Seasonal Clock
It is that time of the year. Like ten thousand years ago, our she-goats are getting ready. They have been shedding their hair for a month now. Looking sleek and sexy. Disdit shed her blonde ’do and is all sleeky brown despite her age; Ouma looks ten years younger. 1707 is all legs and tits and Klein Lazy is her confident self. Even Kalbas looks as if she cares about her appearance.
Elsewhere on the farm we harvest grapes and make wine. Soon we will start picking olives. Make oil. Preserve olives.
The hormonal energy does funny things. The girls get into fights, headbutting each other. Imagine two tail wagging females having a full go at each other. The clash of heads will break human skulls. They blink and show a bit of blood. And carry on.
The rams are interested onlookers from their hok. They don’t get into the headbutting business at this stage. They spend more time pissing on their own beards to create that wonderful aroma that the goat girls love so much. Or so they think.
Milk goats are seasonal. They mate in late summer and give birth five months later in early spring. No milking during winter. Which suits us.
The time has come. Each ram is introduced to his harem. And the courting begins. Noisy. Foot stomping. Sniffing. Grunting. While she moves off coyly. This could go on for half a day or longer. In the meantime he will check out the other girls. Just to keep her honest. Eventually she will be ready. The old buck knows that nature will take its course. Patience is a virtue. And is rewarded.
With the young bucks the process is a bit more abrupt. Noisy and quick. Thank you, ma’am.
This year Little Richard will have his own harem and he will go about the business of fertilising his girls the natural way. He has come a long way. From the invalided half lunged whiner to a fully grown young buck. Ready to reward his owners for the faith they had shown in him.
End of July the first bokkies make their wobbly appearance. A few days later they run and drink and go on as if they’ve always been there.
Time goes on.
Written by Johan Heyns