Seriously though....I can't believe it has been over two years since I "blogged" or posted anything here! It seems I "learned" how to use FaceBook and that took over where my blogging had been....and I'm not sure if that is good or bad.... for those who maybe aren't on FaceBook or just haven't seen it my soapy-goaty-farm-related-adventures can be seen on NadaLottaRanch Bath Works so feel free to join us there as well if you haven't! I also picked up some "insta-skills" on instagram and you can follow me there @ nlrsoaps too! Really proud of that one since it's not "my thing" to do tech-type-stuffs haha!
I'm taking a break from farm stuff outside to sit down and update things online - it's been on my mind and I need to "get 'er done" to shake it so I can focus. Just an update for those who do follow along....
In 2014/2015 we switched focus with the poultry to more heritage type breeds. Jersey Giant chickens, Silver Appleyard ducks, and we already had the Cotton Patch geese (and still do FYI...). This took some time out of the day and kept me busy.....
I also took a much more critical eye to my goats and the quality of the herd in terms of conformation and production....thinned the herd and focused on things besides my love for them....made my heart listen to my head...it was HARD but it's something I needed to do and I am still working on....watch for changes to come there in a very good way soon!
In 2016 there will be antics, and adventures, and so so much!
Showing posts with label dairy goats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dairy goats. Show all posts
Monday, January 4, 2016
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
My how they GROW!
Last week I had to catch up hoof trims and shots and what not and I weighed both of the "little girls" - who are NOT so little anymore! Remember Darlene? Who was 3 months old and 50lbs when I brought her home? Well now she is 5 1/2 months old (at the time) and weighed this much:
Yup - that says 87lbs! And I'd believe it, she is one side little load of goat! She does so well getting on the stand already for her hoof trims, and behaves too!
Then there is Dixie Chicken - my "little bit of shit" as I call her because she is always into something! Remember her? She wasn't even 8lbs when she was born, on May 6th, and she was so itty bitty sweetie petitie!
And now here she is, just read THAT weigh tape!
Oh yes, every bit of 63 lbs already! Also very good at hopping on the stand and behaving while I mess with her....she's trouble at times, but still very sweet and mild mannered over all (she's just a slightly spoiled baby). I can't believe she was just barely 3 months old when I got that weight and pic of her! She's gonna be a BIG girl, I know it!
So...that's the most recent goaty update....I hadn't realized I had forgotten about it till just now!
Then there is Dixie Chicken - my "little bit of shit" as I call her because she is always into something! Remember her? She wasn't even 8lbs when she was born, on May 6th, and she was so itty bitty sweetie petitie!
So...that's the most recent goaty update....I hadn't realized I had forgotten about it till just now!
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Milk Test, Round TWO!
Yup - it's that time again haha! ROUND TWO of milk testing...don't worry, I won't blog needlessly and aimlessly about every test date in detail...But, I had realized I hadn't really finalized everything with the last test.
There is my "fancy pants scale" with it's sticker on there to show it has been checked for calibration....
So, pretty basically, your get all your paper work together. This would be 2 VERY simple sheets, and 2 simple yet tedious sheets to fill out. One just states which does are coming into milk and which have been dried off. One is like your invoice - which you fill out since you know how many does and thus how many samples you are sending in. Don't forget your money order or check with it LOL.
The DMS213 or your "herd form" is one of the tedious ones - at least the first time ever, and then after that whenever you add does....it's where your address, times you milked, and your supervisors signature go AND any does you transfer in from other herds or just plain new does in milk from your own herd that have never been on test have to be entered in. THERE is the tedious bit - lots of little spaces to be filled in with numbers :P
After that you have your DMS201 or "supervisors barn sheet" - another form that CAN be a bit tedious. Once again, when adding does to the milking string, lots of little spaces wanting registration numbers and what not to be filled in :P BUT, once you are on a roll with the same does as last month, not bad. DO NOT forget to put the milk weights in! This is the one where your weights go - kinda crucial right? Also, any changes in reproductive type stuff - like if a doe is in heat, or if she has been bred, these things go on that form too!
Don't forget to make and save copies....you just never know when a box might get crushed and have milk spill all over stuff, or even lost in the mail. At least even if your samples are lost you will have you info on weights and what not saved so that part can count on your test day data!
After that you wait about 2 - 3 weeks and you will get an email back from Eva at Langston (if that is who you use) with all of this preprinted for next time and a receipt of sorts AND Your test results!!! That was a super cool day, and really nice to see how my does were doing in the butterfat and protein department too!
So, here we are at round two, time for another monthly test....Last night there was a milking and a weigh out....this morning there was a milking, weights taken AND samples! That's the other part - the MILK SAMPLES! VERY easy! Your supervisor just uses your little DHIA approved dipper to fill the vial about half full in the a.m. and again half full in the p.m. - per Eva at Langston you want half and half from each milking to fully and accurately represent what that doe is making in a 24 hour period right? Don't forget to label the vials with a BLACK permanent marker....and bring them in the house. They do NOT need to be refrigerated (that little tiny tablet preserves them just fine), but leaving them outside can be risky on several levels - if something gets into your vials and destroys your samples you don't want to start over :(
Here mine are waiting for the p.m. milking:
After the evening milking I will box this up with the $$$ (all of $10.46 - easily pulled out of the farm funds lol) and in the morning off it will go to Oklahoma and Langston University :) Next time we test it will be a "verification test" - no big deal but it will involve one more person.
Also...don't forget to send in your "Herd Code" to ADGA....Your herd code will come in that email with you first set of test results, pre printed on the form for next time and ADGA will need that to track your records to apply it to THEIR records LOL. You can mail back the little slip they send you OR you can even email it to them! SUPER easy to do! I emailed mine the second I got it from one place off to the next :)
So....big excitement and highlight of my day, milk test :) Who knew tests could be so exciting I said!
So, pretty basically, your get all your paper work together. This would be 2 VERY simple sheets, and 2 simple yet tedious sheets to fill out. One just states which does are coming into milk and which have been dried off. One is like your invoice - which you fill out since you know how many does and thus how many samples you are sending in. Don't forget your money order or check with it LOL.
The DMS213 or your "herd form" is one of the tedious ones - at least the first time ever, and then after that whenever you add does....it's where your address, times you milked, and your supervisors signature go AND any does you transfer in from other herds or just plain new does in milk from your own herd that have never been on test have to be entered in. THERE is the tedious bit - lots of little spaces to be filled in with numbers :P
After that you have your DMS201 or "supervisors barn sheet" - another form that CAN be a bit tedious. Once again, when adding does to the milking string, lots of little spaces wanting registration numbers and what not to be filled in :P BUT, once you are on a roll with the same does as last month, not bad. DO NOT forget to put the milk weights in! This is the one where your weights go - kinda crucial right? Also, any changes in reproductive type stuff - like if a doe is in heat, or if she has been bred, these things go on that form too!
Don't forget to make and save copies....you just never know when a box might get crushed and have milk spill all over stuff, or even lost in the mail. At least even if your samples are lost you will have you info on weights and what not saved so that part can count on your test day data!
After that you wait about 2 - 3 weeks and you will get an email back from Eva at Langston (if that is who you use) with all of this preprinted for next time and a receipt of sorts AND Your test results!!! That was a super cool day, and really nice to see how my does were doing in the butterfat and protein department too!
So, here we are at round two, time for another monthly test....Last night there was a milking and a weigh out....this morning there was a milking, weights taken AND samples! That's the other part - the MILK SAMPLES! VERY easy! Your supervisor just uses your little DHIA approved dipper to fill the vial about half full in the a.m. and again half full in the p.m. - per Eva at Langston you want half and half from each milking to fully and accurately represent what that doe is making in a 24 hour period right? Don't forget to label the vials with a BLACK permanent marker....and bring them in the house. They do NOT need to be refrigerated (that little tiny tablet preserves them just fine), but leaving them outside can be risky on several levels - if something gets into your vials and destroys your samples you don't want to start over :(
Here mine are waiting for the p.m. milking:
Also...don't forget to send in your "Herd Code" to ADGA....Your herd code will come in that email with you first set of test results, pre printed on the form for next time and ADGA will need that to track your records to apply it to THEIR records LOL. You can mail back the little slip they send you OR you can even email it to them! SUPER easy to do! I emailed mine the second I got it from one place off to the next :)
So....big excitement and highlight of my day, milk test :) Who knew tests could be so exciting I said!
