The Beginning of Animal Cracker Farm…
It all began in 2004. Julie, the instigator of accumulating “goats” chatted with a nurse at the clinic where she works about pygmy goats! They seemed to be the “cutest babies” she had ever seen! Of course, Julie has always loved animals, having raised Shelties and worked at a veterinarian office. Tom, her brother, told her that goats ate Blackberry bushes, of which grow rampantly in WA and especially around their 4½ (?) acre home.
What next evolved was a random search on the internet for pygmy goats. This search put Julie in contact with Jan Ballard-Siebel at BS Acres in Black Diamond, WA. A month later, Jan wanted to know if Julie would like a mother and daughter pygmy goats. By now, Julie’s desire for goats had grown and she said “yes!” (remainder of story)
The first goat enclosure was a dog kennel with a tarp over the top with an igloo dog house. The goats received “cookie names.” The mother pigmy was called Biscotti and her daughter was Pfeffernuesse. The goats were enjoyed and the blackberries disappeared greatly!
In 2006, Julie had a hysterectomy and her “motherly instincts” were most prevalent and strong. Four more goats joined the “goat farm.” Two more pygmies, Graham and Snap. (Brother and sister) A short while later, Julie happened to see cute, little, adorable Pygoras. Hello to Lorna and Nilla from a farm in Carnation. Quoting Julie, “I want over to see the new babies and they were so cute!”
Since there were now 6 goats, an appropriate name for a “goat farm” seemed necessary.
Hence, Animal Cracker Farm! BTW, the goats love “animal crackers” immensely! It also was necessary to complete the Goat Barn which was started in 2005. The barn is a work in progress with a birthing area, pasture (50X50), and stall. Julie and family have built the barn themselves. “It is very fancy, very sturdy and “overbuilt!”, says Julie.
On October 19, 2007, Nilla had a baby! (Bred to Jan’s goat, Spencer, a pigmy) His name is Snicker doodle. Now there are 7 goats!
Here are some photos of our cute new addition, our first kid born in our herd:
Animal Cracker Farm's Snickerdoodle -- Pygora Buckling
Born 10/19/2007 (looks like he will be C type fleece, light beige)
Dame: Fleece Field's Wabecky ("Nilla")-- registered PBA
Sire: Lynch's Thunder Valley Spencer-- registered NPGA
Wade helped deliver him while Julie was at work! We are so excited!
Come see him anytime!
Recent news release!: Jan 12, 2008 (photos)
Animal Cracker Farm is proud to report that we have two mothers-to-be!! We watched the ultrasounds today. It was really cool to see the little goat babies swimming around!
Lorna (registered PBA white pygora) is expecting twins or triplets on 4/4/08. She was bred to Fleece Field's Pan (a registered PCA black pygora). We are excited to see what color the babies will be!
Ginger's Snap (registered caramel pygmy) is expecting one or more kids on 4/23/08. She was bred to Animal Haven Sunset Showdown (Sunny) who is a registered chocolate agouti pygmy. It will also be interesting to see what color combinations result!
I'm attaching photos of the proud does. We're proud of them too!