October 12, 2014

My First Kinder Buck

I am thrilled to announce that I have my first Kinder buck.

El Dorado Kinders Alabama

He's a three year old, third generation Kinder, and the first of two bucks I'm buying this year. His mother was his breeder's best milker and has a history of giving birth to multiples; quints last year, in fact. Whether those traits will pass on genetically remains to be seen, but to me it was a good recommendation when other factors, such as conformation, are equal.

Gruffy, our Pygmy, has really been giving him the business. The partial
horns you see are scurs. Scurs are horn growths that occur after disbudding.

He was hard to catch to load him up into my jeep and I think he's the least tame buck we've had so far. But then, bucks are not usually handled a lot like does are. He spent the first night in one of the goat stalls. The next morning I wormed him and we trimmed his hooves before letting him out, because I doubt we'll ever catch him again.

In his own mind, Gruffy's as big as a buffalo.

Alabama has two lovely ladies (Helen and Daphne) to breed this fall, which will mean Kinder kids this spring! His Certificate of Merit has been applied for, so that my kids will qualify for registry with the Kinder Goat Breeders Association. Breeders often don't apply for registry papers until after goats have been sold.

Not sure if we'll call him Alabama or come up with a nickname. We're trying
several on for size: Al, Ala, Bama, Sweetie, Lynyrd, Jeff, Teddy, Randy?

Buck number two is three months old and on his way from California. We're still working on shipping arrangements, but I hope to have an arrival announcement for him soon too.

18 comments:

weavinfool said...

I think Randy is a perfect name for a buck!

jewlz said...

Yet another dream made manifest. Must feel awesome, & I can't wait to see baby kinders! Just makes me wish I were ready for the goat phase of the journey here.

Dani said...

I agree with weavinfool. Randy is the perfect name - which he hopefully lives up to ;)

Anonymous said...

Lol, love the moniker Randy too. I think it's perfect for a buck. :)

Tuesday said...

Finally catching up on what's happening in your world. What a handsome boy! I hope the ladies like him.

Definitely Randy...

PS: i think your front porch is going to look awesome!!

Leigh said...

Ya'll, thanks! Randy, huh? He's definitely "randy", LOL, although I was thinking of the singers' names for the group "Alabama." Dan's started to call him "Sweetness" (for the song "Sweet Home Alabama") which is actually kind of an oxymoron, cuz' as a buck he smells anything but!

Farmer Barb said...

That Buck Smell is such a strong imprint on me, I actually smell it when I think about it. I don't think I'd WANT to catch him without a hazmat suit on. I like Randy, too.

Will the offspring of Lily and Randy be considered Kinder or is that outside of the body style? Can you update your critter page? I feel certain that some of these goats no longer live with you! I was looking to se who was and who wasn't eligible.

Mama Pea said...

Congratulations on your new addition . . . and the little buck yet to arrive. You are really making great strides toward creating the herd you want. I'm happy for you!

Leigh said...

Barb, I find the bucky smell doesn't wash off very well either. You should smell my jeep!

Good question about the breeding. Lily is Nubian and Randy is Kinder, so their offspring would simply be Nubian/Kinder cross goats. Lily (or Surprise, also Nubian) and Gruffy would make Kinders. I'm not planning to breed Lily this year, but I'm going to give Surprise and Gruffy a try. Randy will get Daphne and Helen, and yes! I will definitely update my critter page today!

Mama Pea, thank you! I honestly wasn't expecting things to fall into place so quickly and easily; they just have. I simply took the next step, fully accepting that it might be a closed door, but so far every door has opened. Still planning on getting some Kinders from Kinder Korner next spring to round out my little mini-heard.

thewovenspoke said...

Good name for him, Randy and yes I too still remember the smell from a childhood goat.

Rob said...

You sure know how to stay busy. How many animals are you planning for??

Mark said...

Love your list of nicknames for Alabama! I especially like the "musical" names. He is a handsome guy (as goats go). Hope your boys come to an understanding, and he gives you some really great kids.

Leigh said...

thewovenspoke, it's one of those smells that makes an impression, lol

Rob, the key is going to be how many animals the land can support, and we're still feeling that one out. The Kinders maintain good body weight on less inputs than the high maintenance breeds like Nubians, plus they're smaller. I'm hoping to be able to keep six does over winter and two bucks, but we'll see!

Mark, I finally separated the two boys and the instant I did, it was like, "Oh no! Don't do this! We're best buds!" LOL. Alabama is pretty good looking for a buck. At least we think so. :)

Fiona from Arbordale Farm said...

Glad you can move forward with your breeding goals. You might need to check your post as it looks like you have double posted one paragraph.

Doug Pitcher said...

I like your approach of adding animals slowly and methodically. It's pretty easy to start collecting animals just because you can but every addition add responsibility which shouldn't be taken lightly. We've been offered animals here and there from couples who are breaking up and selling the farm. We've rejected those offers mostly as we don't want the added pressure of numerous variant animals pulling things apart.

Leigh said...

Fiona, thanks for catching that paragraph! I do a lot of editing, especially after I add photos. Looks like I did a copy and paste rather than a cut and paste.

Doug, it sounds like you have the same concerns for your animals welfare as we do. Accepting offers of free animals would be tempting indeed. The last thing we want to do is get in over our heads! In fact, I sold three goats before buying Alabama; one, for the money to buy him, and two, so we wouldn't have too many goats.

Harry Flashman said...

You sure have some nice looking animals. A fellow up in Maine said he had lots of acorns he needed to get rid of, but he didn't know anyone who had pigs. I thought how nice it would be if he lived down near you!

Michelle said...

Hooray! I'm so happy for you, that you are finally getting Kinders after all this time! It makes me think of people who try and try for years to have a baby, and when they finally give up it happens. :-)