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Culling again....
It's getting close to fall, close to when most other people will be breeding their goats for the first time this year, and not just myself, but many other breeders will be culling the herd. When it gets close to "breeding season" you start noticing all the flaws in your goats more so, mostly because you are looking to see what buck will compliment what doe and so on.
Well, I have decided I have one runty one that has to go - she's well built structurally, just tiny and a hard keeper to boot. I don't want anymore hard keepers that's number one. The fact that she just refuses to grow is number 2. I don't know what it is, maybe she is anorexic, but dammit, she just WILL NOT eat! She never wanted to finish a bottle as a baby, she never shows much interest in ANY food - just hangs out with the others, playing and goofing off while they chow down!
So, TC has been benched if you will....
She isn't gone yet - oh no - I have someone ALLEGEDLY placing a deposit on her and wanting to come in 2 weeks to get her....we will see. I never really believe it until I see it with stuff like that. But she is on her way out at least.
Also...I have 3 milkers that are good milkers, pretty decent BUT: One has bad feet, the other has small teats, and the last one is just a rotten turd. IF they are not bred and come back open when I send off for bloodwork and pregnancy tests in another week or 2, then THEY are out too! I REALLY wanted to retain kids from them, as I know structurally and personality wise I get improvements in their kids with my bucks...BUT...the plan is all 3 MUST go eventually. If they come back open and not bred, then that means I must wait another 5 - 6 months before they kid...right now we are about 3 1/2 months out from kidding. I can do 3 1/2 months...I dunno if I can do twice that much time. SO....we will see with them.
Needless to say, the "market" will have some decent goats on it soon - not super top of the line awesome, but not totally bad or sickly either...just kind of a pain in my butt and not right for me....
Well, I have decided I have one runty one that has to go - she's well built structurally, just tiny and a hard keeper to boot. I don't want anymore hard keepers that's number one. The fact that she just refuses to grow is number 2. I don't know what it is, maybe she is anorexic, but dammit, she just WILL NOT eat! She never wanted to finish a bottle as a baby, she never shows much interest in ANY food - just hangs out with the others, playing and goofing off while they chow down!
So, TC has been benched if you will....
Also...I have 3 milkers that are good milkers, pretty decent BUT: One has bad feet, the other has small teats, and the last one is just a rotten turd. IF they are not bred and come back open when I send off for bloodwork and pregnancy tests in another week or 2, then THEY are out too! I REALLY wanted to retain kids from them, as I know structurally and personality wise I get improvements in their kids with my bucks...BUT...the plan is all 3 MUST go eventually. If they come back open and not bred, then that means I must wait another 5 - 6 months before they kid...right now we are about 3 1/2 months out from kidding. I can do 3 1/2 months...I dunno if I can do twice that much time. SO....we will see with them.
Needless to say, the "market" will have some decent goats on it soon - not super top of the line awesome, but not totally bad or sickly either...just kind of a pain in my butt and not right for me....
Thursday, June 20, 2013
Pimp Juice - an update!
So, for those who are following along, earlier in the month we talked about breeding the goats, CIDRs and PG600 (aka "Pimp Juice"). Pimp Juice is the little miracle here I had mentioned - I had also mentioned that I would update on the frozen pimp juice.....
See, as you may recall, once you reconstitute PG600 you have to use it right away - that day - you aren't supposed to leave it out room temp OR lingering in the fridge for weeks and months....however....
You may also recall that there was rumor of being able to freeze it and thaw THEN use it....well.... IT WORKS!!!!!! Happy dance, happy dance IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yes, see my partner in crime this time - the one who found out that CIDRs alone do NOT work - well, I went to visit her yesterday and saw with my own eyes a doe who had been given the frozen and then thawed Pimp Juice - oh yes, she was in heat! Screaming for some lovin', tail flaggin', glad to see the buck HEAT! Estrus, breeding, ready to go in heat - all with frozen Pimp Juice!
So...update as promised, fozen pimp juice (PG 600 to be exact) DOES work! This is good to know, once again, as you may recall, the bottle is enough for almost 15 goats! But you don't always want to breed 15 goats at once, yet you can't just save it in the fridge....so what to do?? FREEZE THE PIMP JUICE! Portion it out by dose, freeze it, and thaw when ready and BAM! She'll only want the buck with her pimp juice....so good to know :)
Guess next time I get a bottle I will be keeping it frozen in portions until I am ready to use them...makes perfect sense to me :) I'm a controlling mother I know...but we need a little order around here for things to work right...and frozen or fresh, "Pimp Juice" makes that happen!
See, as you may recall, once you reconstitute PG600 you have to use it right away - that day - you aren't supposed to leave it out room temp OR lingering in the fridge for weeks and months....however....
You may also recall that there was rumor of being able to freeze it and thaw THEN use it....well.... IT WORKS!!!!!! Happy dance, happy dance IT WORKS!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yes, see my partner in crime this time - the one who found out that CIDRs alone do NOT work - well, I went to visit her yesterday and saw with my own eyes a doe who had been given the frozen and then thawed Pimp Juice - oh yes, she was in heat! Screaming for some lovin', tail flaggin', glad to see the buck HEAT! Estrus, breeding, ready to go in heat - all with frozen Pimp Juice!
So...update as promised, fozen pimp juice (PG 600 to be exact) DOES work! This is good to know, once again, as you may recall, the bottle is enough for almost 15 goats! But you don't always want to breed 15 goats at once, yet you can't just save it in the fridge....so what to do?? FREEZE THE PIMP JUICE! Portion it out by dose, freeze it, and thaw when ready and BAM! She'll only want the buck with her pimp juice....so good to know :)
Guess next time I get a bottle I will be keeping it frozen in portions until I am ready to use them...makes perfect sense to me :) I'm a controlling mother I know...but we need a little order around here for things to work right...and frozen or fresh, "Pimp Juice" makes that happen!
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Checking Calibration before You Begin....
All scales must be checked for calibration before going on test - even brand new scales - and then once a year after that. Where in the heck are you gonna get that done right? How far do you have to go? What do you need to get after that? Okay - this sounds REALLY hard right? Not so, it can be VERY easy.....but the simple fact is no matter what, if you are on milk test, your scale will need to be calibrated once a year. THEN proof of that will have to be on file with your DRPC.....it's pretty simple I tell you.
ALLEGEDLY some post offices will do this for you. I called the nearest 4 within an hour or so from me - they all thought I was a loon. BUT...if you can find somewhere to do it for you, they will need to write you a note saying who they are, what company they are with, what kind of scales you have, what poundage they checked it at, the date they checked it, and your name. Pretty simple.
Now, what if you can't find somewhere? NO FEAR - at least for my herd, since we are using Langston University, THEY will do this for me! BEAUTIFUL! They check the calibration on my scale, and handle the records for it.
Now...what does this cost? $15 - THAT IS IT! Well...you have to ship it to them...that cost me like $12 for priority shipping with the post office (plus insurance...because it is a brand new scale after all right?). But, that's not bad - for less then $30 my scale is checked for calibration and the post office picked it up from the door for shipping so I didn't even have to put on shoes LOL! The best part is my DRPC is handling it so I KNOW I will have the right paperwork in place with them :)
You want to send it to: Langston University, ATTN: EVA, PO BOX 730, Langston, OK, 73050 Don't forget your $15 check or money order! That pays for it to be shipped back to you insured!
So...now we wait...my scale was sent today to be checked for it's calibration, my supervisors have all submitted their tests, my application has been mailed off to ADGA, my dipper came :)
Isn't that the biggest joke as far as packaging goes??? ALL that for one TINY little dipper! HA! Cracked me up! Also, my "sample kit" has arrived:
I have enough vials for 20 goats....this should last me a while haha! Look inside, I find this part super fascinating:
See that teeny tiny little pill? THAT is the magic pill that keeps the milk from spoiling for about 7 days - REALLY tiny! I was expecting something the size of a Tylenol at least in there, but nope, just that itty bitty little red dot...that's the magic that allows milk to be shipped!
So...now we REALLY wait to "go on test"...I'm excited, just have to get the last of everything finalized and we are all set for our first test day!
