Gordon's Haywire Ranch

26/08/2024

A few of the 2024 calves. I am loving the looks of these babies. 🤩 Even little Gordon our highland babe is growing!

13/08/2024

Harvested the Garlic today! Couldn't do it all without my helpers.
Garlic is essential for us and the goats too. A garlic clove a few times a month helps them with their parasite resistance.

13/08/2024

Haying had its ups and downs this year, but we are finally done! We are grateful for what we got, considering some didn't get much. We feel blessed. Scarlett even helped me alot this season. What a great way to grow up!

28/06/2024

This guy is for sale! Polled, blue eyed, proven breeder and friendly. Registered too! Pic of his babies for reference!

09/06/2024

Good day for a walk! Highland love ❤️

19/05/2024

06/05/2024

Oh Greta, She definitely adhered to the rules of Doe Code this week. Waiting till the minute we left the farm to pop out this little darling. He's a handsome boy and a super cute addition to our funny farm.

06/05/2024

If I've ever mentioned Doe Code. This is a good explanation of goats and kidding.🐐🐐❤️. This may also apply to Greta the cow.

For those wondering what is:
(Found on web years ago, author unknown)

The doe's secret code of honor is as old as goats themselves and is the species best kept secret. No doe shall ever kid before its time. (Its time being determined by the following factors):

1- No kid shall be born until total chaos has been reached by all involved. Your owner's house must be a wreck, their family hungry and desperate for clean clothes, and their social life nonexistent.

2- "Midwives" must reach the babbling fool status before you kid out. Bloodshot eyes, tangled hair and the inability to form a sentence mean the time is getting close.

3- For every bell, beeper, camera or whistle they attach to you, kidding must be delayed by at least one day for each item. If they use an audio monitor, one good yell per hour will keep things interesting.

4- If you hear the words, "She's nowhere near ready. She'll be fine while we're away for the weekend," Wait until they load the car, then begin pushing!

5- Owner stress must be at an all time high! If you are in the care of someone else, ten to fifteen phone calls a day is a sign you're getting close.

6- When you hear the words "I can't take it anymore!" wait at least three more days.

7 -You must keep this waiting game interesting. False alarms are mandatory! Little teasers such as looking at your stomach, pushing your food around in the bucket and then walking away from it, and nesting, are always good for a rise. Be creative and find new things to do to keep the adrenaline pumping in those who wait.

8- The honor of all goats is now in your hands. Use this time to avenge all of your barn mates. Think about your friend who had to wear that silly costume in front of those people. Hang onto that baby for another day. OH, they made him do tricks too! Three more days seems fair. Late feedings, the dreaded diet, bad haircuts, those awful wormings can also be avenged at this time.

9- If you have fulfilled all of the above and are still not sure when to have the kids, listen to the weather forecast on the radio that has been so generously provided by those who wait. Severe storm warning is what you're waiting for. In the heart of the storm jump into action! The power could go out and you could have the last laugh. You have a good chance of those who wait missing the whole thing while searching for a flashlight that works!

10- Make the most of your interrupted nights. Beg for food each time someone comes into the barn to check you. Your barn mates will love you as the extra goodies fall their way too.

Remember, this code of honor was designed to remind man of how truly special goats are. Do your best to reward those who wait with a beautiful doeling to carry on the Doe Code of Honor for the next generation of those who wait.

30/04/2024

Anyone I know coming from Chetwynd to Taylor area that could haul me 3 standard size goats before the weekend? 😊

27/04/2024

Where there are goats.... there is Goat Milk Soap! Support local and an amazing artisan. Not me but using our farm fresh milk!

11/04/2024

I love this time of year. Babies everywhere.

06/04/2024

One fat baby for Marla, and a cesarean. Poor girl went through alot for this little guy. But she still loves him and so do we.

05/04/2024

Marla came to me across the pen maa-ing quietly like I was her baby. What's up Marla? She never acts like this. Then I see her laying by the barn while everyone else is eating. I got the message, today is the day. Babies are on the way. We had 3 sets of triplets already to start kidding season. One set Wed and 2 sets today! Is Marla having 3 too?

03/04/2024

So I posted about the chick's we hatched but I didn't say we also have 2 Incubators full! Hatching commences this coming week! Playpen brooder is set up and ready to roll. Cool Video in the comments!

03/04/2024

It's spring! We test hatched some chick's the beginning of March. They are growing like crazy. Sweet little babies..especially my white leghorn frizzle. Hoping it's a hen!

03/04/2024

Lady Greta is in waiting! Or maybe it's just us who are impatiently waiting. Can't wait to see whats in there! She's due April 17 but could wait till May 8 or so. Depending if she settled on her first heat or not. 😍🤩

26/02/2024

Some of our new calves. Love these cuties. Good size babies this year. 79-112 lbs. A few more to come but they can wait for the snow storm to pass. These picked a great time to arrive before it got nasty.

26/02/2024

We've been seeing lots of this lately, it's calving time! First the cow will try to find a secluded spot away from the herd, then she will be acting uncomfortable, holding her tail up, wandering around, digging nests in the straw and laying down/getting up. Seeing the water sac and amniotic fluid is exciting because we know if all goes well, the next thing we will see is feet, and then a tongue or a face. In a couple instances we have had to assist but generally they can do it all on their own.