Thursday, December 10, 2020

GOATS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

 This was a fun experience watching several baby goats running around and playing in a large field.  Adults were  in the same field as their offspring, a little quieter and slower.  Parents and children are the same across the species I think.  All across the species, kids seem to be bright balls of energy. 

This was a few years ago when I drove out to Middleburg to meet some friends for lunch.  Thankfully the traffic wasn't heavy.  Normally the town has a lot of traffic going back and forth, but this day it was much quieter and it made for a pleasant ride, country roads all the way.  I was looking for a sign on the main street of Middleburg, which would tell me to turn left towards The Plains.  It is a lovely ride and about half way to the town I saw a field of goats, very active goats, at least the kids were active.  I pulled into a gate and parked for ten minutes, took my photos and enjoyed all the frolicking.  I always plan to arrive early and would have plenty of time to meet my friends. 

They were adorable and here are a few facts about goats. 

Goats were one of the first animals to be tamed by humans, and were being herded 9,000 years ago.
Goats can be taught their name and to come when called.

The life span of a goat is about that of a dog.
Each baby goat - called a kid - has a unique call, and along with its scent, that is how its mother recognizes it from birth, not by sight.
Counter to the dominant stereotype about goats being willing to eat anything, they are actually picky eaters.  They have sensitive lips, which they use to 'mouth' things in search of clean and tasty food.  They will often refuse to eat hay that has been walked on or lying around loose for a day.
Goats are herd animals and will become depressed if kept without any goat companions.  So, it is unhealthy for a goat if a family just owns one as a pet.

Goats, being mountain animals, are very good at climbing.  They have been known to climb to the tops of trees, or even dams.  
Goats' pupils (like many hooved animals) are rectangular.  This gives them vision for 320 to 340 degrees (compared to humans with 160 to 210) around them without having to move, and they are thought to have excellent vision.
Goats are foragers, not grazers. In their natural habitat they roam mountaintops and reach up as high as possible to pick out choice bits of forage around them.

I found out these interesting facts and more at this website.  





36 comments:

  1. You chose the right word, the baby goats are adorable! I didn't know they can learn their names.

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    1. Thank you Ginny, it's interesting to learn about them :)

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  2. I have a very soft spot for goats. I am pleased to say that our local council is now using them to weed/cut back difficult areas around the lake. The goats can get to areas where mowers cannot, and NO pesticides are used. Win/win. If ever I see them I will take photos.

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    1. Me too, and what a lovely idea :) Good for the council! I knew of a house with a large piece of land that had goats for the same thing. They don't have them there any more though. Perhaps the home owners changed.

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  3. How interesting as I've never given it thought of how long goats have been around or where they came from - they were just there.
    Thanks for sharing and those little ones like all little young animals are ever so sweet.

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    1. You're very welcome Margaret, happy you found these facts interesting and enjoyed the photographs :)

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  4. Hello Denise,

    The goats are so cute, I love the adorable kids. Take care, have a happy day!

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    1. Hello Eileen, so glad and you take care and have a happy day also :)

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  5. I, too, enjoy watching baby goats play with each other. These goats are adorable; great pictures of them.

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    1. Hi Linda :) thank you and happy you enjoyed. They are fun to watch aren't they?

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  6. I love goats, fab photos and info. Keep safe, Diane

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    1. They are adorable aren't they? Thank you Diane, glad you enjoyed and you keep safe also :)

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  7. the photos of the single babies are amazing, shows how they romp and play and they are adorable. they are so light when picked up. our petting zoo brought them and my job was to move them from person to person sitting in their wheel chairs.

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    1. Thanks Sandra, they are such fun to look at and I just laughed and laughed and laughed. What a warm story about you at the petting zoo. Loved that!

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  8. So cute...

    And interesting facts. Especially that they should not be kept as a pet, alone.

    🎄 🎅 🎁 🎄

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    1. Thank you BB and I thought that was interesting too. If ever I got goats I would get a few of them. I wonder how many other domesticated animals we need to help out too?

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  9. So much fun to watch! You got some great shots!

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  10. Hello Dear Blogging Friends, I am a bit late visiting and commenting lately, but hope to catch up with you all over the weekend. Thank you so much for visiting and leaving a comment. I enjoy them so much, usually when I am having a cup of tea. Take good care of yourselves, and have a great Friday and weekend :)

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  11. I enjoyed seeing these photographs, and many thanks for the facts about goats.

    All the best Jan

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  12. Your adorable goats made me smile, Denise! Such interesting facts about them. I love the photos of the kids especially.

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  13. I love baby goats! Thanks for an interesting post.

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    1. Me too and you are very welcome. Thank you Linda :)

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  14. When we used to take the kids to the fair, I always was drawn to the goats. The kids to be exact. I love your photos of them.

    my daughter used to work with a woman who had a couple goats. One learned to open the door to their house. And came in and ate her son's homework. True story. the teachers did not believe her son.

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    1. I enjoyed your memories Rose and thank you :). The homework story gave me a chuckle. I hope the young boy’s mother cleared that matter up with his teacher.

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