Baa Baa Mountain Goat

Few days ago we visited a goat farm with my french class. It was a whole day visit and we got a real full-on experience on: 'A day in the life of a goat'. The day included mingling with the goats, scratching, hugging, feeding, milking, taking them into the forest pasture and finally cheese-making. The best day I've had in a long time and in a great company as well!

The visit started with a TLC-session with the young ones. The goats are extremely curious and affectionate animals, a bit like dogs with horns. And like eager puppies, they came to make new friends right away and to get some cuddles and scratching behind the ears. These cutie-pies were ready to eat everything within their reach, including our fingers. One of the girls got her scarf 're-modelled', when her attention lapsed for a few seconds.

Anyone recognise the collars they have on...? Yes, the same ones used in jam jars to seal the lid!

Good for catching the little, slippery kids and also marking their names. If they were my goats, that would be Bramble, Strawberry, Blueberry and Apricot there, from left to right!

Feeding time for the grown-ups and nothing else could distract them then. I know the feeling!
Woe to you who come between me and my plate!!

The ladies can come and go as they please and quench their thirst as well.

Every now and then you have to assert your authority and show them who's the boss. Actually there isn't just one, but several dominant females. How they sort out things between themselves or if they are happy to 'co-rule', I've no idea.

All vegetarians look away now!

The goats were not the only animals on the farm. These fellas were enjoying the good pig-life (lying in the sun, rolling in the cool mud and scratching each other) before ending up as a pot of terrine at the farm shop. C'est la vie, I suppose. As long as we want to eat meat, this is the reality.

On a cold day every little ray of sun counts.

And moving on to the men's department. They were only four bucks for the 200 odd female goats, which makes quite a good ratio, eh? Happy days for the boys!
Although at the time they were separated from the herd in their own enclosure, far away I might add, to give the poor females a rest! Wearisome beasts indeed. Or should I say horny...

And back to the nursery...'Whass in your bag?'

It's true, goats will eat anything! Luckily they are not carnivores.

Milking time!

The goats were enticed onto their places by extra snacks, and once attached, they were ready to be milked - by us! Yes, we were in for a hands-on experience and though it was a little bit tricky at the start, we managed not bad. Apparently well used to the novice milkers, only couple of them tried to kick they way into freedom.

'I've had a very busy and tiring day, so I want a bubble bath and champagne, tout de suite'

And then onto the new pastures. With two chevriers (goatherds), we walked them through the forest to their daily grazing ground.

And you had to be careful since the goats brushed past you fast, not caring whether they made you tumble nose first to the ground at the same time.

And eating again!

The last activity of the day was to try some cheese-making. These will be eaten by the pigs since, as you see, the conditions are not très hygiénique. But we got the gist of things. 
The goats produce about 350 litres of milk per day and that will be made into 700 cheeses.

And the end-product! I bought the red cheese on the top, a sundried tomato-flavoured cheese, which was absolutely delicious! I think I need to return here very soon!

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