ALLEGEDLY some post offices will do this for you. I called the nearest 4 within an hour or so from me - they all thought I was a loon. BUT...if you can find somewhere to do it for you, they will need to write you a note saying who they are, what company they are with, what kind of scales you have, what poundage they checked it at, the date they checked it, and your name. Pretty simple.
Now, what if you can't find somewhere? NO FEAR - at least for my herd, since we are using Langston University, THEY will do this for me! BEAUTIFUL! They check the calibration on my scale, and handle the records for it.
Now...what does this cost? $15 - THAT IS IT! Well...you have to ship it to them...that cost me like $12 for priority shipping with the post office (plus insurance...because it is a brand new scale after all right?). But, that's not bad - for less then $30 my scale is checked for calibration and the post office picked it up from the door for shipping so I didn't even have to put on shoes LOL! The best part is my DRPC is handling it so I KNOW I will have the right paperwork in place with them :)
You want to send it to: Langston University, ATTN: EVA, PO BOX 730, Langston, OK, 73050 Don't forget your $15 check or money order! That pays for it to be shipped back to you insured!
So...now we wait...my scale was sent today to be checked for it's calibration, my supervisors have all submitted their tests, my application has been mailed off to ADGA, my dipper came :)
So...now we REALLY wait to "go on test"...I'm excited, just have to get the last of everything finalized and we are all set for our first test day!
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Filling out the ADGA Application for milk testing...
Okay, fresh off the phone with Penny at ADGA, I figured I would share this info with anyone who stumbles across it :P When you go to fill out your application for Official DHIR Testing, you may have some questions...I did....so here are the answers I have so far...walk through the app with me....
Name of Herd Owner - pretty basic, that's you (remember to put it on there just like it is with ADGA....)
Mailing Address and Date...duh right? Pretty easy....
Date of First Expected Test - here's where you can kind of guess a little. Depending on when your does freshen, or in my case if they already have freshened, you can just put in the month you hope to begin. It is now June, I REALLY want to get our first test in before July, but just in case I put "July"...if I test close to that the first time we will still be okay, no worries :) Just remember it doesn't have to be an exact date!
There is a box below that where you pick the type of test and which test you are going on....for me, it is Standard and DHIR 20- Standard that I have checked off. Pick the one that fits your herd and situation best...but keep in mind from here on out I will be referring to the test plan I am on, as that will be the one I am familiar with over time :)
Tester - When you get here, if you are on test for the first time, it can be confusing. What if you don't have your testers' ID# yet? NO WORRIES! Just put "Pending" - as long as you have their name and phone number in there, it will be okay! Remember, this is your second, nonrelated, not you test supervisor they want info on! Now...for the type of test I am goiug on, I will require a verification test by ANOTHER tester...I called, I asked, should I put the second tester on there? The answer to that is NO...just the one who will be coming regularly to do your testing! That's all you need there!
Name of DHIA - Depending on where you are in the nation, I suppose other states will use other labs...there is a list from ADGA on their website, which will also be printed out and come in your DHIR packet (when you ask them to send you one) that has all of them on there. This is there FAQ Page for DHIR testing.....this is the list of Regional Affiliates where you will be sending your milk samples and barn sheets each month. For me, I have gone with Langston University...can't tell you about any of the others as I lack experience with them...but I can and will say again Eva at Langston is AWESOME! Point Being...I just wrote Langston University in that box :)
DRPC: that is the Dairy Records Processing Center (remember that?) For me, once again, I can check off Langston....and also once again I am not sure what other regions/areas use...but here in Texas, that's what I am doing :)
Members of Testing Group - this is only if you are on group test, if you are on standard test, just leave it blank....
Next, the $$$....check off the right box for how many does will be on test (doe kids still on bottles, bucks, wethers, they don't count....just the does in milk or coming into milk for the year and going on test). So, stop, count your does, and fork it over lol :) NOW....I had read on one of the sheets in the packet there was an additional fee for new herds...I called, and I was told NO there is not! So...perhaps the literature in the packet is a bit outdated, perhaps not and I got the wrong answer...BUT...feel free to double check with ADGA before you write the check :) I did, took about 30 seconds, and I felt better having the correct amount for sure! Don't forget your payment info if using a card!
Okay....DHI Herd Code # - for new herds, like me, just write in "Pending"...that will come shortly for you - pending is perfect for now :)
Don't forget to sign and put your ADGA member # on there at the bottom!
Okay...now...if you print it off online, it's another sheet...but if you get the packet, on the back, it wants a list of your does....Being an ADGA member, and doing things online has it's advantages here! Instead of dragging out my binder of registration papers...all I had to do was log on to my ADGA account, pull my "Currently Owned List", print it off and staple it on! SUPER EASY PEASY! If you want to go "old school" and write everything in by hand, that's okay too :)
Now....while you are waiting on your scale to come back from being calibrated, and waiting on your supervisor tests to be verified...go stick that sucker in an envelope with a stamp and ship it out to ADGA! Don't forget to always make and keep a copy of everything, along with notes on when it was mailed so you can track stuff and refer back to it...JUST IN CASE! I actually keep everything important in sheet protectors, in a 3 ring binder - each goats registration papers, my CAE test results, all that is in one nice binder for reference. I have a tab for "Tests/Vet", Bucks, Does, and now DHIR :) I keep sold goat papers in a separate binder too....no really...I have a thing about this paper work :P But, like I mentioned, start keeping up with it so if you ever need it, you have it at hand! Shame to do all this work and loose a sheet or 2 and not get credit if you can't reproduce them right?
Okay....go fill out and send off your ADGA application and start waiting with me :) I have a few things I need to get back and THEN we go "on test"!!!!
Name of Herd Owner - pretty basic, that's you (remember to put it on there just like it is with ADGA....)
Mailing Address and Date...duh right? Pretty easy....
Date of First Expected Test - here's where you can kind of guess a little. Depending on when your does freshen, or in my case if they already have freshened, you can just put in the month you hope to begin. It is now June, I REALLY want to get our first test in before July, but just in case I put "July"...if I test close to that the first time we will still be okay, no worries :) Just remember it doesn't have to be an exact date!
There is a box below that where you pick the type of test and which test you are going on....for me, it is Standard and DHIR 20- Standard that I have checked off. Pick the one that fits your herd and situation best...but keep in mind from here on out I will be referring to the test plan I am on, as that will be the one I am familiar with over time :)
Tester - When you get here, if you are on test for the first time, it can be confusing. What if you don't have your testers' ID# yet? NO WORRIES! Just put "Pending" - as long as you have their name and phone number in there, it will be okay! Remember, this is your second, nonrelated, not you test supervisor they want info on! Now...for the type of test I am goiug on, I will require a verification test by ANOTHER tester...I called, I asked, should I put the second tester on there? The answer to that is NO...just the one who will be coming regularly to do your testing! That's all you need there!
Name of DHIA - Depending on where you are in the nation, I suppose other states will use other labs...there is a list from ADGA on their website, which will also be printed out and come in your DHIR packet (when you ask them to send you one) that has all of them on there. This is there FAQ Page for DHIR testing.....this is the list of Regional Affiliates where you will be sending your milk samples and barn sheets each month. For me, I have gone with Langston University...can't tell you about any of the others as I lack experience with them...but I can and will say again Eva at Langston is AWESOME! Point Being...I just wrote Langston University in that box :)
DRPC: that is the Dairy Records Processing Center (remember that?) For me, once again, I can check off Langston....and also once again I am not sure what other regions/areas use...but here in Texas, that's what I am doing :)
Members of Testing Group - this is only if you are on group test, if you are on standard test, just leave it blank....
Next, the $$$....check off the right box for how many does will be on test (doe kids still on bottles, bucks, wethers, they don't count....just the does in milk or coming into milk for the year and going on test). So, stop, count your does, and fork it over lol :) NOW....I had read on one of the sheets in the packet there was an additional fee for new herds...I called, and I was told NO there is not! So...perhaps the literature in the packet is a bit outdated, perhaps not and I got the wrong answer...BUT...feel free to double check with ADGA before you write the check :) I did, took about 30 seconds, and I felt better having the correct amount for sure! Don't forget your payment info if using a card!
Okay....DHI Herd Code # - for new herds, like me, just write in "Pending"...that will come shortly for you - pending is perfect for now :)
Don't forget to sign and put your ADGA member # on there at the bottom!
