This is a blog about learning to run a Nigerian dwarf dairy goat farm. Join me as I travel down the road of new beginnings.
Showing posts with label Goat Care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Goat Care. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
New Way to Offer Pat Coleby's Minerals
Free Choice Minerals
I have been an avid follower of Pat Coleby's methods of raising livestock. I purchased her book 'Natural Goat Care" in 2007 and have been following natural alternatives for taking care of my animals since. In her book she suggests making a stock lick, which is loose minerals all mixed up and feeding it to your livestock by top dressing it to their feed. As time went on I had learned that she had changed the way she was using the minerals. To my relief and to all those who have large herds, this new way is more more efficient and 100% easier.
Instead of mixing the minerals together by certain amounts, and feeding each animal a certain amount in their feed, you put the minerals in single containers and feed them all free choice. She also has added straight lime, as well as salt. The list of minerals needed are,
1. Copper Sulfate
2. Yellow Dusting Sulfur
3. Dolomite or Min-Ad
4. Sea Kelp
5. Straight Lime
6. Salt
7. Baking Soda (Not recommended in Pat Colby's book, but I chose to always have it available for all livestock)
If boron would be needed, she still suggests feeding the proper amount required for each animal individually. Also, you must always keep dolomite out anytime you have Copper sulfate out. I just always make sure each container is full and top dress them when they need it.
Proven Results
I have been following this method of giving the minerals free choice for 4 years now, and my goats have never been healthier. The very first time that I put them all out free choice in their own containers, I was so afraid that I was going to kill my herd and they would all keel over dead from copper poisoning. Well to my surprise none have and I am so convinced this is the best way to offer minerals that I tell everyone I can. My animals health is the most important thing to me and this way of caring for them has kept my herd from all sicknesses and diseases.
They also have had no worms to speak of going on seven years now. Each fecal test comes up negative. I am 100% convinced in Pat Coleby's methods simply because of the proof in my herd.
Cheap way to make mineral feeders
I am very resourceful and try to make use of things. Instead of running out and buying mineral containers, I decided to use old coffee cans, cut the fronts down and screwed them all to the wall in a straight line. These coffee can mineral feeders work great for goats and horses.
I have been an avid follower of Pat Coleby's methods of raising livestock. I purchased her book 'Natural Goat Care" in 2007 and have been following natural alternatives for taking care of my animals since. In her book she suggests making a stock lick, which is loose minerals all mixed up and feeding it to your livestock by top dressing it to their feed. As time went on I had learned that she had changed the way she was using the minerals. To my relief and to all those who have large herds, this new way is more more efficient and 100% easier.
Instead of mixing the minerals together by certain amounts, and feeding each animal a certain amount in their feed, you put the minerals in single containers and feed them all free choice. She also has added straight lime, as well as salt. The list of minerals needed are,
1. Copper Sulfate
2. Yellow Dusting Sulfur
3. Dolomite or Min-Ad
4. Sea Kelp
5. Straight Lime
6. Salt
7. Baking Soda (Not recommended in Pat Colby's book, but I chose to always have it available for all livestock)
If boron would be needed, she still suggests feeding the proper amount required for each animal individually. Also, you must always keep dolomite out anytime you have Copper sulfate out. I just always make sure each container is full and top dress them when they need it.
Proven Results
I have been following this method of giving the minerals free choice for 4 years now, and my goats have never been healthier. The very first time that I put them all out free choice in their own containers, I was so afraid that I was going to kill my herd and they would all keel over dead from copper poisoning. Well to my surprise none have and I am so convinced this is the best way to offer minerals that I tell everyone I can. My animals health is the most important thing to me and this way of caring for them has kept my herd from all sicknesses and diseases.
They also have had no worms to speak of going on seven years now. Each fecal test comes up negative. I am 100% convinced in Pat Coleby's methods simply because of the proof in my herd.
Cheap way to make mineral feeders
I am very resourceful and try to make use of things. Instead of running out and buying mineral containers, I decided to use old coffee cans, cut the fronts down and screwed them all to the wall in a straight line. These coffee can mineral feeders work great for goats and horses.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Pat Coleby's Methods Part # 2
While writing the articles on Pat Coleby's methods I realized that many of you have problems finding all of the minerals that Pat Coleby recommends. If there is enough people wanting her minerals then I will start selling them. My prices will be cheaper than the Jolly German so If you would like information on the minerals then please contact me.
In this article I am going to explain in detail how I care for and feed my goats. The lick recipe that was spoken of in the first article is kept in a small bucket with a lid, each day I take 14 bowls and I feed each and every goat I own, whether they are does, wethers, or bucks 1/4Th cup of grain daily. I put 1/4TH cup in each bowl then I add 1/4TH heaping teaspoon of Pat Coleby's Lick Recipe on top of the feed mix. She suggests 2 grams a day of the lick recipe and 2 grams equals about 1/4TH of a teaspoon but I give just a little bit more so I heap it. I then put 1 TBS. of oil, (flax seed, coconut, Canola, Olive, what ever I have at the time) on top of the grain mix and mix it all together. I only add the oil to get it mixed in good to the feed. I also bought a huge jug of Black Strap Molasses and filled and empty mustard container up with the molasses and I squirt a little in each bowl just for stickiness and taste. I also add less than a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar.
