Goats - angoras, Boers, cashmeres, dairys and even ferals

"Who's that tripping over my bridge?" roared the troll.
But the three billy goats Gruff ignored him and crossed over anyway.
So much for the Norwegian folk tale!

I ask you, how can anyone not like goats?

Children certainly love them and love to hear stories about them. I have written a couple goat stories but never had them published - I should keep trying.

One day I must write a book about goats - just havne't got around to it yet!

Pic: Three of my angora goats at Bluegum Park, Waroona W Australia back in the 90s.

Lord, let me live as I will
I need a little wild freedom
A little gladness of heart
The strange taste of unknown flowers
For whom else are your mountains?
Your snow, wind? - These springs?
The sheep do not understand as they graze
All of them and always in the same direction
And then eternally
Chew the cud of their insipid routine
But I - I love to bound to the heart of your marvels,
Leap your chasms
And, with my mouth filled
With intoxicating grasses
Quiver with an adventurer's delight
On the summit of the world.

Poem: Translated from the French by Rumen Goddem
Photo: Robert Dunn, NZ 2006

I have run goats of all varieties for 17 years.
I have served on various goat committees.
I have written numerous articles on goats which have appeared in major goat magazines such as The Goat Farmer (NZ)) and rural newspapers.
I kept a goat diary (not dairy) for many years.
I have assisted hundreds of kids into the world.
I have even performed emergency caesarians and mended broken legs.

As a published author, I am still have ambitions to publish a goat book - one day.
If any of the above interest you or you have any comments, please contact me.

Do goats grieve?

I believe they certainly do.
With the goats just kidded, I feel for the ones whose kid's die for one reason or another. If/when it dies, the doe paws it and tries to get it onto its feet. She licks it, and at night she lays beside it. If you remove it then she will go around for two days looking for it and calling for it. It's an easily recognisable call, quite plaintive.
But it's not just newly kidded does who show feelings of loss.
Goats are very family oriented. They stay together and sleep together in family groups.
I sold some goats yesterday and didn't realize I had sold the 3 previous years offspring of one six year old doe. She had a one year old, a 2 year old and a three year old..
Today she had been wandering around the paddock crying/calling and looking for them everywhere.
Don't I feel like a real rotter.

Coloured angoras with lusterous long flowing fleeces are not often seen.

The natural colour of the mohair can be anything from solft silver-grey to dark charcoal, and more rearely, beige to dark brown.
Kids are born with a jet black fleece. The hair lightens and changes in colour as they grow.
Coloured mohair is usually much finer than the normal white mohair and can command a much higher price than commercial white fleece, escpecially on the craft market.
Good quality coloured angoras are always in demand.The fine coloured fleece is sought after by handspinners and weavers as it can be used virtually straight from the goat's back.
Mohair can be blended with wool, alpaca, silk or any other natural fibre. It produces a soft silky luxury yarn.
Hobby farmers, tourist parks and cottage crafters are keen on coloured angoras which are seldom seen in large herds.
The goats are shorn twice a year.

Some years ago I ran a herd of 20 coloured angoras along with 120 whites and a small group of coloured (melanian) sheep.

For centuries, dollmakers have used mohair to create flowing ringlets for their dolls' hair. With its soft handle, beautiful lustre and ability to accept both natural and synthetic dyes, mohair is the traditional material used.

Dawn Duncan of the Diamond Angora Stud in Western Australia handcrafts lengths of wefted mohair. These are sold to dollmakers in Australia and overseas.

Dolls' wigs can vary in length from half and inch on the small boy dolls to 12 inches (30 cms) on the large traditional European style dolls. But to produce a 12 inch fleece takes 12 months hair growth.

To achieve this Dawn picks the animal which she thinks will be suitable. The selected Angoras with a six months fleece, are kept in the shed for a further six months.

Dawn does not bleach or comb the mohair. I select animals with a free flowing blocky staple. A goat whose mohair is dry and fine is more likely to get crossed fibres as the hair grows," said Dawn. "Some style and character are important but if it has too much character, it is not suitable."

When preparing the wefts, Dawn works with the shorn end of the mohair. She hand picks each staple and machines it into a long weft, up to 1.5 meters in length. The wefts are then washed and dyed. Dawn uses human hair dyes but has used synthetic dyes to produce vibrant colours. The dollmakers need up to one meter to make a wig for a large doll. This is sewn in circles onto a mesh on the doll's head," said Dawn.

But not all dolls have long or curled hair. Sometimes dollmakers straighten the hair or cut it short for fringes. "People want short hair for baby dolls. Kid fleece is popular for fairy dolls; fly-away hair with a nice lustre." Some dollmakers want hair on tanned skin to make a pate, and long mohair is in demand before Christmas for Father Christmas' beards.

