After more than two years of searching we settled on our hilltop paradise known as Udderly Wicked farms. Our property started as just a house with 20 acres and a garage and has turned into a beautiful retreat from the outside world. When we moved in we had two horses, three chickens and seven call ducks and our dog, we have since expanded these ranks to include our 14 chickens and three goats.
I showed extreme self restraint during the first year on our property, while we put in fences, turned our garage into my "barn" and generally turned a blank canvas into a working farm. But in July of 2016 I could not resist any longer. The ADGA national show was in Harrisburg and I desperately wanted to add goats to my farm again. After a grueling week at work we decided not to drive the 4+ hours to Harrisburg but instead attend the Big Butler Fair, where we hoped to meet some Nigerian breeders. While walking through the sheep and goat barn I spotted a row of beautiful silver Nigerians. Now, I have always loved the color gray on animals, so it was love at first sight when I saw these bouncing balls of silver goat fluff. After waiting around the stalls for a while the owner a 4-H er from Bulter county Madison Myers jumped into her pens. She immediately began loving on the goats when I asked her if any were for sale and if any were does. After some gentle prompting from her mother, Madison agreed her ADGA registered silver doe was for sale. After checking the doe over we decided to purchase Udderly Wicked's first goat! Arrangements were made to pick her up after the fair closed and I could not be more excited! My husband on the other hand seemed only to be happy because I was excited.
The day finally arrived when it was time to pick our new goat so aptly named Ivy up! We put a tarp down in the back of of ford escape and headed over to get her. After thorough instructions and record transfer we loaded Ivy into the car and headed home. She was silent the entire way home, which we thought was odd, but understandable due to the high stress environment she was in. When we got her home we took her around the property showing her the horses, chickens and her new paradise. When it came time to make introductions with our dog, Ivy's true colors showed through. She was so scared when she met our dog Sadie she laid down, if as to say, eat me now, get it over with! Thankfully, the two became fast friends and can regularly be found sun bathing on the back deck together.
Ivy adapted perfectly to her new routine and bonded tightly with our horse Owen. They would regularly be seen eating nose to nose out in the pasture. One thing was made abundantly clear, Ivy needed a companion that was also of the caprine species. Although she spent time with my husband cuddling with her on the front porch and the horses she seemed lonely. That is when we began looking for another goat that could be her companion and friend. Check back next week to see how Chloe became part of our herd !