| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| SandraM |
Posted - Aug 17 2013 : 04:36:46 AM
We have some milking does that are 7. I noticed this year that they are having a harder time keeping condition. Is that due to age? The younger ones seem to be fine. I now that it happens as they age, but it seems with the sheep it happens later.
What is your experience? What could be added to feed to help with it?
How long have your bred your Dairy Goats?
Thanks
Sandra
www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| wooliespinner |
Posted - Aug 25 2013 : 5:12:18 PM
Sandra I buy copper in 1 lb bags from Jeffers livestock catalog. Its sold under the chicken supplements. Its come in a bag and its looks like blue salt. Goats really do need quite a bit of copper. I put it in a little plastic rubbermaid container and offer it to my goats about every other day. I also put a little out free choice. Since you have sheep you cannot do that. My goats will stick there tongue in and get some out. Some more than others. Some dayssome of them don't want any at all. They will only take what they need.
Make sure you don't get the copper they put in ponds. Some of the feed stores will try to sell this to you and its not the same. It will make them sick and poison them. Hope this helps.
Linda
Raspberry Run Farm
Nubian Dairy Goats |
| SandraM |
Posted - Aug 25 2013 : 12:12:03 PM
Thanks Kris,
I have fed the sunflower seeds and we use a herbal dewormer weekly in their feed.
I have been reading about copper deficiency and that may be a problem. We feed a free choice loose salt/mineral but can't use copper because of sheep. I do add some salt/mineral with copper in their feed when I milk but maybe it is not enough. I heard they sell copper bolus for goats. I may look into that.
I know the kids can take a lot out of them. This particular goat that is not keeping her condition, has looked great up until this year. She is as much of a pet to my daughter as she is my milk goat. Not all of them get the "pet" status. But my two older Oberhasli do!
Sandra
www.mittenstatesheepandwool.com |
| kristin sherrill |
Posted - Aug 23 2013 : 6:33:16 PM
Hey Sandra. I've been gone from here awhile then went on vacation and just got back. Just wanted to comment here about the goats.
I have a 7 year old Nubian doe that had triplets this year. They are a little over 3 months old now. She is a little ragged now, but as soon as the kids leave, she will look a lot better. The 2 year old 1st freshener looks a whole lot better now since her kids are gone. Nice and shiny coat.
I did have a 12 year old doe that had twin bucks this past Feb 3rd. She was the best doe ever and my first milk doe. I really debated weather or not to breed her again, but she decided to go ahead and do it. I so wish I had kept her away from the buck now. She went down hill after kidding and had to be put down. I would not recommend breeding past 10 years old.
I started feeding my sheep and goats kelp and sunflower seeds. I noticed their coats are shinier and they seem to be so much healthier. The kelp is pricey, but is something I will always have on hand from now on. I order it from a guy at the market who gets it from Countryside I think. I mix a mineral that smells like the ocean with the kelp for the sheep. And the goats get a goat mineral block too. Plus I feed my does a fermented grain mix.
Kris
The good beekeeper is generally more or less cranky. C.P. Dadant
www.kris-outbackfarm.blogspot.com
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