Okay...now...if you print it off online, it's another sheet...but if you get the packet, on the back, it wants a list of your does....Being an ADGA member, and doing things online has it's advantages here! Instead of dragging out my binder of registration papers...all I had to do was log on to my ADGA account, pull my "Currently Owned List", print it off and staple it on! SUPER EASY PEASY! If you want to go "old school" and write everything in by hand, that's okay too :)
Now....while you are waiting on your scale to come back from being calibrated, and waiting on your supervisor tests to be verified...go stick that sucker in an envelope with a stamp and ship it out to ADGA! Don't forget to always make and keep a copy of everything, along with notes on when it was mailed so you can track stuff and refer back to it...JUST IN CASE! I actually keep everything important in sheet protectors, in a 3 ring binder - each goats registration papers, my CAE test results, all that is in one nice binder for reference. I have a tab for "Tests/Vet", Bucks, Does, and now DHIR :) I keep sold goat papers in a separate binder too....no really...I have a thing about this paper work :P But, like I mentioned, start keeping up with it so if you ever need it, you have it at hand! Shame to do all this work and loose a sheet or 2 and not get credit if you can't reproduce them right?
Okay....go fill out and send off your ADGA application and start waiting with me :) I have a few things I need to get back and THEN we go "on test"!!!!
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Taking the Test to go "On Test"
Langston University shall be overseeing all of my milk test info - weights, samples, records - all that will be sent to them and they will report to ADGA. In order to do that, you are gonna need a supervisor - 2 is always better than one! First of all, you need them to come do your tests monthly. Second, there will have to be (on my plan it seems at least) one "verification test" and THAT must be done by a SECOND supervisor! So - if one gets sick or can't make it - you have a second in "your pocket" and then you have your verification test covered.
IN TEXAS - I don't know about anywhere else - but here, in my little region of the world - it can be ANYONE...almost....They can't be related to you OR your herd! Meaning they can't have bought goats from you, or be a family member! Thankfully, I have non-goat owning friends who have stepped up to the plate!
Now...that test you take...it sounds a little scary right? No, not so AT ALL! SUPER easy! Like watch about 40 minutes of youtube video and take a simple 15 question test EASY!
Part one of the video can be seen here - there are 4 parts to be watched! Be warned - it's not that interesting! I had to pause and go back a few times and call with questions to get everything cemented in my mind correctly before I did the test! But really - super easy I said!
Eva Vasquez
Langston DHI Lab for Goats
100 Success Ave.
Res. & Ext. Complex
Langston University
Langston, OK 73050
Phone 405-466-6207
Fax 405-466-6180
THAT is all of the contact info for Langston University - if you choose or can use them as your DRPC (DRPC means Dairy Records Processing Center) - anyways, if you go through them that is how to reach Eva who will always take a minute to walk you through everything - SHE IS AWESOME! Another awesome person is Penny at ADGA who has answered everything for me with great care!
Point being - if you want to get started, email her for the test, watch the short videos, print off and fill out the test then mail in it to her - it really is that easy to be a certified supervisor!
So...if you want to go on milk test (here in Texas at least - some states have different requirements) - double check with Eva at Langston and get your supervisors in line. It only takes about an hour or 2 of your day this once and you are done for the year and good to go :)
P.S. - Take note here - when you finish your test, you will need to mail it in to Langston University...the address for that is: P.O. Box 730, Langston, OK, 73050....good to know info for those of you doing the test :)
IN TEXAS - I don't know about anywhere else - but here, in my little region of the world - it can be ANYONE...almost....They can't be related to you OR your herd! Meaning they can't have bought goats from you, or be a family member! Thankfully, I have non-goat owning friends who have stepped up to the plate!
Now...that test you take...it sounds a little scary right? No, not so AT ALL! SUPER easy! Like watch about 40 minutes of youtube video and take a simple 15 question test EASY!
Part one of the video can be seen here - there are 4 parts to be watched! Be warned - it's not that interesting! I had to pause and go back a few times and call with questions to get everything cemented in my mind correctly before I did the test! But really - super easy I said!
Eva Vasquez
Langston DHI Lab for Goats
100 Success Ave.
Res. & Ext. Complex
Langston University
Langston, OK 73050
Phone 405-466-6207
Fax 405-466-6180
THAT is all of the contact info for Langston University - if you choose or can use them as your DRPC (DRPC means Dairy Records Processing Center) - anyways, if you go through them that is how to reach Eva who will always take a minute to walk you through everything - SHE IS AWESOME! Another awesome person is Penny at ADGA who has answered everything for me with great care!
Point being - if you want to get started, email her for the test, watch the short videos, print off and fill out the test then mail in it to her - it really is that easy to be a certified supervisor!
So...if you want to go on milk test (here in Texas at least - some states have different requirements) - double check with Eva at Langston and get your supervisors in line. It only takes about an hour or 2 of your day this once and you are done for the year and good to go :)
P.S. - Take note here - when you finish your test, you will need to mail it in to Langston University...the address for that is: P.O. Box 730, Langston, OK, 73050....good to know info for those of you doing the test :)
Monday, June 10, 2013
Hooray For Fencing!
Actually....building fencing kinda sucks. No matter what, the weather will be NOT in my favor, there's all sorts of biting, stinging, angry bugs looking to accost me the minute I walk out the door with a project in mind, and many a time a hammer will miss a nail and find, instead, my tender fingers.....Yes, the act of fencing is NOT one of my favorite jobs!
I will admit, cheerfully no less, that I DO enjoy seeing it completed! I haven't built anything outside in a LONG time plus I really wanted to be able to be gone on the weekends and not feel bad about not walking the goats those days! I enjoy seeing my less than perfect little fence job - remember, city girl here :P I'm not a master fence builder by any means - I'm just capable of building things strong enough (once the goats show me where they are weak) to keep the goats in!
Fifty feet long by 25 feet wide - no, it's not the most amazing biggest longest fence built ever - BUT IT FEELS LIKE IT haha! Eventually I will expand - slowly - to include more of the "yard" for them....maybe one day I will be brave enough to run them an adjoining pasture through those woods in the background. The girls would REALLY love that! Goats are browsers - not grazers - and they prefer to eat weeds, brushy things, and trees nor grass. But they get plenty of hay and feed - so the grassy area is really more for them to be able to run and move around in.
Yes, we will still go on grazing walks - or "property grooming excursions" so they can eat all the poison oak, ivy and sumac they want around here (and we have a TON of it out here!) but at least now I can leave them on lock down and not feel bad about it. When I have to leave, when company comes and we need to keep their cars safe, any time they should be on lockdown I don't feel bad any more :)
I don't know what I want my next project to be....I have several in mind....do I want to relocate the pig housing and build her a nice little spot right up here by the house? Do I want to renovate the chicken coop? I keep saying we are going to fence in the front of the property and get that done so the horses can be loose more...do I want to tackle that? I dunno....I think I want to get all of the little stuff out of the way first and that last one is a BIG job that will involve more than just myself! Oh yes....I got the neighbors son to help me unroll the fence along the posts, and I conned my husband into putting the clips on at the t-posts as I always spend way too long fighting with those stupid things - but everything else there was all me :) Took the better part of the last 5 days too LOL - but remember I start and end my days with a few hours of work so my days are not ALL fence related!
I dunno....I have a few things to think on and a day off (or two) to take AND I need to clean this house - I let it go 2 weeks ago when we had a flood (story to follow)....so while I rest and recover from my outside duties I will think on it and plot and plan....But I am happy to finally see the goats able to run and play and use their cable spool thing I brought home a year ago!
I will admit, cheerfully no less, that I DO enjoy seeing it completed! I haven't built anything outside in a LONG time plus I really wanted to be able to be gone on the weekends and not feel bad about not walking the goats those days! I enjoy seeing my less than perfect little fence job - remember, city girl here :P I'm not a master fence builder by any means - I'm just capable of building things strong enough (once the goats show me where they are weak) to keep the goats in!
Yes, we will still go on grazing walks - or "property grooming excursions" so they can eat all the poison oak, ivy and sumac they want around here (and we have a TON of it out here!) but at least now I can leave them on lock down and not feel bad about it. When I have to leave, when company comes and we need to keep their cars safe, any time they should be on lockdown I don't feel bad any more :)
I don't know what I want my next project to be....I have several in mind....do I want to relocate the pig housing and build her a nice little spot right up here by the house? Do I want to renovate the chicken coop? I keep saying we are going to fence in the front of the property and get that done so the horses can be loose more...do I want to tackle that? I dunno....I think I want to get all of the little stuff out of the way first and that last one is a BIG job that will involve more than just myself! Oh yes....I got the neighbors son to help me unroll the fence along the posts, and I conned my husband into putting the clips on at the t-posts as I always spend way too long fighting with those stupid things - but everything else there was all me :) Took the better part of the last 5 days too LOL - but remember I start and end my days with a few hours of work so my days are not ALL fence related!