My forthcoming novel, The Twisting Vine, cameos an antique French Bru Doll.

Mohair is a beautiful fibre to work with and in the past I have spun heaps of it in both white and colours - even dyed some.

I also tanned my own skins and made an assortment of toys and teddybears.

Pic - Here is one toy I retained - unfortunatley I sold all my bears - now I wish I had kept some.

This is the only statue I have ocme across with an angora goat in it.
It is in Saltaire in Yorkshire and was erected in memory of Sir Titus Salt, the philanthropist/entrepreneur who set up the mill and model town at Saltaire in the 1850s.
From the very early days Salt was importing alpaca fibre from South America, and also mohair (which comes from angora goats) to add the luxury sheen and feel to his yarn.
The yarns were transported to the mill on the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

Salt's mill still uses these exotic fibres to produce its quality speciality cloths.
The bust of Sir Titus Salt today stands in the entrance to the United Reformed Church (formerly the Congregational Church) on the canal bank in Saltaire.

At his feet are an alpaca and a mohair goat and beneath them, though not visible in the picture is a detailed carving of the mill itself.

Photo: M Muir 2006

Perhaps I should train my goats for the ballet?

Photo: M Muir Oct 2006

On a visit to England some years ago I came across a small farm in the south where the farmer invited me to view his animals.
It was not a commercial enterprise, but for me, it was like discovering Eldorado.
Here was a mixed flock consisting of some of the rarest of the rare breeds of sheep and goats in England.
For example, wonder at the horns on this Manx Loghtan
This is a sheep! And what a magnificent creature.
The Manx Loghtans - some carrying six horns - once roamed throughout Scotland. Their origins are hard to assess. It is know that multi-horned sheep were brought to the Hebrides by the Vikings in their longships. Also they are similar to the native sheep of Iceland.
The loghtan (mouse brown) colour became established when the animals settled in the Isle of Man.
At one stage, however, numbers dwindled and only 100 of these wonderful animals remained.

Then compare the sweeping horns of the beautiful Bagot goat (see article below) - an animal whose history is shrouded in the veils of history. A rare and ancient breed, which survived for 600 years in England under the protection of one aristocratic family.
In the 1970s attempts were made to exterminate it and when only 12 goats remained, it was only the dedication of a handful of people which saved them from extinction.
With the tireless effort of the breed society, of study groups, and of individuals such as Peter Evans, there are now many Bagot goats scattered around England.

Note: As I lost the address of the farm I visited, I was never able to thank the farmer. Though this is very belated, I commend him on his care for these rare animals and also thank him for allowing me to experience their equally rare magic.

The first kid of the season is this little doe.
Pictured at 2 hours old.
She is a full blood Boer goat.

Photo: M. Muir - August 23, 2006 Western Australia

"The little known history of the Bagot goat is interlaced with images of knights on horseback, kings and coats of arms. A story spanning 800 years where fact, legend and folklore are closely intertwined.
When Richard the Lionheart returned from the Holy Land in 1194, Prince John was Regent of England and Robin Hood championed the poor from Sherwood Forest - the legend is well known. But what is unknown is that when Richard returned from the crusades it is thought he brought back a few black-headed goats from the Rhone valley of Switzerland.
Two hundred years later in 1380, a young Richard 11 presented a herd of black and white goats to Sir John Bagot of Blithfield Hall in Staffordshire.
These were released into Bagot Park, 800 acres of woodland on the edge of the great Needlewood Forest. This was their home for 600 years. But in 1939, Blithfield Estate was bought with the intention of drowning the land to create a massive reservoir.
The following year the War Agriculture Executive issued an extermination order which Lord Bagot disputed. The goats were reprieved but in 1953 most of the land was flooded.
Of the hundreds of goats which had freely roamed the woodlands only 20 were kept. These were brought to the Hall by Lady Bagot.
By 1979 only 12 goats survived giving them the dubious distinction of being the rarest of the rare breeds of the British Rare Breeds survival Trust. Nancy, Lady Bagot had no option but to entrust their survival to the RBST."

I wrote this article for the The Goat Farmer Magazine (NZ) June 2000 but now discover that the legend regarding Richard the Lionheart has been partially disproved.
It appears that the goats did arrive at Bagot Park in the late 1300s as a gift from Richard 11. But the question remains, where did the goats come from?
For an update check out the Bagot Goat Breed Society website. (Photo: curtesy of Peter Evans)

While goats, particularly in the Middle Ages, were maligned as being agents of the devil, they have long been providers of food (meat and cheese), milk, skin and fibre (mohair and cashmere) products, and in many countries of the world are still major providers or food and income.
I, for one, have run goats for their fibre, meat and companionship for 17 years (about the same time as I have been writing - there must be a message in that somewhere - but I'll get back to that later).
I found it interesting reading the following on a Mediaeval Bestiary website:
The goat's love of high mountains represents Christ, who also loves high mountains, that is, the prophets, angels and patriarchs. As the goat feeds in the valleys, so does Christ in the church, where good works are his food. The sharp eyesight of the goat shows the omniscience of God and his perception of the tricks of the devil.

