It

I posted to one of the yahoo groups this morning in answer to as question about how you decided what breed of goats to get.  So I decided to put my reply on my blog.  

I feel everything happens for a reason.  Like last night I was very depressed about struggling to make the mortgage payment this month.  Then got the mail, and lo and behold there was a check from the mortgage company for an amount we overpaid when we avoided the foreclosure.  Today we are making the mortgage payment and once again peace reigns here.

Same with the goats.  I feel we were led to the Nigerians.  We have prospered from them in so many ways there is no way this all happened by accident.  So here is our story.

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I kinda fell into Nigerians.  We had a brush goat and an Alpine wether and then a lady was in the feed store that said she was taking her herd of Nigerians to the auction barn.  So I met her in the Walmart parking lot and picked out Snickers and Blaze, two non registered nigerians...and fell in love.  They were not overly friendly but in less than a month became very friendly and I could just see the potential in them.  We acquired a pygmy buck and after the babies were born I was hooked.  Then I chanced upon a wonderful registered nigerian dwarf buckling from the Burns at Chestnut Grove Farm with excellent bloodlines.  Sold the pygmy, got the nigerian...then we had purebred babies.  Then started thinking...finally...what did I want to do with this breed?   I knew I didn't want to do meat goats....just can't eat them.  So I set out to just be a nigerian dwarf breeder of registered and non registered stock.  It is a new breed around here (TN) and many people who have visited the farm fell in love too.  I have a website and started getting reservations for babies not even born yet.  My customers are mainly hobby farmers in the area who like the temperament and the size of the nigerians, and many are first time trying their hand at milking for home consumption.  So with this in mind my focus has now changed to direct my efforts to improving the milking lines and capacity in my herd, while still keeping the nigerians for their size and ..well...you just fall in love with them.  Most of the people that are purchasing stock from me have places of anywhere from 1/2 acre to about 10 acres on average, so the nigerians fit in nicely.

A friend of mine said your overall goal at some point will be where you have your herd consisting of quality animals of your own herd name.  A wonderful goal to aim for.  My problem is I'll still have these foundation animals...because I cannot see parting with them.  Love them too much!  Zorro our foundation herd sire will always reside here until he passes.  We owe him that as well as many of the girls.

I also tried my hand at mini dairy breeds with some wonderful spotted Nubians and some registered mini Nubians.  Shortage of feed with the drought last year forced us to sell those off and it broke my heart, but the majority of the herd went to a farm about an hour from here still in TN, so I get to follow their progress for generations.
But I kept the Nigerians and I would not take anything for the foundation herd we have now.  The Nigerian business is booming here in TN.  Thank goodness!

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They seem to be thinking the same thing.... 

Thought I would post this wonderful salad.  It isn't just for summer but it is delicious!  We fix it everytime for when our ladies get together for secret pals or Ladies Day at church.  Enjoy!

Summer Grape Pecan Salad

Ingredients

• 2 lbs green seedless grapes
• 2 lbs red seedless grapes
• 8 ounces sour cream 
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, to taste

Topping Ingredients

• 1 cup brown sugar, packed, to taste
• 1 cup crushed pecans, to taste

Directions

1. Wash and stem grapes.
2. Set aside.
3. Mix sour cream, cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla by hand until blended.
4. Stir grapes into mixture, and pour in large serving bowl.
5. For topping: Combine brown sugar, and crushed pecans.
6. Sprinkle over top of grapes to cover completely.
7. Chill overnight.