I dunno....I have a few things to think on and a day off (or two) to take AND I need to clean this house - I let it go 2 weeks ago when we had a flood (story to follow)....so while I rest and recover from my outside duties I will think on it and plot and plan....But I am happy to finally see the goats able to run and play and use their cable spool thing I brought home a year ago!
Sunday, June 9, 2013
DHIR....DHIA....Owner Sampler what? MILK TEST!!!!!!!!!!
Why yes...I do believe before the month is out our little herd here at NadaLottaRanch will be on milk test officially :) Kind of exciting really - I have wanted to go official for YEARS in this fashion...but I have been scared away by the paperwork and how much it seemed like you needed to do. I had this vision in my head of needing to fill out a million forms each and every day at each and every milking...um NO! NOT THAT HARD!
First of all, why test you ask? What's in it for the herd? Well, very simply, your does can earn their "stars". I know...stars on yars...sounds like that book by Dr. Seuss about the Sneeches right? But stars are GOOD! With dairy goats you want to see things like "star milkers" in their back ground. You want to know that a goat comes from genetics that produce MILK and LOTS of it LOL :) Otherwise, WHY have a DAIRY goat? I mean yeah, sure, showing can be fun and rewarding if you enjoy it. But really...ultimately...to me at least, a dairy goat needs to make enough milk for my time and effort in caring for them and milking them to be WORTH it! A cup or 2 a day, even back when we had dwarf goats, does NOT cut it! We need to see POUNDS of milk a flowing!
The other thing you find out by sending in samples of your does' milk is how much protein and butterfat they are putting out there. I would prefer to see a goat make a bit less milk with higher fat and protein than a doe who makes tons and tones but it's almost all water. When making things like cheese and yogurt, and even when just drinking it, you want a nice, sweet, rich milk. Not a watery milk.
I have a few more questions to call ADGA with....a few more to call Langston with (who my tests/samples will go to each month) and then after a few forms to fill out and I will be good to go :) I'm pretty excited - at this point I am drying up 3 of the 5 does in milk and I will only have 2 on test. To me, I want it to be simple the first year. I want to only have the potential of a few mistakes and not a whole herd worth if we screw up on papers haha, PLUS the other does have been in milk for 6 months now and I am ready for a break! After this, there will be no more breaks....starting with the next round of kidding we will be on test until I give up LOL...and I think as simple as this is I can stick with ti for a long time to come!
So...stay tuned....there will be more info on this to come so everyone can join in. It really is a valuable tool in making well informed decisions on what goats to buy and bring into your herd and such - remember, it costs the same to feed a crummy, low producing wompy looking goat as it does to feed a high producing well built goat! Might as well get the most bang for you buck when you buy right?
Happy dance, happy dance - we are gonna be "official" lol :)
First of all, why test you ask? What's in it for the herd? Well, very simply, your does can earn their "stars". I know...stars on yars...sounds like that book by Dr. Seuss about the Sneeches right? But stars are GOOD! With dairy goats you want to see things like "star milkers" in their back ground. You want to know that a goat comes from genetics that produce MILK and LOTS of it LOL :) Otherwise, WHY have a DAIRY goat? I mean yeah, sure, showing can be fun and rewarding if you enjoy it. But really...ultimately...to me at least, a dairy goat needs to make enough milk for my time and effort in caring for them and milking them to be WORTH it! A cup or 2 a day, even back when we had dwarf goats, does NOT cut it! We need to see POUNDS of milk a flowing!
The other thing you find out by sending in samples of your does' milk is how much protein and butterfat they are putting out there. I would prefer to see a goat make a bit less milk with higher fat and protein than a doe who makes tons and tones but it's almost all water. When making things like cheese and yogurt, and even when just drinking it, you want a nice, sweet, rich milk. Not a watery milk.
I have a few more questions to call ADGA with....a few more to call Langston with (who my tests/samples will go to each month) and then after a few forms to fill out and I will be good to go :) I'm pretty excited - at this point I am drying up 3 of the 5 does in milk and I will only have 2 on test. To me, I want it to be simple the first year. I want to only have the potential of a few mistakes and not a whole herd worth if we screw up on papers haha, PLUS the other does have been in milk for 6 months now and I am ready for a break! After this, there will be no more breaks....starting with the next round of kidding we will be on test until I give up LOL...and I think as simple as this is I can stick with ti for a long time to come!
So...stay tuned....there will be more info on this to come so everyone can join in. It really is a valuable tool in making well informed decisions on what goats to buy and bring into your herd and such - remember, it costs the same to feed a crummy, low producing wompy looking goat as it does to feed a high producing well built goat! Might as well get the most bang for you buck when you buy right?
Happy dance, happy dance - we are gonna be "official" lol :)
PG600....AKA "Pimp Juice"...Has Arrived :)
So...a little over 3 weeks ago CIDRs went into 5 of the girls here....last week my "Pimp Juice" came!
I know - the bottle speaks of pigs - but in the dairy goat world we use it in conjunction with CIDRs to get the girls to come into heat. Sooo....everyone got their 1.5cc shot (IM) on Wednesday. Hooves were trimmed through the whole herd, a few not being bred were wormed, and then that evening CIDRs were pulled. Next day BAM! Willow was in first...then Champagne, then Fajita and Penelope and lastly Charyzma. HOPEFULLY everyone takes....well....actually I'd be happy with 3...but all 5 would be great too :)
I have my doubts on a few...Charyzma being one as she was the last to come in and not that amused with the entire process....we will see in 45 days or so when I pull blood to send off for pregnancy tests through Biotracking....
It's been a busy few weeks - what with the arrival of the Pimp Juice, a water heater melt down I have yet to blog about, breeding, working on a new yard for the ladies, blood draws for my herd and 2 others for their annual CAE testing...oh yes...been a little hectic! But it's nice to have several girls exposed and the hopes of winter milk on the way.
Please note this also....I am seeing a herd I PERSONALLY not only drove almost 2 hours one way out to last July But also I PERSONALLY gave their does shots of the PG600 (since the husband was working and the wife doesn't do shots) anyways...point being I am seeing them telling people they bred last season USING CIDRs ALONE AND THAT IS A FALSE STATEMENT! Be cautious when you take advice from people...I admit I myself do not know everything, with goats you learn something new once a week, it's how they work! BUT....to be blatantly lying...well....it REALLY eats at me. Perhaps they don't know, perhaps they forgot....BUT THEY DID use the PG600 last year! I have already hit on one herd who took their statement for fact only to be let down when does did NOT come into heat with the removal of CIDRS and NO PG600 was given. It was kinda sad to see someone have to start over on that long wait to breeding! Now, IN SEASON (as most goats tend to be "seasonal breeders") MAYBE it works without the Pimp Juice....I don't know....never tried it without....BUT OUT OF SEASON I am pretty sure after hearing that YOU NEED THE PIMP JUICE! The CIDRs prep the goats to ovulate, the Pimp Juice makes them ovulate...it's a process followed by those that do AI...so even with live cover from a buck it works.
Also...with the "Pimp Juice"...please note: IT is SUPPOSED to be mixed and used FRESH! Not kept refrigerated between breedings. THERE IS A RUMOR that you can mix it and freeze it by dose and thaw as needed...I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WORKS, lord knows I am NOT a vet...but since you can only get one huge vial (enough for 5 pigs or 15 goats)...it is worth a try I suppose! I have a cohort working on this theory now - she took the rest, did a few shots that same day and has frozen the left over...when I hear back what she has to say I will report on it!
Needless to say, a little time and money has gone into this effort. The supplies and days spent doing this DOES add up - BUT - it is worth it! It makes my year so much more manageable to be able to be on a schedule I set! I am happy with it, and I can't wait to see who comes back open and who comes back bred! Watch for updates...more news to come!
