I have now had Korina the goat for 5 weeks. At the moment I am writing this, she is pacing in her pen because I haven't been out to see her yet today. Not because I'm a neglectful, mean owner, but because it's 40 degrees outside and raining. However, I will trudge out in the mud shortly to give her some reassuring pats and feed her some cornstalks.
We have made some progress:
1. She will allow me to touch her most of the time without jumping out of reach.
2. She will allow me to somewhat lead her on the leash (though I discovered that if you press too hard on their windpipes they fall to their knees and convulse - a scary observance).
3. She knows that the coffee can means grain is coming and I'd better run into my house to get some.
Areas we have not progressed:
1. She still will not eat hay, and the leaves will be gone soon.
2. She's still trying to get out. The other day I came out to see her rather late in the day, then soon walked away to do some gardening. Not hearing her cry, I thought maybe she was handling separation better. Silly me. I kept peering over at her pen and didn't see her hanging out in front looking for me. Finally I went closer and discovered the reason for her stillness. She had shoved her head under the gate and was stuck. Good thing I hadn't left home!
3. She's lonely, and the cats do not seem to be sufficient company.
Regarding chickens, of my 3 youngsters left, 1 died suddenly last week. Have no idea why, and another one had, I believe, Marek's disease and sat pitifully on it's belly all day with legs extended at unnatural angles. I had my husband put it out of its misery. So the lone one left - which I don't even know if it's a pullet or cockerel - was thrust into chicken society. Not surpisingly, it has not been warmly welcomed. I'm still praying it's a pullet. It's about 4.5 months now, and should lay or crow soon to let me know. Hopefully it will survive initiation.