Every week on Monday's Instead of the other oils, I use Cod Liver oil. Pat Coleby recommends this oil in her book: Natural Goat Care. This is so they receive the proper amounts of Vitamin A, D and essential fatty acids EPA and DHA. I also give Apple Cider Vinegar added to their water twice a day. (Not the kind sold in grocery stores). I use to buy the organic kind online from Swanson's Vitamins www.SwansonVitamins.com. Their prices are extremely reasonable, but as much as I used and adding shipping, it was not cost affective. I searched online for ways to make homemade Apple Cider Vinegar and found a site that I highly recommend. This site has excellent pictures and really good information on goat care, recipes and other things. Check it out sometime, http://lindercroft-smwon.blogspot.com/search/label/homemade%20ACV.
In feeding hay I feed every goat Alfalfa hay twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, my husband takes care of this chore. We also water once in the morning and again at night and this is daily. In the winter time or on cold days they all receive hot water. They love hot water and I know they all appreciate it. Each barn also has baking soda, sea kelp, and a salt block, out for the goats at all times free choice.
When I am milking the girls get three cups of feed each day morning and night. I always start them out with a half cup each and slowly increase this dose to where by the time they kid they are getting the right amount. Some goats will not need this much others may need more depending on their body condition and how many kids they are feeding with their milk. It also depends on the amount of milk they are producing. I have never given any of my girls more than three cups at a time. I raise Nigerian Dwarf Goats and they have done great on this amount. Our goats also get to roam our woods freely on a daily basis. We have nothing but woods all around us so there is always plenty of browse for them to forage for.
Once in a while they will get treats of vegetables, fruit and raisins. I have a juicer and the pulp of the vegetables and fruit make great treats for them. When giving raisins they only get four each. With the fruit and vegetable pulp they each get a couple tablespoon fulls. You want to be very careful in giving your goats new things and how much you feed them. Goats rumens can get severely off track if given too much of a new thing all at once. I have one goat who loves to drink coffee so once in a while she will get a cup of coffee all to herself to drink lol. It is the funniest thing to watch her. She will literally climb all over you if she smells you have a cup of coffee. She is the only one who likes coffee.
I believe I have written on everything that I do for our goats as far as feeding goes. If there is any subject on caring for goats or making goats milk soap that you would like me to write on then please leave a post or contact me by email. If there are still questions or anything is unclear then please contact me and I will try to clarify or help in any way I can.
In this article I am going to explain in detail how I care for and feed my goats. The lick recipe that was spoken of in the first article is kept in a small bucket with a lid, each day I take 14 bowls and I feed each and every goat I own, whether they are does, wethers, or bucks 1/4Th cup of grain daily. I put 1/4TH cup in each bowl then I add 1/4TH heaping teaspoon of Pat Coleby's Lick Recipe on top of the feed mix. She suggests 2 grams a day of the lick recipe and 2 grams equals about 1/4TH of a teaspoon but I give just a little bit more so I heap it. I then put 1 TBS. of oil, (flax seed, coconut, Canola, Olive, what ever I have at the time) on top of the grain mix and mix it all together. I only add the oil to get it mixed in good to the feed. I also bought a huge jug of Black Strap Molasses and filled and empty mustard container up with the molasses and I squirt a little in each bowl just for stickiness and taste. I also add less than a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar.
Every week on Monday's Instead of the other oils, I use Cod Liver oil. Pat Coleby recommends this oil in her book: Natural Goat Care. This is so they receive the proper amounts of Vitamin A, D and essential fatty acids EPA and DHA. I also give Apple Cider Vinegar added to their water twice a day. (Not the kind sold in grocery stores). I use to buy the organic kind online from Swanson's Vitamins www.SwansonVitamins.com. Their prices are extremely reasonable, but as much as I used and adding shipping, it was not cost affective. I searched online for ways to make homemade Apple Cider Vinegar and found a site that I highly recommend. This site has excellent pictures and really good information on goat care, recipes and other things. Check it out sometime, http://lindercroft-smwon.blogspot.com/search/label/homemade%20ACV.
In feeding hay I feed every goat Alfalfa hay twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening, my husband takes care of this chore. We also water once in the morning and again at night and this is daily. In the winter time or on cold days they all receive hot water. They love hot water and I know they all appreciate it. Each barn also has baking soda, sea kelp, and a salt block, out for the goats at all times free choice.
