| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 22 2009 : 09:22:42 AM
I just sold my last little wether!! Yeah! The people that came Monday just came and got him. And what is so funny is they told me they had just gotten 2 other wethers from a girl in Flintstone and they were mine, too! My friend that just came last week and got the 2 brothers called me and said they keep getting out and she was going to have to do something with them. So she put them both on Craig's List and these people bought them! That is so funny. So they will all know each other. And they are with good people and will be well taken care of and have a great life and plenty of good stuff to eat. It's like he remembered them, too. He came to the gate and was ready to go! So I am happy!
Also I sold 2 of my does a few weeks ago to good homes, too. A 13 year old boy bought Holly Berry and her little doeling. They live in Elijay, Ga. And Ocho went to Whitwell, Tn with a girl that has a few other milk goats. She makes soap. I am well pleased with where they all went. All the goats I have sold this year all went to really good homes.
Now the people that just bought Spot are talking about getting a milk doe. I am seriously thinking about selling Sadie Mae. Her milk is awful and I am going to have to dry her up if it doesn't get better soon. So she said she'd think some more on it. I did tell her why I am going to sell her. I am sure that as soon as she goes somewhere else her milk will be good. That would be great if she bought her. They just live right up the road, too.
So I am down to 4 does and 4 bucks now. I will use 2 of the bucks to breed 3 of the does in late Oct. then they will go in the freezer. Unless they get sold by then. I do want one for us and a friend wants one and the guy that does the butchering will get one, also.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - Aug 31 2009 : 09:18:43 AM
Oh I wish I had seen this thread sooner! Not been on the computer much in the past several weeks.
So much good advice here!!! You ladies are just FABOULOUS!
About the buck thing-- I have both sheep AND goats (Babydolls, Jacobs and Nigerians. Oh, and my husband has a couple of MUTANTS! Don't know WHAT "Breed" HIS sheep are...) All of our boys run together. I currently have 5 Babydoll rams, 2 Jacob rams and 2 Nigerian dwarf bucks in one pen, my husbands big GIANT ram and my older Jacob ram and a few wethers together, along with a Jersey bull calf in another pen, and a very BAD little Nigerian buck (he fathered nearly ALL of the 36 babies I was NOT expecting this year!!!) with two younger bucks and several of his wethered sons.
So far there hasn't been a problem. I've had sheep for nearly 11yrs and the goats almost 8. Yes, I've been rammed by one of the bucks (the older Jacob-- he's lucky he's still ALIVE!), but, since I keep a CLOSED herd on all breeds, I don't have much of a choice. If I want to keep breeding, I have to keep my own breeding males. Rarely do I have problems with any of them. They are all quite good friends actually.
Also, I'd like to comment on the milking-- I HAVE milked my Nigerian does. Some ARE harder to milk than others-- depending on teat size. A few of my girls have very large teats and very nice udders. They are the best for milking. Their milk is also one of the highest of butter fat, even higher than most of the large dairy breeds. They don't produce AS MUCH per day as their larger counterparts, but it's very comparable in quality. They are WONDERFUL little goats for small farms and much easier for small people (like myself!) to handle. But I guess we ALL have our favorites. I would like to have a few La Manchas here too someday. For some reason that particular breed appeals to me just as much as my little nigies.
The goal of most SERIOUS Nigerian breeders over the past decade has been udder improvement. Several breeders have made some very impressive improvements in the milking genetics of their herds. The woman who sold me my "Original" buck is doing wonders with her girls. She has won so many awards for her goats in many catagories, especially for "Best Udder." She milks most of her herd and has a line of goat milk beauty products and soaps. Something I would like to do myself eventually. That's why I got them!
Oh, and for whoever asked what the Nigerians look like... (Kris?)... they are built very much like a miniature Alpine, only there are over 28 different patterns and who knows HOW MANY colors acceptable (except agouti- a Pygmy pattern) in the breed. Breeding Nigerians "is like a box of Chocolates... you never know what yer gonna git!" (HA! HA! HA! HA!!!!) Just like Christmas! Keep up the good chat ladies! Happy Day to you all ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 28 2009 : 05:37:45 AM
Ok, I talked to my friend last night. She had the vet out and she took fecal samples of all the goats and she really isn't sure what was wrong with the doe yet. She was up and eating good yesterday. She said the guy she got the doe from just fed corn. And she was about 2 weeks away from kidding when she had the still birth. She was not milked at all so it could have had something to do with that. But she's being pumped with all kinds of drenches and minerals and vitamins and good food. So she is in a way better place right now. If she makes it she'll be a very spoiled goat girl for sure. That's all I know for now. I think corn is not a good source of nutrition at all and might be a lot of the problem here. I try to stay away from it myself.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 11:12:11 AM
I am not sure yet. I'll call her later to see what caused it. She did say yesterday that they got her up and outside then went to go do something and she was gone. She took off out in the yard to eat! I'll let ya know. I'm always interested in what causes things, too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 27 2009 : 08:29:55 AM
Hey Kris,
So what is the reason this doe was not standing??? Was it a reaction, pinched nerve, heat??? I am always wishing to learn and like you said we never stop..