Oh...what breeds will we be getting you ask? I bred saanens, nubians, and a few crosses....so we will see who comes back bred :)
I have my doubts on a few...Charyzma being one as she was the last to come in and not that amused with the entire process....we will see in 45 days or so when I pull blood to send off for pregnancy tests through Biotracking....
It's been a busy few weeks - what with the arrival of the Pimp Juice, a water heater melt down I have yet to blog about, breeding, working on a new yard for the ladies, blood draws for my herd and 2 others for their annual CAE testing...oh yes...been a little hectic! But it's nice to have several girls exposed and the hopes of winter milk on the way.
Please note this also....I am seeing a herd I PERSONALLY not only drove almost 2 hours one way out to last July But also I PERSONALLY gave their does shots of the PG600 (since the husband was working and the wife doesn't do shots) anyways...point being I am seeing them telling people they bred last season USING CIDRs ALONE AND THAT IS A FALSE STATEMENT! Be cautious when you take advice from people...I admit I myself do not know everything, with goats you learn something new once a week, it's how they work! BUT....to be blatantly lying...well....it REALLY eats at me. Perhaps they don't know, perhaps they forgot....BUT THEY DID use the PG600 last year! I have already hit on one herd who took their statement for fact only to be let down when does did NOT come into heat with the removal of CIDRS and NO PG600 was given. It was kinda sad to see someone have to start over on that long wait to breeding! Now, IN SEASON (as most goats tend to be "seasonal breeders") MAYBE it works without the Pimp Juice....I don't know....never tried it without....BUT OUT OF SEASON I am pretty sure after hearing that YOU NEED THE PIMP JUICE! The CIDRs prep the goats to ovulate, the Pimp Juice makes them ovulate...it's a process followed by those that do AI...so even with live cover from a buck it works.
Also...with the "Pimp Juice"...please note: IT is SUPPOSED to be mixed and used FRESH! Not kept refrigerated between breedings. THERE IS A RUMOR that you can mix it and freeze it by dose and thaw as needed...I DO NOT KNOW IF IT WORKS, lord knows I am NOT a vet...but since you can only get one huge vial (enough for 5 pigs or 15 goats)...it is worth a try I suppose! I have a cohort working on this theory now - she took the rest, did a few shots that same day and has frozen the left over...when I hear back what she has to say I will report on it!
Needless to say, a little time and money has gone into this effort. The supplies and days spent doing this DOES add up - BUT - it is worth it! It makes my year so much more manageable to be able to be on a schedule I set! I am happy with it, and I can't wait to see who comes back open and who comes back bred! Watch for updates...more news to come!
Oh...what breeds will we be getting you ask? I bred saanens, nubians, and a few crosses....so we will see who comes back bred :)
An Ear Update :)
Tape came off a week or so ago and WOW! FULLY normal again :) Back like it should have been :)
So, remember, with those floppy eared goats, when the ear ain't right - TAPE IT! There's nothing a little duct tape can't fix ;)
Friday, May 24, 2013
Paperwork - Who Knew???
Oh yes, goats come with a LOT of paperwork LOL! Kinda like a birth certificate, a registered goat comes with papers that must be finalized and transferred into your name as the owner. I'm only familiar with a small handful of registries - though there are many out there for different breeds and types of goats. MDGA - the miniature dairy goat registry (just one of several out there - but by far the most popular I feel). Then there is ADGA - American Dairy Goat Association. Being a member of both each comes with it's benefits and down side....
Down side being you have to keep up with it haha! Remembering to renew your membership and pay your dues on time yearly - which is really not that much (usually less than $30) - but still...got to remember to do it! I'm usually pretty good about getting it done on time, last minute, but in before the deadline so to speak...
Benefits being a discounted fee for registrations and transfers of goats - which is NICE and hefty! It adds up sending stuff through as a non-member! With ADGA if you are NOT a member, just to register one doe kid (as bucks cost more than does) and transfer her into your name it is over $30!!!! Crazy right??? BUT....to do so as a member is less than $15 (and even cheaper if done online with a kid born into your herd!)....so if you are raising goats it's almost a given that being a member is nice and saves money in the long run!
Also, while any goat purchased outside of your herd has to be handled through the mail, you CAN register goats born into your herd online! SUPER easy, super fast, cheaper still with the online discount and did I mention how fast those papers come? Like in a week or 2! VERY nice!
I seriously recommend to anyone even with a handful of goats to become a member of the appropriate and corresponding association for their herd. Raising minis? Join MDGA...raising full sized breeds? Join ADGA...the money it saves over time is nice, the convenience of doing your registrations online is SUPER nice, and there are a few other little benefits for members here and there as well...Very much so worth a piddly sum of $30 yearly...in the grand scheme of life it's not much!
So...I FINALLY sent in the papers on TC and Ryz that have been kicking around here a while the other day and I JUST sent Darlenes - the new babies I did online and theirs have been done and final and in my hot little hands for a week now :) It really only takes a minute to fill things out and get them ready to go - I always make copies of EVERYTHING and I, being a member of ADGA, always pay ahead online so I don't even have to worry about that! But still...it does require REMEMBERING to do it LOL :) Been sidetracked several times along the way with getting TC and Ryz finished - so while I was on a roll I knocked out Darlene's as well!
Officially, EVERY goat in my herd is registered and done with for now! NEXT the saga of the yearly blood draws :( One other bit of paperwork as well....sure, it also has hands on outside work involved...BUT getting the forms and tubes labeled and ready is always a PITA haha! Nice to have a fresh, negative, CAE test back each year though! Really can't be beat as far as the awesome feeling that comes with it :)
Soooo...off to prep for a weekend at the market and then blood draws right behind it :) Also...your daily dose of cuteness from the girls:
Down side being you have to keep up with it haha! Remembering to renew your membership and pay your dues on time yearly - which is really not that much (usually less than $30) - but still...got to remember to do it! I'm usually pretty good about getting it done on time, last minute, but in before the deadline so to speak...
Benefits being a discounted fee for registrations and transfers of goats - which is NICE and hefty! It adds up sending stuff through as a non-member! With ADGA if you are NOT a member, just to register one doe kid (as bucks cost more than does) and transfer her into your name it is over $30!!!! Crazy right??? BUT....to do so as a member is less than $15 (and even cheaper if done online with a kid born into your herd!)....so if you are raising goats it's almost a given that being a member is nice and saves money in the long run!
Also, while any goat purchased outside of your herd has to be handled through the mail, you CAN register goats born into your herd online! SUPER easy, super fast, cheaper still with the online discount and did I mention how fast those papers come? Like in a week or 2! VERY nice!
I seriously recommend to anyone even with a handful of goats to become a member of the appropriate and corresponding association for their herd. Raising minis? Join MDGA...raising full sized breeds? Join ADGA...the money it saves over time is nice, the convenience of doing your registrations online is SUPER nice, and there are a few other little benefits for members here and there as well...Very much so worth a piddly sum of $30 yearly...in the grand scheme of life it's not much!
So...I FINALLY sent in the papers on TC and Ryz that have been kicking around here a while the other day and I JUST sent Darlenes - the new babies I did online and theirs have been done and final and in my hot little hands for a week now :) It really only takes a minute to fill things out and get them ready to go - I always make copies of EVERYTHING and I, being a member of ADGA, always pay ahead online so I don't even have to worry about that! But still...it does require REMEMBERING to do it LOL :) Been sidetracked several times along the way with getting TC and Ryz finished - so while I was on a roll I knocked out Darlene's as well!
Officially, EVERY goat in my herd is registered and done with for now! NEXT the saga of the yearly blood draws :( One other bit of paperwork as well....sure, it also has hands on outside work involved...BUT getting the forms and tubes labeled and ready is always a PITA haha! Nice to have a fresh, negative, CAE test back each year though! Really can't be beat as far as the awesome feeling that comes with it :)
Soooo...off to prep for a weekend at the market and then blood draws right behind it :) Also...your daily dose of cuteness from the girls:
Thursday, May 23, 2013
When the ear ain't right...TAPE IT!
See, what had happened was...one of the "new kids on the block" (Nugget to be exact) had one ear that just was NOT falling right! It wasn't popping into place over time, just not hanging and falling like the other one...
Now, over all this is really no big deal. I mean, she's a DAIRY goat - and you do NOT milk ears LOL :) But still....if the ear ain't right, out comes the duct tape!
