Making a Goat Cart

I made the harness

and I made the halter,

now it's time for Good Ole Boy and Bug to make the cart.

Our first need was supplies.

Since we are all about reusing, recycling and finding things cheaper,

we went to a local garbage company.

We used to go to church with the owners so Bug was fairly comfortable speaking to him.

She explained what she was building and asked if he had any supplies.

He looked around for wheels and axle material but couldn't find anything suitable.

He showed us the wood pile and told her to take whatever she needed - no charge!

They estimated what they would need for the cart and loaded it up.

Ended up with more than enough!

 Good Ole Boy and Bug spent lots of time discussing the cart.

Ultimately she wants a "Dr. Baker buggy".

But this year she needs to start smaller! lol

So they got started building a seat and cart base.

Good Ole Boy was planning yet for the axle and wheels.

Then one day after walking Chip, Good Ole Boy spotted an old wagon he'd forgotten about sitting out under a pine tree.

We dug it out thinking he might be able to modify the axle for her cart.

Always wanting to help...

It was a PERFECT fit! 

Hooking Chip up for the first time.

Bug paints the cart, using paint we had on hand.

Chip pulling the cart at fair.

Cart cost - $5 

(for bolts to attach shafts to cart)

Now, at fair, the judge and goat superintendent were pretty impressed, 

HOWEVER,

they said the seat needs to be lower. 

In fact, they recommended putting the seat right down on the cart base and putting the foot rest even lower.

By lowering the center of gravity this will make it easier on Chip.

Something to think about if you are going to make a goat cart yourself. :)

Does your goat drive a cart or pull a wagon?

Homestead Barn Hop

COUNTRY GIRL

Fair Week 2011 - part 3

Well today I *hope* to share the rest of our week!

Wednesday was a later day.

We got to sleep in some - yeah!

We got to look around some of the other barns

(until now, we really hadn't left the small animal barn).

This turned out to be Hunny's FAVORITE barn!

Huh, who knew?

Luckily it is right next to the small animal barn since after this trip we HAD to go through it at least four times a day! 

She now wants a pig - to live in her bedroom....

This was the sweetest cow!

Almost makes me want one...

 Goat hand milking contest.

Bug was able to borrow a milker - 

she got 4 oz in 60 secs.

Not bad for not having a dairy goat! 

Bug again (she did this last year too)

shocked the audience by grabbing the bucket after it was weighed and guzzling the fresh milk.

Yep. We GOTTA get dairy goats! lol.

 I hadn't signed Hunny up for the milking contest since I didn't think she'd want to touch the udder....

I was wrong and she was MAD at me!

Here she is just for fun - and guess what?!

She got milk too!

After all that milking fun, the barn needed cleaned up and made ready for the night's small animal auction.

Since Wiz didn't make weight, and neither of the Silver Foxes actually had meat pen liters, the girls were out of the auction, BUT we hoped to pick up a wether for eating and/or some pullets.

Bug helps some friends show their chickens during the auction.

We didn't end up buying anything since it all went higher than we wanted to pay during resale.

Bug was REALLY bummed!

Thursday we had our shift in the 4H food stand.

I must admit that this is my LEAST favorite part of fair.

We did have a little excitement as the grill caught fire and we had to be evacuated for a few minutes, but that happened pretty early in our shift and the rest of it d.r.a.g.g.e.d. out forever!

Someone gave these two a buck for a tip and they had to spend it right away, lol.

Friday was pretty slow - just fun with the chores.

Saturday we got to finish looking around.

 Then the kids - human and caprine - got to play on the obstacle course.

They had a BLAST! 

(Emmett really did too - just HE wanted to be loose and not following Hunny)

 The two littles participated in the pedal pull.

Then time to clean up our barn again and get ready for the 4H awards program.

Sis got three awards.

A trophy for baskets and cats, 

and a certificate with medallion for her feed records. 

After the awards we went and picked up everything that was in the still exhibit barn.

Sunday morning was tear down of the small animal barn.

Such a bittersweet time.

Fair is long, but I hate to see it end.

Goodbye Fairgrounds,

Until next year....

Homestead Barn Hop

COUNTRY GIRL

Fair Week 2011 - part 2

Glad you came back to hear more about our week at fair! 

Yesterday I took you through the prep work and entry times.

Monday was rabbit day.

Rabbit day really lasts ALL. Day. LONG.

This year we didn't even stay til the end! 

Bug - Jr (10) Showmanship.

Sis - Int (13) Showmanship

Bug got first place! 

Way to go! 

Sis got 3rd, BUT she'd only had a week to practice showing a himilayan - her dwarf hotot died the week before fair. :(

Since Bug got 1st, she had to do a "showdown" with all the other Jr. first place winners. 

The winner from this would go on to show in Overall on Friday. 

(the overall kid will show dog, goat, rabbit and poultry)

She didn't win but I'm proud of her anyways.

This is two years in a row she's got first - she'll get there someday.

Himi breed class.

They both got 'A' ribbons.

We decided to leave early since all our rabbits were done.

Going to do chores before we left we discovered this.

See why we never have anything nice?

lol.

Wiz is IN the hay rack! 

No wonder it keeps breaking! 

Sigh.

Tuesday was goat day.

And CloverBud bunnies.

Another long day.

Here's Bug getting ready for goat showmanship.

Hunny showing her bunny.

Bug in Jr. Showmanship.

She got 6th place. 

The judge was great in explaining WHY he placed everyone like he did.

He said she lost many placings because Chip was leaning on her.

Which you can kinda see in the pics how he's leaning right into her.

Huh, here I thought he was doing great since he WALKED and STOOD without moving! lol.

Hunny CloverBud Showmanship 

(Emmett was uncooperative so she used Wiz)

Wether Class with Wiz.

He got 10th place - but wasn't last!

He needs another 30-60 days to finish since he's smaller.

Club Herd, they got first! 

 She was the only one to enter the driving class so she got an 'A'. 
She did a great job and the superintendent and judge were very impressed! 

Cleaning up after the goat show.


Well, that's all I have time to post for today.
I hope to have part 3 up tomorrow.
Check back to hear how the rest of our fair week went.

Homestead Barn Hop


COUNTRY GIRL