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 6:16:17 PM
Thanks Grace. It's always nice to have more experienced people on these posts answer questions. I know a little but not near enuf. I had a friend call a few nights ago about a 2 year old doe they had just gotten a week ago. She had miscarried a few months ago and when they got her she had scours. They got that under control but now she can hardly stand up. She eats a little but just can't stand. So I called my goat mentor and she mentioned worms and lots of other theings I had not thought of. She finally called and talked to them and got them on the right track. I saw her yesterday at the feed store and she was loading up on all kinds of stuff. And the doe was somewhat better and eating more. So it helps to have a goat friend handy at all times. And a good vet on speed dial, too!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 11:45:11 AM
Hi Maggie
I am with Kris - I do not feed grains except for those girls who are expecting and a senior - 21 years old and going strong. It is a blend I make and I agree on corn - especially if you do not know the source of the corn...
You never want a fat goat and especially a billy. In fact, I was looking at my two and three year old guys today and they are round and happy just on what they find in the pastures which is good mixture of native grasses, weeds, herbs, low shrubs and even some great native flowers.... Mineral are important if your land is lacking my guys and gals will on occassion lick rocks and eat dirt when they feel the need. I have one billy who loves licking the pine trees - funny to watch and it is like candy to him.
Good luck and I might suggest just doing some research for your area - the mineral, weather and local sources of feed...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| maggie14 |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 10:31:28 AM
Kris, Yes it is a pelleted feed for goats.
Right now my brother and I are working on building a little shed for my buck because he is, well you know.
they are getting grass and brush but I have to go pick it for them. I'm wanting for my brother to move there outside pen.
And they do have free choice of hay at all times.
When I got them they had all ready been wormed. So I will worm them again in the fall.
Maggie |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 26 2009 : 06:09:21 AM
Maggie, if this is working for you, then keep doing it. I bet they are healthy little buggars. If you asked 50 people what they feed their goats, every single one would say something different. What works for one may not work for someone else. Is it a pelleted feed made for goats? And you should have to separate them before too long because you don't want them to breed too early. I have used a 6 month old buck to breed before and they are quite fertile little fellas, too. I'll be using my boys in Nov. and they will be 6 months then. I know it's not good to use such young bucks, but 3 of them will be butchered afterwards.
Are they able to eat brush and grass, too? And they need hay for the roughage. Also baking soda and minerals. I keep hay for all my goats at all times. And the baking soda.
Have they been wormed yet?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Aug 25 2009 : 3:43:07 PM
Hi Kris, Well I have 1 buck and 1 doe that I have been feeding grain to for a little over 3 months to. But I was just wondering how much grain I should give them. I've been giving them 2 quarts a day. Is that to much? And I was also wondering how much alfalfa pellets I should give them to. I've been giving them a cup a day. Thanks for the heads up on the corn. Oh, and my goats are a nubian mix.
Maggie |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 25 2009 : 3:32:47 PM
I personally do not feed non milking goats any grain anymore. I have 4 does I am milking and they get some all grain. But all the kids we had this year never got any grain at all. They get browse and hay and that's it. They really don't need it if they have hay and a good place to get brush or grass. Now if they are in a pen and aren't able to graze then that's dufferent. They would need some goat pellets free choice plus minerals and salt block. If they are bucks or wethers DO NOT give them corn! It will kill them. My boys are out with the chickens and when I throw scratch out they might nibble a little til I run them off. But you have to be careful with the boys. That's why mine just don't get any grain.
I hope this helps. And I hope others will tell what they know, too. I just don't give them grain because I want to get away from having to depend on it. We have plenty of other good food for them to eat right now and they seem happy and full.
What kind of goats do you have? And are they does or bucks?
I just thought that if they have not had any grain yet and you need to feed them grain, you might want to start small. They could get scours from new food. And just watch the corn if they are bucks.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| maggie14 |
Posted - Aug 25 2009 : 1:09:07 PM
Hi Ladies, I have a question about goats. How much grain would you feed 5 month old goats?
