We went to the Bantam Swap yesterday to find Godot. After losing our beautiful peacock in the winter, the girls were left without a mate. The Bantam Swap is kind of like a flea market for animals. People pay 5 dollars or something for a parking space and they rock up with trailers and trucks, are all set up by 5am and sell sheep and goats and cows and piles of chickens and even fertile eggs, and ducks and dogs and pigs and etc. I even saw a donkey. We walked up and down every row, cold in the late dawn, our arms folded against the chill, inspecting every cage and every trailer and it was not until right at the end of the last row, after I had quite given up on finding Godot who Pania and Tui had been waiting for, when I bent down to look in a big dog crate and said, There, there you are. He looked at me and waited. I will show you Godot in a minute but first I will show you what I did not buy. Or at least have not bought yet.
I wanted this alpaca very badly, but there you are. I can’t have everything.
And here is my surprise. I was surprised too, mind you. Here is Godot. Up in the peacock palace already. Godot is a white peacock. Just imagine how beautiful he will be when he roams free. 
I could not believe my eyes when I saw him. The man who sold him to me was knowledgeable and kind and gave me some good tips. Isn’t he gorgeous.
And here is Carlos Garcia. (Well he was such a nice healthy bird how could I leave him behind.)
What is exciting about these birds is that they are very young, born last June, so we can watch them develop their mature feathers. Carlos Garcia will change dramatically over the summer. They will not be fertile this year though, so no chicks yet. Already Pania and Tui have gone into the Peacock Palace with them, (It runs the whole length of the barn up in the loft.) So it is safe to start planting in the gardens now.
The plonkers came yesterday too. Two to fatten up on milk and eggs and oats.
The corners of the little farm are filling up as we start the race again. The race to get enough food in the larder for the winter.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Your friend on the farm
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
95 responses to “Finding Godot”
I’m happy your trip was a success, there’s nothing like coming back with what your heart desired & more 🙂
Exciting to see what the Batum Swap provided!!! It will be wonderful to see the beautiful male peacocks grow into maturity!!! And good on you for not being swept away my any other critters! I know it must be hard!!! xo
So, my husband and I attended an alpaca expo in a neighboring town on Sunday. I wanted to bring one home, too. And we live in town. They are adorable and their fleece, oh, so soft.
The one let me pat him and you are right, very soft.. marvellous really.. but not this year! I have to keep telling myself.. c
I have a friend who raised Alpacas in Alaska. She and her husband are in the process of purchasing 72 acres in Missouri and she is already shopping for alpacas.
The new peacocks are beautiful. We saw some at Baker Creek in Missouri yesterday. One has the most beautiful velvety blue neck and was strutting around with his feathers spread out in all their glory.
We also saw about a dozen wild turkey as we were out looking at property, although hubby has plans to raise our own turkey one day. I think some turkey roaming your little farmy would be quite fitting. And don’t forget some ducks and geese 🙂
I am thrilled that you are looking at properties now.. how exciting! Yes I have a few ducks coming next month.. c
I was surprised when you said you resisted both donkey and alpaca! Did you regret cleverly leaving the trailer at home? 🙂 Donkeys are very good guard animals… Lovely birds..
Have you ever thought about just going to the shops 🙂
The shops are full of unnatural unhealthy rubbish food!
I didn’t know male peacocks could live together peaceably! Godot is gorgeous! Wow!
You were more disciplined than I thought you would be! That’s a good thing, my friend. All good things come when the time is right. You have quite a bit on your plate already. I have always loved donkeys… maybe someday I shall have one, but I’d have to make sure they got on well with deer. Daisy deer, after all, is queen of this place!
Probably a dumb question, but will Godot remain pure white including his tail feathers? Beautiful birds and glad you had a successful trip.
No it is not a dumb question, they are all white always, there is a wee link in the text that will take you to pictures of mature ones, these will be in for a while, (until the vege gardens are established at least) this is why they have such a big high run. c
You did well and were very disciplined in your purchases. Well done, I look forward to all the new adventures. Hopefully tonight, I’ll get started on my promised few words for you!
I have sent out the first email, just a minute ago. I look forward to your words! Thank you.. c
I have just finished reading the email. I intend having an early dinner and getting down to business tonight. This is well overdue, we need to open up , share and in doing so, help our sisters, daughters and granddaughters.
Bless you Cecilia for giving us the push to take part.
I have never seen a white peacock, can’t wait to see him fully grown, I would love a donkey, maybe one day, they can’t be on their own though so maybe two of them! Now that’s a thought.x
Ah that I could have been there…like you the donkey and the alpaca would be coming with me. They are both huge protectors of livestock and deadly enemies of predators!
Linda
http:coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
So, in the looking ahead column. Will Godot’s chicks be white? Is ‘chicks’ the correct term?
And, yes alpaca blended with wool is very nice. Alpaca fiber is not as elastic as wool, so blending it makes a wonderful knitting, crochet or hand weaving yarn — warm, soft and with a slight halo.
Good question. I asked the man and he said that 75 percent will revert to blue peacocks, (or piebald) and 25 percent will be white. So that might be exciting!.. c
Very excited to watch all the babies grow thi summer!
Oh Cinders, can you just see an elegant vase filled with those beautiful white Godot feathers?? 🙂 He is just gorgeous as is his brother Carlos. It will be interesting indeed to see how they get along and if they will choose one of the girls each or both! Ha! Did you know Alpacas hum? They do!