If you could teach newbies one thing......

Aaah, but you said the word HAY....and THAT makes all the difference. I've seen DAIRY DOES starved way down because heck they're goats and they'll eat anything...poor critters.

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Joan Crandell
Wild Iris Farm
"Fair"- the other 4 letter F word." This epiphany came after almost 10 days straight at our county fair.

Get yourself a Fairy Goatmother.

Srsly, I have to second the "don't believe it without paperwork" on testing.

There are far too many unscrupulous and/or uncaring folk in goat world. I know of someone who actually tells people that I'm "too fussy" when it comes to my goats re: CL and CAE.

Darned straight I'm fussy. These are MY goats producing MY FAMILY'S milk and meat. My animals will always get the best treatment I can provide them. Healthy goats are the key to healthy production.

I'll put my "fussy" herd against any unconcerned owner's herd any day of the week.

Hmph.

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Je ne suis pas Alice

http://homesteadingfamilies.proboards.com/

I hope this isn't too much of a thread drift but on the CAE testing....if they test they will NOT mind providing you paperwork. In fact, ALL of my animals that we sell go with not only their papers but copy of that years results. For newbies, if you are on this board you are WAY ahead of the game.

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Idleness is leisure gone to seed

Just like for humans, prevention is the best medicine. Things that would apply, fecaling and worming, feeding properly, minerals, prevention coccidiosis and worming for kids, appropriate vaccinations,BO SE, copper, knowledge.

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LaManchas and Mini LaManchas
http://cityminiranch.weebly.com/

Interesting topic!! I was just thinking this same thing today, what IS most important?? Is it hooves?? We know how bad those poor feet get if neglected..or minerals?? or vaccinating?? De worming?/ ...Oh, I know..PROPER NUTRITION!!!
I get so many new clients that don't have A CLUE and every time I see them, it's something else they need ... I try to keep it so simple, as I learned all of this over time..BUT I really do want newbies to know ALL the info, not just nutrition, but I think that is a good place to start (can de worming be counted as nutrition..or minerals?? well, it is to me...teehee)

Find a good mentor whose goats you admire and emulate there management. You can experiment after you get some experience under your belt.

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COSO Farms Web Page: http://www.cosofarmslamanchas.com/

COSO Farms Face Book Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/COSO-F...45087715522558

If you can't afford them then don't have them. I have no issue with doing what you can on your own to save money. I do shots, testing and such on my own in order to learn, save money and etc but when it comes time to get your animal to the vet you either do it or you humanely put them down. Watching, waiting and the animal suffers and dies just annoys the snot out of me.

No milk replacer for bottle babies.

Goats cannot eat "cow" hay.

Goats cannot live alone and have a dog or some chickens be their friend.

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You may not copy my posts or pictures without my consent on this board or any other.

I think every new goat owner should be made aware of how thin a goat's hide is and what can happen if a dog gets ahold of one .

Proper fencing is of utmost importance, IMO.

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Cows may not be smarter than People, but some cows are smarter than some people.

That it's called a vulva, not a hoo hoo, hoo-ha, "thingy", etc. It's not a bad word, so don't be afraid to use it!

Wait, maybe my one thing would be to tell them milk replacer is not the devil and there are many many nice goats raised on replacer every year!

On the browse subject. My milking does have all the browse they want, and they get grain, but I quit throwing hay out as they don't eat it. Is that wrong? I haven't given them hay in over two weeks. They are still giving milk. Some days they look fat, others a little thin along the backbone, someone told me that is just dairy goats.

Am I wrong

Learn the difference between a wether and a doe.

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"If you tickle the earth with a hoe she laughs with a harvest."
- Douglas William Jerrold

Real is Beautiful -Sherry in Maine

I am 47

Also, how very frail goats are despite being cast as having iron clad stomachs and eating tin cans, etc. They are VERY sensitive critters.

I am still tossing hay to my guys as well.

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Becky

this newbie found out that goat's tails are not normally "fishtailed",
and that indicates a copper deficiency.

copper bolusing has made a huge difference in their coat texture, color and tails.

and I thank this forum for that info!

My goats have cut way back on hay consumption now that they have browse, too. It's OK.

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Alice
* * *
"No great thing is created suddenly." ~Epictitus

Well I know of goat kids who have died on replacer, not mine. All of mine have always been raised on whole cow's milk, which works very well. Some use it successfully but it is not a natural product and can cause bloat. I prefer not to use it.


I do tell all my newbies not to pet males, wethered or not on the top of their heads. That good tip came from Emily.

I also tell them to make sure goats never get into chicken feed.
I have forgotten to tell them one or twice so I always call or email them so they know.

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You may not copy my posts or pictures without my consent on this board or any other.

I've always raised bummers or bottle kids on replacer and they've all done very well! I thin sometimes there is a lot of human error with mixing or switching over too quickly that causes it. The entire replacer industry can't be worthless...lots of time and money goes into formulating replacers that are very good matches to the dam's milk. I just tell people to get a good quality all milk replacer.

I second the " DON'T feed a replacer " - I can't count the calls I get with kids that have had scours, been unable to walk and weak - not growing well . . . turn around in an amazing way once I advised the folks to stop the replacer. I'm glad it doesn't kill all kids, but man, most seem to do a good job trying - lol

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Saanens, Nubian & Nigerian Goats, Silver Fox Rabbits, Mini Jerseys, BLR SL Wyandottes, hatching eggs and more!

Find us on facebook here
or our website here

Never quit learning. Never quit asking. Never let your pride get in the way of your herds health.

If it is too hot in the middle of the day, I still provide my does with hay as they won't go out to eat. Thats just my choice as they are milkers. But they don't *need* hay if they have free-choice browse. I also provide hay on rainy days.

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Emily Dixon
Ozark Jewels
Nubians & Lamanchas
www.ozarkjewels.net

"Remember, no man is a failure, who has friends" -Clarence