Maggie |
| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 25 2009 : 09:29:00 AM
Grace, I agree about the 2 legged kind whole heartedly, I raised 3 boys. I am glad to see that some are able to maintain the boys without problems, and I personaly do know 2 that do that. I wish i was able, but its just not meant to be for me. I will not have an animal on my place that could ever or might ever get hormonal with anyone, wether it be a rooster or a buck or anything inbetween.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 25 2009 : 08:01:28 AM
Today they are much better. I was worried about the poor new guy. But he's holding his own. I will be probably keeping the Nubian and a Lamancha buck just so I'll have a closed herd from now on. I can always keep them in with the heifer. She's gonna be so lonely when the Cowboy is gone. But that'll be another 6 months at least. Yesterday she had her head slung over his back. Too sweet. I will have to get another cow for sure. I love these guys.
But I thank you for all the good advice. And I agree we are all different with very different setups going on. What works for me may not work for you. I will never have another ram on this place if I ever get sheep again. They will have to be already pregnant or never be again. I hate rams. I never want to be rammed by one again.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 25 2009 : 07:31:52 AM
Teresa it sounds like you have a very wonderful and workable set up for achieving breeding and I agree you should never have a young child in harms way..
Trust me it is not always peaches and cream when maintaining a herd of any breed males even the two legged kind. I only offered my experiences to show that if it is something someone wishes to do it can be done. In the beginning I too took my boys (billies, rams and alpaca studs) to farms but being an organic operation it was hard on the boys because then they would have to spend six months away from their friends once they returned. Also, they did not like when they where at others farms that their routines where not there, the lack of people contact was hard on them and so I decided the money was not worth it to the health and well being of my animals.
As I stated before every farm is different and I only offered to show another way. It is like parenting - we have the same goals in mind, just different ways of getting there.
Kris your open space I bet is lovely - what I was talking about was any time there is a fence of any size it will by it's nature limit an animal. I agree your set up is spacious and much better then most I come in contact with - time also will help. Since you will not having them for much longer I guess the word is patience. Good luck.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 2:11:03 PM
I had nothing but trouble when I had my own bucks and rams on the farm/ranch, so now when its breeding time the owner of the bucks/rams brings them here for a week or so, and then comes back and gets them. Safer for all concerned,my grandkids, son and d-in-law, dogs and I. I don't have time to raise and train and work with them on a regular basis, so this is what works best for me. And yes, the buck/ram owner does run all of his boys together with minamal problems.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 1:14:32 PM
Grace, they have probably over an acre where they are, so they can always get away by theirselves if they wanted to. I couldn't even see the new buck til this morning. So they have plenty of room here. I guess I'd be way more wooried if they were all in a small pen.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 1:09:36 PM
Glad to hear it Kris - I know that everyone runs their farm so differently and for years I have been training or manybe I should say retraining misbehaving animals and animals who have been slated to be put down because of their behavior. The one thing I know to be true is there are very few times in nature when a animal is just plain mean - they settle disagreements and territory issues quickly and unlike humans they do not hold gudges. Once the novetly wears off they will be eating and sleeping together. The one reason why this goes on is because they are in fences - in the wild they would just leave the area till things cooled down. Good advice for all of us.
Blessings and hugs to the billies - I must admit I love my billies - smelly and all..
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 12:39:51 PM
I just thought maybe it's just because he's the "new guy" and they are just letting him know this. Yhey didn't even know he was here til this morning. Then whammo! They do stop and eat and take a break. But they are all young and do get along betten than if they were older and a new older buck was put in with them. My guys have always been together and all get along great. It's just that I took the wether away a few days ago and got him yesterday. I figure they'll all settle down after a few more days of figuring everything out. Then in a few more months I won't have all this to put up with. I've never kept bucks just because of this.
Thank you both for the advice. I appreciate everyone's opinions and experiences here. And each one will be different. As will mine. So thank you both. They do seem to be settling down some since I last posted.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 11:51:09 AM
I would have to disagree - I have a pen and pasture with the top breeding billies in there with two weather - yes they rub on each other but they do not fight. I then have a pen and pasture with the two and three year old billies and they do rub, push and sometimes butt heads there is total friendship, companionship and protection. They all sleep together, eat together and give love calls to the ladies. I then have a pen and pasture with my two old weathers age 17 years old and they have two female llams's and my oldest Great Pry with them. They are one time had the other two weathers but they played too ruff with the old guys and I just did not want a problem. These two old guys will have the This Year billies for the winter. These old boys will show them the ropes, watch over them and calm them. Really the concepts of "Bad Billy Behavior" is mostly because of poor socialization and management - at least that has been my experience here at my farm - I have also ran all my rams together and also all my male alpaca's - both functioned as gentlemen dispite all the books tell me it could not be done. I also found that if I spend the time to train it saves us all in the long run.
