Our dairy goats are not only foundational to Goat Milk Stuff, but they are a big part of our family as well.  Each of them has a personality and during this series we’re hoping you’ll get to know more about them.

Valley is one of Indigo’s birthday goats. The day she was born, we were at China Garden Buffet for Indigo’s birthday dinner, and half way through, Mom said “we need to hurry, I feel like something’s happening.” So we hurried through our dinner, and when we got home, Mom sent Colter to check on the goats.

He came back saying that he couldn’t find Veanna (Valley’s mom) anywhere. Everyone scattered, grabbing flashlights and boots and rushing out to the pasture to search for Veanna. It was pitch black outside, so the kids ran in different directions to search.

A few minutes later, someone yelled from the shelter in the back of the pasture, “Found her!!”

A few seconds later, “WITH A BABY!”

Why Veanna left the “warm” barn in February to have her kid out in the shelter we’ll never understand.  But she did a good job licking Valley dry, so she was safe.  We then searched the entire pasture inch by inch to make sure there wasn’t another baby out there, but it was just Valley.

Ever since then, Valley has been one of Indigo’s favorite birthday goats.

Valley is now 3 years old and is one of our easiest goats to milk.  And she’s a good mom that likes to give us doelings – remember when she had Vanish and Venice?

Valley is also a favorite in the barn – except perhaps with Greyden.  I was talking with the boys about Valley the other day and the conversation went something like this:

Brett: So, what can you tell me about Valley?

Greyden: She’s fat.

Emery: She’s not fat, she’s a sweetheart.

Greyden: No, she’s stubborn.

Emery: She’s not stubborn, she’s a sweetheart.

Greyden: She’s stubborn and fat.

Emery: No, she’s not!

Greyden: She’s probably stubborn because she’s fat.

Emery: Greyden, she’s not fat!

Greyden: No, she’s big and fat.

Emery: You’re big and fat.

At this point, everyone started laughing, and it was a moment before I could hear Greyden protesting, “I’m the opposite of big and fat! I’m small and skinny.”

The conversation deteriorated from there, becoming a verbal sparring match between the two of them, discussing how fat and stubborn she was or was not. Colter managed to get in something about how we love Valley’s udder and how much milk she gives, but I couldn’t really hear him over Emery and Greyden, who could barely keep talking because they were laughing so hard.

We currently have 2 of Valley’s kids – Vanish and Venice, as well as her grand-daughter, Anne.  We have to sell some goats this year, and it’s going to be hard to decide which of her line to keep!

We’ve never gotten a buckling out of Valley and Emery is really hoping she’ll give us one this year.  If so, Mom told Emery that he could keep him.

So that’s Valley!  Did you enjoy getting to know her better?