Imagination's Goat Wethers
Wethers are neutered male goats, our herd of goats began with 3 pet Nigerian Dwarf wethers and the joy we get from these 3 fellows are what inspired us to add a whole herd of producing goats to the farm. Wethers are "kid-like," their whole lives. They don't go through the stresses of rut and they don't become overtly hormonal like intact bucks do. Wethers are playful, curious, and friendly, they really thrive on interaction with their humans. They don't eat much and make good companions to both does and bucks alike. The wethers on our farm are put to use in a variety of ways, during the spring, summer and fall they are penned in movable paddocks in the woods where they browse about keeping the vegetation in check - assisting us with hand clearing the land. They also with the exception of one wether who has a serious heart condition are used to pull carts loaded with farm equipment and carry packs loaded with hiking supplies on the trails. We sell wethers to qualified homes after they are weaned, we take lots of time to make sure they are sweet, well mannered babies that will make good companions, we only sell them in pairs or to homes that already have goats because they are herd animals, older wethers for sale will have exposure to pack training and/or carting. The wethers listed below are not for sale unless noted otherwise!
OL' Country Fiddle
DOB: 4/15/2009 - Nigerian Dwarf
Fiddle is a handsome buckskin with white overlay and ice blue eyes. At nearly 2 years old he's a good size wether with beautiful conformation and an excellent, playful and outgoing personality. Fiddle is one of the original trio of baby wethers I got when I added goats to the farm in 2009. Fiddle is one of the top goats in the buck/wether herd, he is second in command to his half brother Tambourine. Fiddle loves people and is one of the first goats to approach visitors to the farm, he really likes treats and is very food motivated. Fiddle is very protective of and closely bonded to his twin brother Banjo who suffers from congestive heart failure due to several congenital heart defects, he keeps close watch on him and always makes sure he gets an opportunity to munch on hay from the hay rack without getting butted around.
Update: 6/8/11 - Fiddle suffered from a meningeal deer worm this late winter/early spring and despite aggressive treatment he did lose some nerve function in his pelvic limbs, as such he is no longer used for packing and cart training. He walks with a limp but is able to get around just fine and while he will never be able to walk the same again he is in good spirits and doesn't seem any worse the wear despite his disabilities.
OL' Country Tambourine
DOB: 4/7/2009 - Nigerian Dwarf
Tambourine is a handsome all white goat with occasional "dalmation" like spots dotted throughout his coat and buckskin colored front legs, he also has powder blue eyes. Tambourine is a tall, confident wether who battles out for the role of top goat with our herd buck Dude. Tambourine is one of the original trio of wethers we started with in 2009, he is the half brother to Banjo and Fiddle. Tambourine is very sweet, easy going and curious, he likes having his head rubbed and get attention whenever he can. Tambourine is also training for packing and carting with Fiddle, he is a fast learner and easily motivated with edible rewards. Tambourine is very silly and likes to climb on top of the hay rack to eat while the other goats keep their hooves on the ground!
OL' Country Banjo
DOB: 4/15/2009 - Nigerian Dwarf
Banjo is a small black and white wether with beautiful blue eyes. Banjo is Fiddle's twin brother but you'd never imagine it considering the size difference, Banjo is one of the smallest goats on the farm! Banjo is a gentle, loving goat who suffers from congestive heart failure due to several heart defects affecting his valves. Banjo was diagnosed with a PDA and ASD after an echocardiogram in 2009 by a Veterinary Cardiologist. The first clue to his heart problem was a very loud heart murmur grade V/VI, his murmur has intensified since then but he carries on each day despite his physical challenges. His twin Fiddle keeps a watchful eye out for him and makes sure he gets opportunities to eat without being headbutted around. Banjo is slow moving and spends much of his time resting, he is aware of his defect and the way it affects his body and does his best to restrict his activity without any human intervention. His worst days are the hot summer days - on some really humid and hot days he is put in the bunny barn with A/C to keep him cool and not to overload his already stressed cardiovascular system. We love Banjo dearly and while his lifespan may be significantly shortened due to his defects we will do our best to give him the best quality of life we can.