August 2018 - Why Would You Keep Goats?
Members of the Horndean & District U3A met for their regular monthly meeting on Friday 3rd August 2018 at Merchistoun Hall. They were entertained by an interesting and delightful talk by Mary Dore - "What on earth do you want to keep goats for."
In Mary's introduction (being born just before the war) she reminded us of the difficult years where we had to make do and mend, ate everything on our plates, were grateful and didn't moan! There were lots of nodding heads in agreement! She was born in Streatham, was fond of animals, especially dogs. She wanted to be vet but girls were not encouraged at that time so she went into teaching. She met her husband at Scottish dancing and they have been dancing for the past 55 years. They had two children in Surrey then moved down to Hampshire and had a third child.
Mary decided not to go back into teaching and whilst sitting in her garden suggested to her husband that it would be good if they had a goat because they would get milk, cream and cheese. He agreed much to her astonishment. She studied a great deal all about goats and she started going to local shows at the New Forest & Romsey asking for advice; where it soon became obvious that she would need to keep two goats rather than just one. She joined the Hampshire Goat Club where there were about 350 to 400 members - nowadays there are only about 10 to 20 members mainly due to the regulations regarding milk which makes it difficult. Pasteurisation etc.
They bought a piece of land from their neighbours and set it up for their first goatling, named Heidi who was one year old. She became a maiden milker giving about two pints a day but needed company. Mary found an advert in a local paper and bought Miranda. Miranda had horns and she was the boss! Mary had to learn the different technique of milking goats.
Mary decided that she wanted Heidi to have kids and found a Mrs Pike who had a Billy goat which she was willing to have him serve her goats. Billys know what they are about - blink and you miss it! The billy goats smell is revolting and after the mating Heidi stunk too. They had to take her home in their car! Their gestation period is about 5 months and she produced three female kids. Mary decided to bottle feed the kids which made them more friendly. Heidi was giving 2 pints, after the births she produced 10.
It was sad because she couldn't keep any of the kids because they didn't have enough ground. She had their ears marked and stamped with a dye and a number. She then sold them. Many years later one of the kids came back to Mary which she was able to identify from her ear mark.
One of Mary's daughters loved horse riding so they bought her a pony. They then decided that they needed more land and found a small holding with 5.5 acres in Alresford. They took down chicken houses etc and built goat sheds and stalls.
Mary then talked specifically about goats. They are flight animals hence their large alert ears. Goats eyes are very different, are elongated and do not have pupils. Some goats have toggles (made of gristle and hair) which hang down from their necks - often removed. They have hair, not hide and do not like to get too wet, cold or hot and like shelter and shade. They have cloven hooves and domestic goats need to have them trimmed regularly. They have bottom teeth all the way round and a hard palate at the top which enables them to eat their favourites, trees. They have four stomachs and cud their food until it goes through them all.
Heidi was mated again and she had two female and one male kid. Male kids are either put down at birth or castrated and reared for meat. Mary then demonstrated the instrument used for castration which puts a rubber ring around the testicles and they then drop off after about a fortnight. Lots of groans among the members!
Mary's goats produced lots of milk which she used to sell and also made into curds and cheese. It is extremely beneficial to people who are intolerant to cow's milk. It helps digestion and the skin.
Heidi lived until she was about nine and sadly had to be put down after a false pregnancy. "What on earth do you want to keep goats for" was what her elderly mother said to her after she gave up a proper job to keep goats! Mary replied to several questions and was thanked for an entertaining and interesting talk.
Diane Stoner
Speaker Coordinator