The Gypsy Ridge Story
In Canada, if you wish to keep Oberhasli goats, where do you find them? Do you have any idea just how rare they were in Canada when we began? Why were there so FEW in this country and so many breeders in the USA? Who has breeding stock? Just HOW do you go about getting some Oberhasli on your farm? The idea alone is a challenge. No one is going to give you any - if you want them, you have to get them or make them yourself. Where do you start?
In 2006 we began with an internet search - - -
Typing in “Oberhasli goats” the search began for an American farm which was reasonably close to the Canadian border - a day trip from Vancouver Island, where our farm is located.
Contact was made with the Udderly Crazy herd (no longer in existence) in Washington, USA. Two purebred males were chosen and we set the wheels in motion, so to speak, to travel south to retrieve them. It was November and the mud was up to the bucks knees. We managed to get the two boggy boys into the back of the pickup truck and got on our way.
We travelled to the Canadian border, armed with vet documents, identity documents and import documents and money to pay the fee. We met with the federal vet and he took one look at the smelly, manure-covered males and said “yes, those are bucks” and closed the canopy door. He checked the documents, took our money and stamped our paper.
We travelled to the ferry and when we arrived back on the Island we placed them in a nearby barn to dry out and acclimate. Two weeks later, with their feet trimmed, and legs dry and brushed, they came to our farm and immediately took to two very attractive Alpine females.
And so we began our Oberhasli adventure - - -
Typing in “Oberhasli goats” the search began for an American farm which was reasonably close to the Canadian border - a day trip from Vancouver Island, where our farm is located.
Contact was made with the Udderly Crazy herd (no longer in existence) in Washington, USA. Two purebred males were chosen and we set the wheels in motion, so to speak, to travel south to retrieve them. It was November and the mud was up to the bucks knees. We managed to get the two boggy boys into the back of the pickup truck and got on our way.
We travelled to the Canadian border, armed with vet documents, identity documents and import documents and money to pay the fee. We met with the federal vet and he took one look at the smelly, manure-covered males and said “yes, those are bucks” and closed the canopy door. He checked the documents, took our money and stamped our paper.
We travelled to the ferry and when we arrived back on the Island we placed them in a nearby barn to dry out and acclimate. Two weeks later, with their feet trimmed, and legs dry and brushed, they came to our farm and immediately took to two very attractive Alpine females.
And so we began our Oberhasli adventure - - -
Breeding towards purity - - -The Gypsy Ridge herd originated as classic black and white Alpines. Pure bred Oberhasli sires were imported from one or two different herds in Washington state and a breeding program was begun.
The first generation of offspring is 50% Oberhasli. The second is 75% Oberhasli. And the third generation is 87.5% Oberhasli. Seven more generations are needed before the animals will be recognized as fully Purebred. Males must be 93.75% (or 15/16ths) to be considered Canadian Oberhasli. A breeding program such as this requires dedication and a long-term commitment. Along the way the goats that show the best characteristics of the Oberhasli dairy breed have been entered into the annual Saanich Fall Fair to delight the many visitors and walk away with a multitude of ribbons over the years! |
A fresh start - - -
We were thrilled to have our new dream-barn finished in 2019. As you can see it has an easy clean concrete floor; automatic drinking fountains and keyhole feeders for the goats; and milking stands to save an aching back at milking time. The barn also provides a safe and warm place for retreating if the goats choose to be inside - although there seems to be nothing the animals like more than to be outside under a starry night sky! |