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

Find a goat mentor that has good-looking productive goats in your general area and LISTEN TO THEM.
I wish I had had one when I was new.
And there is NOTHING more maddening than someone calling for advice and then NOT listening when you give it. Then they say, "well, what you said didn't work".

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

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

That they should locate a good local vet and consider him a friend, not an enemy of their goats!

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What you say just about always works. I only qualify that b/c I suppose you may have been off once or twice, but never in my experience of receiving your excellent advice.

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Je ne suis pas Alice

http://homesteadingfamilies.proboards.com/

Many times, vets have not received much training in goats. Many vets believe that dairy goats are just little bovines, which just ain't so.

I'm sure that there many vets who are good and who will work with you - but if you live rurally, it's not always easy to find those vets. In fact, it can be downright impossible.

Be willing to switch and find another vet who will work with you for the good of your goats.

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Je ne suis pas Alice

http://homesteadingfamilies.proboards.com/