My eleven-year-old daughter Lana completed her very first 4H project this year with a purebred beast of a goat she affectionately named Chunk. I run a herd of 30 dairy goats and can say with complete certainty that this goat of hers is literally insane. He’s huge (101lbs), loud, stubborn as an ox, and due to a series of unfortunate events, still at our home.
I always wanted to get my children into 4H for all the wonderful things the program teaches. Skills like public speaking, animal husbandry, profit and loss, community service, giving for the sake of giving….all amazing things they will use throughout their lifetimes. To my surprise, they chose to pursue market wethers as their first project which was fitting considering we already have many very nice dairy goats to choose from…but as with all things parenting nothing is easy and so we brought home Terry and Chunk. I was extremely clear that this was not my project and something they were to handle on their own, and they did! Lana worked with Chunk regularly, dragging his big butt around while he screamed and flailed and proceeded to act like he was living out his final moments with her under torturous circumstances, tongue out and all. He eventually calmed within 30 minutes or so and would walk, albeit begrudgingly. Hank worked his much less frequently, but Terry was quite friendly and didn’t seem to mind being handled.
Both kids took turns feeding, watering, mucking pens, trimming hooves and grooming the goats. They each gave oral presentations teaching useful skills. Lana was thanked at the fair for sharing “How to De-Spur a Rooster” by a fellow 4H-er who needed to use the skill for herself! In addition to that, they both Christmas shopped for two locals in assisted living, completed a 20 page booklet outlining everything from the costs to raise each goat down to the price per pound, and made posters outlining the experience. They visited local businesses, introduced themselves and invited them to the fair. Lana also completed hand-written “thank you” notes for her brother….I’m relatively sure our chickens can write more neatly than he can.
Fast forward to 5 days before the fair when we were outfitting the goats. Upon clipping their hair, we revealed two dime-sized spots that were determined to be fungal ringworm. This is a very treatable condition that has cleared up entirely with topical cream (NuStock), but as it’s contagious when active, meant she was unable to show and participate in the sale after the fair. She was understandably very upset, but took it in stride. With one of the important lessons 4H teaches being “hard work pays off”, that hasn’t been the outcome for my girl. I even asked if she could show him at a neighboring county 4H fair but that goes against the rules for the program. I’m hoping the farming community will come together for her and her crazy first project.
I’ve created an auction for Chunk, Boer Wether #0341 here on this page. Once complete, we can either deliver him directly to you, the processor of your choice, or if you don’t eat goat, or want a crazy goat, we can take him to a livestock auction of your choice. Within the state of VA, please. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and most importantly, for supporting our future farmers. Of my three children, she is the one who will be in ag forever. Of that I’m sure.
Boer Wether #0341
Purebred Boer goat weighing 101lbs
Going for $1,000.00
- Ending Date - 17th Aug 2024 00:00:00
- Ships to - VA Processing facility of choice or Livestock Auction of choice
- Location - Kents Store, VA
Auction closed
Current bids
- Kenneth Jones bid $1,000.00 on 2024-08-11 01:28:08 [auto]
- Kenneth Jones bid $1,000.00 on 2024-08-11 01:28:08
- Kenneth Jones bid $500.00 on 2024-08-11 01:27:05
Payment Details
Payment must be made using the following method
| Cheque or postal order | Address will be provided to the auction winner. |
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