Nugget got white duct tape in hopes her herd mates would notice it less and leave it be - so far it is working. Well, okay, the other goats are leaving it alone - we don't know yet if it is working to correct the ear. Probably should have gone after it sooner....but we were kinda hoping her head would grow into the base of that ear and it would fall....alas, no luck chuck on that.
Here is Nugget, in all her glory, with her ear freshly taped in place:
Looks like she has panties on her head doesn't it? She ACTED like we had wrapped her head in underwear of some sort - less than pleased and very undignified!
The kicker here - I did this with a freshly stung leg due to a wild wasp! Oh yes...I went out to do ONE LAST thing in the yard and BAM! Nasty bugger got me! So of course I came in angry as heck because it needed killing of course, and sent my husband out to handle it with a can of spray while we worked on the patient here...
For a mini - nubian of middle of the road generation she has LOVELY ears! Well, ONE lovely ear and one we are waiting on now haha! We will see....
See there how it just ain't quite right? A piece of cardboard wasn't really gonna cut it - the problem was getting that fold to squish flat AND against her head some....
So...now we wait...I'll post an update when we take the tape off - and YES I know how to tape stuff JUST right...I had a few prom type dressers that required I MYSELF was literally taped in when I was younger....trust me, I got the hang of it :P
Now, over all this is really no big deal. I mean, she's a DAIRY goat - and you do NOT milk ears LOL :) But still....if the ear ain't right, out comes the duct tape!
Nugget got white duct tape in hopes her herd mates would notice it less and leave it be - so far it is working. Well, okay, the other goats are leaving it alone - we don't know yet if it is working to correct the ear. Probably should have gone after it sooner....but we were kinda hoping her head would grow into the base of that ear and it would fall....alas, no luck chuck on that.
Here is Nugget, in all her glory, with her ear freshly taped in place:
The kicker here - I did this with a freshly stung leg due to a wild wasp! Oh yes...I went out to do ONE LAST thing in the yard and BAM! Nasty bugger got me! So of course I came in angry as heck because it needed killing of course, and sent my husband out to handle it with a can of spray while we worked on the patient here...
For a mini - nubian of middle of the road generation she has LOVELY ears! Well, ONE lovely ear and one we are waiting on now haha! We will see....
So...now we wait...I'll post an update when we take the tape off - and YES I know how to tape stuff JUST right...I had a few prom type dressers that required I MYSELF was literally taped in when I was younger....trust me, I got the hang of it :P
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
CIDRs and more rain :(
Yup - more rain. Seems to be we missed all the "April showers" but they showed up in time for May. Can't REALLY complain because rain = hay growing = good news around here right? Still...I'm not real excited about another soggy wet day...especially since I have CIDRs to get in place with 5 goats today! (ALL DONE NOW :) Started this before I headed out...anyways....)
CIDRs? What's that? Well, it's a Controlled Internal Drug Release of the hormone progesterone. Tricks the goats into coming into estrus, or heat, once it is removed. Like a tampon of sorts for goats, you can guess where they gotta go - oh yeah, I will be spending my morning at the back end of the girls...some I will be milking and SOME will be getting their CIDR...woo fun huh? (Really wasn't that bad and went pretty fast...except Willow...kicky thing that one...)
In 21 days, the five to be bred will get a shot of PG600, another hormone, to trick them into ovulating. See, not ALL goats come into estrus all year, and mine fall into that category for the most part...the CIDR helps to prep the body, the PG600 tells the ovaries NOW with the eggs ya'll! And then the buck is introduced to do his thing. I SHOULD God willing have kids born right at the first of November - a little earlier than last year - but thereby avoiding Christmas (which is a very busy and slightly colder month).
So...off to prep and then out I go...not the most exciting job, but a pretty exciting day when you realize I should be getting babies again in less than 6 months :)
NOTE: I am done and it wasn't all that bad haha! One extra kicky goat, but she always is with this kind of stuff...now we wait 3 weeks and then play the cheesy 70's adult film music because my bucks have a date with my does!
CIDRs? What's that? Well, it's a Controlled Internal Drug Release of the hormone progesterone. Tricks the goats into coming into estrus, or heat, once it is removed. Like a tampon of sorts for goats, you can guess where they gotta go - oh yeah, I will be spending my morning at the back end of the girls...some I will be milking and SOME will be getting their CIDR...woo fun huh? (Really wasn't that bad and went pretty fast...except Willow...kicky thing that one...)
In 21 days, the five to be bred will get a shot of PG600, another hormone, to trick them into ovulating. See, not ALL goats come into estrus all year, and mine fall into that category for the most part...the CIDR helps to prep the body, the PG600 tells the ovaries NOW with the eggs ya'll! And then the buck is introduced to do his thing. I SHOULD God willing have kids born right at the first of November - a little earlier than last year - but thereby avoiding Christmas (which is a very busy and slightly colder month).
So...off to prep and then out I go...not the most exciting job, but a pretty exciting day when you realize I should be getting babies again in less than 6 months :)
NOTE: I am done and it wasn't all that bad haha! One extra kicky goat, but she always is with this kind of stuff...now we wait 3 weeks and then play the cheesy 70's adult film music because my bucks have a date with my does!
Monday, May 13, 2013
A Tale of Two Udders
Well, not really a story, but LOOK AT THEM TEATS! Hahahaha...I just love saying that - it NEVER gets old!
First up, we have Lucy - lovely rear attachment, medial ligament could be a little stronger, but nice easy to manage teats, great orifice and steady stream when I milk and LOTS of milk - due to the power outage I haven't been tracking it precisely the last few days, but EASILY clearing the gallon as day mark! I shall weigh in the morning :)
The there is Pomegranate - with the udder that won't quit I swear! Took me FOREVER to get her dried up last year! Yes, the rear attachment could be a little stronger - but REALLY nice to milk! Buttery soft, good strong medial ligament, GREAT flow, and even more milk than Lucy and Pom is smaller than her!
And no - in real life she does not have one half all pink...I think I tweaked something funny on the camera on my phone...been getting odd, off photos the last day or two...but you get the general idea I believe :)
The best part is you really couldn't ask for better girls on the milk stand! Oh yes, absolutely sweet hearts, well behaved, no hobbles needed :) Actually, I haven't had to hobble a goat to milk in AGES! Everyone has been good as gold for me - which I LOVE!
Once again I have tons of milk - YAY! I had taken the other 3 girls down to once a day a few weeks ago so I myself could have a bit of a break - and while I was still getting plenty of milk, it's just not the same as having a TON of milk LOL :) I plan to keep milking Willow, Penelope, and Fajita once a day for a while longer - it's easier on them too you know? - and of course milk these 2 twice a day. But when every minute in your day counts you have to find a few for yourself here and there ya know? So, in order to have a bit more time in my mornings when I had all of the market/soap stuff going on pre-mothers day I cut out the a.m. milking with the 3 that were already in milk...it was nice to be able to feed in like 20 minutes in the mornings again for a while, I will admit....but now I am back to full swing mornings and that itself is nice too!
I also got 2 out of 3 "goat jails" cleaned today, a NEW FEEDER PIG came today (hooray for bacon in the fall!), and tomorrow I will be getting CIDRs in to the next round of goats to be bred! Yup, it's that time already! This is going to be a BUSY week! Actually, May is going to be a busy month :P Preparations for more goat breeding, with any luck FENCING BONANZA shall be taking place, and several soap classes are already scheduled :) Now if only that silly laundry would hurry up so I can go to bed - gotta get the hubby all packed up to be off in the morning again and I am waiting on the dryer tonight :(
Oh yes - stay tuned ya'll! Things should be picking up some on the farming front now that I have baby goats birthed and the last major "soap holiday" until Christmas out of the way!
First up, we have Lucy - lovely rear attachment, medial ligament could be a little stronger, but nice easy to manage teats, great orifice and steady stream when I milk and LOTS of milk - due to the power outage I haven't been tracking it precisely the last few days, but EASILY clearing the gallon as day mark! I shall weigh in the morning :)
The best part is you really couldn't ask for better girls on the milk stand! Oh yes, absolutely sweet hearts, well behaved, no hobbles needed :) Actually, I haven't had to hobble a goat to milk in AGES! Everyone has been good as gold for me - which I LOVE!
