Back in early November, the goats were returned to their owner to be bred. I enjoyed having the goats, and I am enjoying not having the goats. I am very grateful for the experience and the goat's milk, but I am wondering if full time goat dairying is really for me.
You see, I'm enjoying sleeping in on weekends. I like having time in the mornings to exercise, read, shower, dress, and work online before the kiddos wake up. I like getting homeschool started on time. It's nice that I can keep up on the household chores. There are days I don't even have to go outside because my oldest son is willing to care for the remaining animals. I relish time for my hobbies. Do I really want to give all that up again? I don't really mind for a season, but for a good portion of the year?
While I cared for the goats, I wondered how I'd do this if I fell ill. I occasionally get vertigo that either leaves me bedridden or bathroom-bound. And it can be serious enough that I absolutely cannot muscle up and do basic chores. What if that happens?
Plus, I was just babysitting the goats. I didn't have responsibility for their medical care, hoof trimming, etc. I just fed them, cleaned their barn, and milked them. So, it was actually a savings for us to have them. If I actually OWN goats, would it end up costing us?
But, oh, that milk! The self-sufficiency. The quiet, rhythmic times of milking.
The good news is, circumstances may dictate my answer, anyway. We moved the chickens to the goat barn and they've pretty much taken up permanent residence. So, unless we can afford a goat barn in the spring, no goats at all. IF we get a goat barn, then I still have the option of goat-sitting rather than owning.
Perhaps the answer is not now. As my children grow older and less dependent on me and more able to contribute to the running of the farm and household, perhaps goat dairying will be more lucrative. It would be nice to have two available milkers.
I suppose we'll just see where life takes us in 2015.
Boy do I remember those feelings. I don't know if I could ever go back to milking. I really enjoy being able to go away and it's one thing to ask someone to come over and feed your animals and gather some eggs, but an entirely different thing to ask someone to learn how to milk and animal.
ReplyDeleteYes, the milk is nice, but we really don't use enough any more to justify the time and expense. Plus I am busy enough with full time work, a huge garden, and all the other animals.