All I can say is, one must come to one's own conclusion. You can guess what mine is!

Bestiary website referred to: http://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast163.htm
Photo: M Muir - Bakers Hill, Australia

Anglo Nubians kids can be striking.
Their colour markings (unlike the other dairy breeds) are unique.
And don't you love the long velvety ears?

Photo: M Muir

Well I've seen many things in 17 years of goat farming, but yesterday was the first time I had seen an anaphylactic reaction in a goat -
That's my estimation of what it was and I'm not a vet - so if anyone can correct me please do so.

The goats was in poor condition and as I live in a cobalt and selenium deficient area here in Western Australia, I gave her a vaccine of 3 in 1 with selenium and a 4 ml injection of B12.
I administered the injections subcutaneously.
Within about 5 minutes of the injection the goat was hyperventilating (rapid breathing, her mouth was open, her tongue looked bluish and thick. In all it probably lasted between around 10 minutes.
My assumption was that she had suffered an acute allergic reaction to one of the injections - most likely the B12 as I had exceeded the recommended dosage.
My immediate worry was that the reaction was causing her throat and tongue tissues to swell and her airways to tighten as in a penicillin reaction or asthma attack. The only thing that came to mind as a possible solution was to give her some Ventolin by inhaler. I administered four of five puffs into her mouth though I think most got blown out with her rapid breathing.
Whether my home-grown diagnosis was right or whether the home-grown treatment helped or hindered, I don't know.
If anyone can advise me, I'd be pleased to hear your comments.
What I do know is that the doe in question is alive and feeding today and no worse for her 'funny turn'.

Photo: There is nothing wrong with this kid. A New Zealand goat living in the mountain country (R Dunn - 2006).

When I left Western Australia, I sold my flock of boer goats.
I now live in Tasmania.
Despite going out of goats, I still believe there is enormous potential for farming goats commercially.
And hobby goats are wonderful for the soul.

Photo: My last senior buck, 'Akhenaten' who was born in 2003. He's was a nice quite guy and has excellent markings and a splendid head.

Photo by M.Muir

FLOATING GOLD, published May 2010 , has received excellent reviews by age-of-sail enthusiasts. Here are some excerpts:

FLOATING GOLD is a wonderful blend of classic Georgian naval fiction, a mystery/thriller and a grand treasure hunt. A rousing tale, well told. It's a well-paced and vividly drawn tale of adventure in the high latitudes and on the high seas. Highly recommended.
http://www.oldsaltblog.com

When you have read as many naval fiction novels as I have, the first challenge a new author and book has to meet is - do the story and characters seem fresh? This is a challenge Floating Gold achieves from cover to cover in a pacy narrative which held my attention.
Would I like to read more of Captain Quintrell, Lieutenant Parry, Acting Carpenter Will Ethridge and their adventures? I certainly would.
A book I recommend.
http://www.historicnavalfiction.com

FLOATING GOLD is a nautical thriller that involves a well-plotted treasure hunt. Other nautical heroes too have been chasing treasures on the high seas and in exotic locations, most often Spanish galleons loaded with gold, but none of them - to my knowledge - have ever been chasing a treasure like the one that is featured in this book.
It is an innovative and entertaining tale, rich on detail about England and life at sea, and a tale that is very well told.
FLOATING GOLD is an excellent nautical fiction debut by Margaret Muir. I hope she continues to write about Quintrell - a character that I feel has a lot of potential.
If you like historical fiction, salty sea tales or clever adventures, FLOATING GOLD is a book you should get hold of - it is very entertaining, well written and intelligently plotted! http://www.navyfiction.com

To order a copy go to Hale Books (UK) or The Book Depository (world-wide postage free).

An Exciting equestrian adventure set on the Patagonian Pampas in 1885.
No goats, I'm afraid, but there are a couple of Newfoundland dogs in the story.

THE CONDOR'S FEATHER is due July 2009.
To order at a BIG discount price and with FREE WORLDWIDE DELIVERY go to:
THE BOOK DEPOSITORYis an on-line bookshop which not only gives discount prices but provides Free Worldwide Delivery.
Also on-line with discount at Waterstones or from Amazon UK.