Once again I have tons of milk - YAY! I had taken the other 3 girls down to once a day a few weeks ago so I myself could have a bit of a break - and while I was still getting plenty of milk, it's just not the same as having a TON of milk LOL :) I plan to keep milking Willow, Penelope, and Fajita once a day for a while longer - it's easier on them too you know? - and of course milk these 2 twice a day. But when every minute in your day counts you have to find a few for yourself here and there ya know? So, in order to have a bit more time in my mornings when I had all of the market/soap stuff going on pre-mothers day I cut out the a.m. milking with the 3 that were already in milk...it was nice to be able to feed in like 20 minutes in the mornings again for a while, I will admit....but now I am back to full swing mornings and that itself is nice too!
I also got 2 out of 3 "goat jails" cleaned today, a NEW FEEDER PIG came today (hooray for bacon in the fall!), and tomorrow I will be getting CIDRs in to the next round of goats to be bred! Yup, it's that time already! This is going to be a BUSY week! Actually, May is going to be a busy month :P Preparations for more goat breeding, with any luck FENCING BONANZA shall be taking place, and several soap classes are already scheduled :) Now if only that silly laundry would hurry up so I can go to bed - gotta get the hubby all packed up to be off in the morning again and I am waiting on the dryer tonight :(
Oh yes - stay tuned ya'll! Things should be picking up some on the farming front now that I have baby goats birthed and the last major "soap holiday" until Christmas out of the way!
Sunday, May 12, 2013
NadaLottaRanch Diamond Bar has arrived!
She is a LOVELY pale gold color with white markings underneath - and did I mention how well built she is? So excited to get her too! Now we have until NOVEMBER before we get any more baby goats! Kinda nice to have a good long break though...babies are a TON of work!
NadaLottaRanch Dixie Chicken has arrived!
We got her disbudded this evening...she is of course a bottle baby....and she is actualyl a spunky, bossy thing! First doe kid of he year has arrived :)
Friday, May 3, 2013
I never set out to be a farmer...
What I was trying to do was "be self sufficient"....HAHA to that! I mean yeah, sure, I do a LOT of "homemade, handmade, DIY" type stuff. But I am far from "off grid" as they say. I wasn't even really going for off grid though. I just wanted to produce what I could "for us". And here I am....
I had a lovely day - visiting with soapy/goaty friends, waiting on baby goats (STILL not here) and you know...when I think about it... I am VERY glad I am a "farmer". Well...more of a goat breeder, soap maker and homesteader....but still...farmer is easier and shorter to type LOL :)
I get to work from home - in my "comfy clothes" mostly - and I like that (dressing up is fun once in a while, but for me at least it got old fast on a daily basis). I get to choose who my "customers, clients, associates" are and if people are sucky jerks I can tell them where to go - which is somewhere else. Usually I don't have that issue...but still, it's nice that it is an option! I get to do what I have grown to love - GOATS! Also, horses and other farm critters...but you get my drift...soap, cheese, milk and animals...it really is a passion for me. I get to connect with other people of a similar mindset - people that enjoy living simply and off of the land, people that are less concerned about the "popular" stuff but more worried about where their food comes from and getting by day to day without any high drama, and of course goat and soap people are just awesome haha! There's just so much I really enjoy about this new life we have slowly forged for ourselves and it all came on by accident.
I just wanted a few goats for milk for the house...and now I have fancy pants dairy goats and my milk travels all over the country in the form of bath and body products and soaps and lotions via the postal service...off to other showers in far away lands! I just wanted to be able to make a bowl of cereal without running to the store for a gallon of milk and NOW I have enough milk to make cheeses and yogurts AND the knowledge and skills to do so and it's always just out there in the yard waiting for me to go and get more of it. I love it - even if it was not what I intended.
Sure, some days are long and hard, some days I wonder what in the hell was I thinking??? But...when all is said and done, even if I didn't start out to be a farmer I am now and I LOVE IT!
I had a lovely day - visiting with soapy/goaty friends, waiting on baby goats (STILL not here) and you know...when I think about it... I am VERY glad I am a "farmer". Well...more of a goat breeder, soap maker and homesteader....but still...farmer is easier and shorter to type LOL :)
I get to work from home - in my "comfy clothes" mostly - and I like that (dressing up is fun once in a while, but for me at least it got old fast on a daily basis). I get to choose who my "customers, clients, associates" are and if people are sucky jerks I can tell them where to go - which is somewhere else. Usually I don't have that issue...but still, it's nice that it is an option! I get to do what I have grown to love - GOATS! Also, horses and other farm critters...but you get my drift...soap, cheese, milk and animals...it really is a passion for me. I get to connect with other people of a similar mindset - people that enjoy living simply and off of the land, people that are less concerned about the "popular" stuff but more worried about where their food comes from and getting by day to day without any high drama, and of course goat and soap people are just awesome haha! There's just so much I really enjoy about this new life we have slowly forged for ourselves and it all came on by accident.
I just wanted a few goats for milk for the house...and now I have fancy pants dairy goats and my milk travels all over the country in the form of bath and body products and soaps and lotions via the postal service...off to other showers in far away lands! I just wanted to be able to make a bowl of cereal without running to the store for a gallon of milk and NOW I have enough milk to make cheeses and yogurts AND the knowledge and skills to do so and it's always just out there in the yard waiting for me to go and get more of it. I love it - even if it was not what I intended.
Sure, some days are long and hard, some days I wonder what in the hell was I thinking??? But...when all is said and done, even if I didn't start out to be a farmer I am now and I LOVE IT!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Goat Midwifery 101
Alright - so I am not an "expert" (as in I have no formal college training) BUT I would say I have attended enough births of baby goats (and other critters and even a few people with some of my closer friends) that at this point I have a decent set of midwife skills under my belt. I'm confident, I am prepared and even if I wasn't I have baby goats due again any day so I don't have an option but to be ready!
Enter the "birthing kit" as pictured above.....the big green rubber maid tub has been sterilized and filled with pine shavings (just a few inches worth). Since we pull at birth and bottle raise all of our kids here following CAE prevention practices (even as a CAE negative herd it helps to keep up these practices "just in case"...adds a sense of security for buyers and my own soul) I need to have a place to put them as they are born. It keeps the kids in a clean spot until I can dip those umbilical cords in iodine, keeps them from getting stepped on by an anxious new mom, and makes it easy to carry them in to clean them up if I get more than one! Yes, a bucket full of babies is easier to cart around than several kids in my arms if I get more than one LOL! Plus if I am REALLY lucky they will stay put in there for the first 24 hours...making it easy to keep an eye on them and get that colostrum in them in small, frequent bottles - right by my side. Over protective much? Not me...noooo.....
Under that black deal but still inside my tub there is a box full of clean towels and "wee pads/doggy training pads". I use the disposable pads to place under my dams so I can catch as much as the "goop/juice" from birth as possible - makes it super easy to roll them up and toss them and VOILA clean pen post birth. It also provides a nice clean spot for the babies to land on and something to give them a quick rub down with to remove all the "ick" before I towel them off. LOVE that disposable stuff! Still...nothing is like a nice fluffy towel to get them REALLY clean and dried off...so I have those too :)
Then, on top of that is ALL the "bonus stuff" - CMPK, BoSe gel, iodine, something to dip umbilical cords with, lube, chlorexidine wash and spray, a scale to weigh kids with, a marker and pens for notes if I need to make any, just all sorts of stuff....made a video actually...it's easier to take about everything I keep on hand "just in case":
So I would say we are ready - any minute now...well, maybe not that soon, but with any luck before the weekend is over I will have baby goats running around again :) I'm almost giddy now waiting on them to get here!
Under that black deal but still inside my tub there is a box full of clean towels and "wee pads/doggy training pads". I use the disposable pads to place under my dams so I can catch as much as the "goop/juice" from birth as possible - makes it super easy to roll them up and toss them and VOILA clean pen post birth. It also provides a nice clean spot for the babies to land on and something to give them a quick rub down with to remove all the "ick" before I towel them off. LOVE that disposable stuff! Still...nothing is like a nice fluffy towel to get them REALLY clean and dried off...so I have those too :)
Then, on top of that is ALL the "bonus stuff" - CMPK, BoSe gel, iodine, something to dip umbilical cords with, lube, chlorexidine wash and spray, a scale to weigh kids with, a marker and pens for notes if I need to make any, just all sorts of stuff....made a video actually...it's easier to take about everything I keep on hand "just in case":
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