What do you like to see in a goat/farm website?

[Blue Ridge]

Just trying to collect a few thoughts on what you all like to see when you visit a farm website?

Information?
Journal/Blog?
Random Pictures of Animals?
Specific Buck/Doe/Kids for Sale pages?

I know what I look for and sometimes it's all of the above. lol

Really, trying to get the perspective of others who might visit the site.

Thanks for the feedback!

Brent
www.AllHandsFarm.com

[where I want to]

Picture of sale stock and pictures of parents. Whether the farm tests regularly.

[Goat Servant]

Same as Blue Ridge.

No fru fru or moving objects on pages. Light background so the text reads easily.

[Alice In TX/MO]

Good udder pictures!!

[LaManchaMa]

It depends on the day. I think I like all those things, especially the pictures of kids/does/bucks. I like pictures of goats

[GraceAlice]

I like at least 2 pictures of each goat, a separate profile for each goat, and lots of details. One of my "must haves" is to know if they test annually, if they were negative, and what they tested for. I also like a form filled out for each one. Like this.

Name:
Barn Name:
Gender:
Breed:
Purebred (yes/no):
Pedigreed (yes/no):
Highest Production Level:
Kids Produced:
Age:
Description (4-6 sentences):

That's what I did with my website. I use weebly so I can make a picture/paragraph profile for every goat.

It seems like a lot to ask but if there isn't a lot of detail, I feel like they are hiding something... not always, just sometimes. I know that sounds silly.

[Blue Ridge]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions!

[dozedotz]

I love your site! Yes, I would like to see udder pics and health records, too, but I really like the TONE of your site! Hey, those eggs are really dark for Orpingtons! Do you have any Welsummers or other dark egg layers? If not, those are (again) very dark and very pretty!

[Blue Ridge]

Thank you for your feedback and encouraging words, dozedotz.

I appreciate everyone's feedback about the health and details of our goats, and we will be adding this information as time permits. It appears that most of the respondents are interested in the dairy does. Currently, we have an equal number of dairy does and meat goats (four each), plus a wether as a companion for the buck.

Ultimately, our meat herd (Fainters) will be much bigger than the dairy herd. Although, we will ultimate be selling excess dairy kids, so the information suggested here is good to know to include.

As for the eggs, these were the first two. The Orpingtons are a week older than our other brown egg layers (Barred Rock, Delaware, Rhode Island Red). So the assumption is these first eggs are from the Orpingtons. Their diet is very free range. Even the 1/2 acre flock pasture doesn't limit them, as they regularly extend to other parts of the farm.

[dozedotz]

I bet it was the Delawares! Let us know when they get into the swing of things...are they all near 20 weeks?

[Blue Ridge]

Originally Posted by dozedotz

I bet it was the Delawares! Let us know when they get into the swing of things...are they all near 20 weeks?

21 and 20 weeks.

[dozedotz]

Oooopa, my bad! I was thinking of Marans! Maybe it was the Orpingtons...if that is the case, those are some very dark eggs! Ours usually start laying at around 20 weeks. I'm trying to locate a photo that shows our Welsummers as compared to our Buff Orpingtons...OK . Here are a mix...the lightest are Orpinton...the darkest are Welsummer. Not many speckles on these...some are really spotty.

[GraceAlice]

Here are our orptington eggs. The white ones are duck eggs, though:

[Backfourty,MI.]

A little of all the above plus I like it when they tell a little about their farm, herd management & why they have the animal/farm, etc. Kinda gives me a feel for the people & how they do things.

[hiddensprings]

My biggest thing when I look at other folk's website is that I want it to be up to date. I understand that we can't spend countless hours updating our websites but I hate when I am looking to buy new stock and find a website with great photos and info only to find out they haven't updated it since 2012.

[GraceAlice]

OH, GREAT point hiddensprings. I can't stand that.

[Blue Ridge]

Goes to show that sometimes the necessary information may be breed/type specific.

- Many of you want to see udder pictures, as your interest is in dairy quality.

- LaMancha breeders are also interested in pictures of the ears.

- We also raise Fainters, so pictures of fallen down and stiff legged goats.

So, from this I have gathered that regardless of anything else here is what needs to be included.

Pictures and vital statistics. With a page for each category - does, bucks, kids.
Herd health information page
Sales page
"Farm Philosophy" page

Thanks for everyone's input

[Blue Ridge]

Oh, and that is just for the goats, which would be in an easily identifiable section.

Similar needs may be needed for the chickens and/or other livestock.