Meet Bohr the Parc Ferme herd leader!
Bohr, and yes he is named for the Dutch physicist Niels Bohr, is an intelligent, handsome year and half old amazing pygora goat! Pygoras are a registered breed of fiber goats originating from AAGBA angoras and NPGA pygmies, and Bohr’s fleece is like a cashmere sweater. I purchased him this summer from the Oaks Family Farm in Maryland along with two kids Bitsy-Marie and Itsy-Lise. The farm breeds exceptional goats, all producing quality fleece, but it’s the personalities of Oaks goats that will win you over. These sociable, kind, hard working and playful members of our family have brought joy to the farm!
We purchased our goat house from Penn Dutch Structures in Shrewsbury, PA. We went for the modern farmhouse look with a classic white and black palette and board and batten siding. The house is fenced with a 40 x 60 yard that we keep the goats in when we leave during the day and at night, otherwise they have the run of the farm. It is not unusual to find them sitting on their front porch or at the table and chairs in their yard enjoying each others company. We have added a solar light and barn quilt to give the goat house a homey down on the farm feel!
The barn quilt was made by Chela. The idea of decorating barns with abstract quilts designs originated in Europe and was brought over to Pennsylvania by early German and Dutch settlers. Barns quilts have historical significance in New Freedom as local historians contend that they were used as signage in identifying homes that would offer shelter and food to the Continental Army and Pennsylvania Militia during the revolutionary war.
We bed our goats in straw for the insulation and feed them orchard grass and sweet grains. As it is getting colder in PA, I have added a nightly snack of cracked corn! I also brush them daily to keep them clean. Bohr enjoys a bit of pampering, so I will use a marigold equine coat conditioner that makes his coat shine. The girls (as we refer to Itsy and Bitsy) are not fully on board with hair care, or being cuddled, or spray bottles – but they’re coming around and treats have been a game changer!
Bohr has a huge heart and takes excellent care of the girls. He is a good protector and will push ahead of me if he thinks I may be in danger. I have also seen him assist baby chicks that wonder to far from the coop! Bohr and the girls are always ready to hang out with us and as the weather has cooled, we like to sit around our firepit.
They are figuring it out! Join us for our next post of Life on the Farm where we will introduce the Parc Ferme flock of 10 splash maran chicks.