Remember too there has to be a pecking order in the animal world and sometimes we do not like to see the process but unless some horrible injury is accurring we have to let it work it self out. Once that is done they will settle unless you interfer.. If you need suggestions specific to the group just ask - I have been running my animals this way for 13 years and NEVER had someone injuried - maybe a little blood on a horn but that was because my top guy was banging his head on a pole to show the rest who is boss and managed to hit a nail head that I had missed when setting the pole - my fault....
"Anyone for some Lamb Fries"? 
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| 1badmamawolf |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 11:23:06 AM
Kristin, the ONLY way to stop your "buck activity" is castration, they should be penned seperatly, as they get older, they will fight for dominance, and the weaker will be injured or worse.
"Treat the earth well, it was not given to you by your parents, it was loaned to you by your children" |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 09:31:06 AM
Ok, he's out there now and the other 4 bucks are all over him. I just hate that. Will they stop after awhile or is this going to keep on forever? That's why I wanted the poor wether gone because they wouldn't leave him alone. And they are all just a few months old. I can't wait til they're all in the freezer now!
Grace, the snake scene is not my favorite but I can totally identify with his wife! I have a yellow dog but he's totally opposite of that one. He's all over the place. Even jumps the fences. I hope one day he is that way, though. He's not near as bad as he used to be.
If you have any suggestions about all this disgusting buck activity, please tell me. I just feel so bad for him. It's like "buck gang rape". I feel like I should go rescue the poor little fella.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| southerncrossgirl |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 08:54:28 AM
Isn't it funny how we like the same movies!
Kris, let us know when you find him. Also, I was told the Nigerians get easier to milk after they have their babies nurse them for awhile. I guess I am just not into the smaller breed. I like the larger ones.
"A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes"==Cinderella |
| grace gerber |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 07:48:22 AM
Oh Kris - that is why I picked the name for our farm - I love that scene... I also love the one where he is going fishing in their pond and catches a snake and all that he goes thru to try and kill the snake. I have that movie and play it often. Now I am not laughing at you but I can just see those floppy ears jumping in the tall weeds saying "Can't catch me"....
I agree the fella will want to find someone to pair up with - I might suggest that leaving a apple or something good for him to find might just get him to come in closer. Remember things do not like being chased but they are easy to trick. Good luck on your newest farm member. It is like my peacock - spent a ton of money, months keeping and training it in a large enclosure and after all that the moment we let him out his flew to the forest and lives high in the pine trees. I wanted him to guard the farm not the forest. I wanted to gaze on his beauty and hear his lovely voice. Why or why is he not executing my plan???? I guess life is simpler when you have a "Yellow Dog" (name of the second dog in the movie who can not even move his tail out of the fireplace) but then we would not have adventures...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 24 2009 : 05:12:05 AM
I finally saw the little guy. I was getting worried that he'd jumped the fence or found a hole and took off. But he's out there. Even took my dog Bubba out with me. He's a good hunter. Never found him, though. But he's still here. We put the cows out there, too. And found a nest of 15 eggs one of my missing hens was setting on. I put a cage over her so she wouldn't get stepped on. I just hope the little goat will come closer soon. He should get lonely and want to get to know the others. He can't stay wild forever, can he?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 23 2009 : 2:17:29 PM
Well, I went and got the little Nubian buck. Brought him home, wormed him in the car, thank goodness. Got him out, my dog scared him half to death. Put him in the yard with the other 4 bucks. He took off toward the road heading east with his long ears just a flappin'. He got to the fence, turned left, kept going, and I ain't seen the boy since. He's out there somewhere in the head high weeds and corn lost all by his little lonely self. I went to look for him and never found him. They have nearly an acre of yard and garden. I may never see him again. I knew better than to let him out like that. I should have put him in the hen house for a few days.
It was like in the movie Funny Farm with Chevy Chase when his wife got him the dog. She brought it home and let it out of the car and it took off with it's long ears and fur just a flyin' and they'd see him every now and then running through the fields but never caught him. All I could see was the buck's long ears over the weeds heading east then north. I guess if there is a hole somewhere he'll find it. At least he'd be heading in the right direction back to Ron's place. I should call him and tell him to watch out for the buck. He may be heading that way soon!
He might turn up sometime. Maybe he'll get lonely and look for company soon.
I went to the Chattanooga market earlier today and met a girl who makes soap. She gives lessons and I told her I was interested in making soap. I told her I have goats milk and we got to talking. I said I was going to get a Nubian buck and she has Nubian does and will need a buck around the first of Dec. So we are going to trade breeding for soap lessons!! I was so exited! But now it may not ever happen. I hope I can find the little guy soon.
Gena, I thought there were lots of people who milked Nigerians. That they're the perfect small goats for a small family. I guess they would be hard to milk. I'm so used to big lamancha and Nubians. It would be hard to milk a smaller goat now.
Happy trails, ya'll!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