When I am milking the girls get three cups of feed each day morning and night. I always start them out with a half cup each and slowly increase this dose to where by the time they kid they are getting the right amount. Some goats will not need this much others may need more depending on their body condition and how many kids they are feeding with their milk. It also depends on the amount of milk they are producing. I have never given any of my girls more than three cups at a time. I raise Nigerian Dwarf Goats and they have done great on this amount. Our goats also get to roam our woods freely on a daily basis. We have nothing but woods all around us so there is always plenty of browse for them to forage for.
Once in a while they will get treats of vegetables, fruit and raisins. I have a juicer and the pulp of the vegetables and fruit make great treats for them. When giving raisins they only get four each. With the fruit and vegetable pulp they each get a couple tablespoon fulls. You want to be very careful in giving your goats new things and how much you feed them. Goats rumens can get severely off track if given too much of a new thing all at once. I have one goat who loves to drink coffee so once in a while she will get a cup of coffee all to herself to drink lol. It is the funniest thing to watch her. She will literally climb all over you if she smells you have a cup of coffee. She is the only one who likes coffee.
I believe I have written on everything that I do for our goats as far as feeding goes. If there is any subject on caring for goats or making goats milk soap that you would like me to write on then please leave a post or contact me by email. If there are still questions or anything is unclear then please contact me and I will try to clarify or help in any way I can.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Pat Coleby's Methods Part #1
Pat Coleby's Methods
I have had numerous emails from people about caring for my goats using Pat Coleby's Methods. I belong to a lot of Yahoo Groups and on these groups natural goat care and Pat Coleby's methods come up a lot. I hear a lot of bad comments on her methods. I hear time and time again how she is not from the USA but Australia so her methods could not possibly work here in the US. I also hear others even veterinarians who say her methods will kill your goats. Then others who say they have tried her methods and experienced horrible results.
I am writing this to help anyone looking to care for their goats naturally as her methods suggest. I also am writing this for there is very little information out there on caring for your goats Pat Coleby's way. I went hunting and searching for information and help. I looked in groups, forums, any place I could find that would have any information on raising my goats by her methods. I found very little information and no one out there who successfully could tell me how to care for my goats as she suggested. I do think that her books need to be revised for those of us in the USA. She mentions feed and other things by different names than we call them here in the states. Some of the things she suggests are also not readily available here. I believe If someone would rewrite her book for those of us living in the USA it would be a huge success. Her book even though extremely valuable needs to be read and reread over and over to learn all their is to goat care. It was not easy to follow and interpreting her methods and words to fit what we have here was a real learning curve.
The other problem I had was to find where to get all the minerals and feed she recommends. That in itself was a learning process and took a lot of research and learning. I am going to explain how I care for my herd and how I try to incorporate all of her methods. I believe the bottom line should be that each person has to find what works not only for their goats but also for them. Raising goats is a lot of work and no matter which route you take. It is costly, both with time and financially. I have found raising goats to be one of the most rewarding experiences and they are a pure joy to have.
In my methods I do not use any chemicals, antibiotics or synthetic medicine unless I absolutely have to. I do believe in modern medicine and it does have its place, but I do believe as Pat Coleby states, if your goats are fed properly and they are getting the right minerals then your goats should always be healthy. So far in the four years I have had goats I have found this to be true.
What I feed my Goats
In Pat Coleby's book she suggests feed that in my area I could not find or it was not available. For me I did not want to feed my goats anything that was all ready premixed, or anything that had variables that could harm my goats or their health. I looked up all the feed choices that were available in my area and investigated what they were and their nutritional content. I do not use distillers grain, corn or roasted soybeans because of their nutritional value and how it can vary. I choose not to use any of these in my grain mix. My feed mixture is:
50 lbs. Oats
50 lbs. Barley
25 lbs. Alfalfa Pellets
8 lbs. 3 oz. Wheat Bran or Beet pulp (do not use Wheat Midds, they end up at the bottom of the pan as dust and the goats hate it)
3 lbs. 3 oz. Black Oiled Sunflower seeds (BOSS)
5.3 oz Diamond V Yeast
The protein content is between 13% to 13.5%
I buy all of this at our local grain elevators and mix it up myself then store it in trash cans with lids. The grain elevators will only mix it up for me if I buy in huge quantities and my herd is not big enough yet for that. I also buy Redman's Salt. I use to leave this out for them free choice but now I just add a little in to their grain mix. They waisted it when I left it out for them.
Here is my Lick Recipe:
5 lbs. Dolomite ( can use Min-Ad)
12.8 oz. Yellow Sulfur
12.8 oz. Copper Sulfate
12.8 oz. Sea Kelp (Thorvin Kelp same thing)
I purchase all of these things at our local grain elevators. I use different grain elevators because not all of then will work in small amounts or have exactly what I need. Luckily I live in a huge farming industry so for me all of these supplies are easy to get. For those who do not have grain elevators, I would suggest researching online, going to Walmart, garden centers, look in the garden dept for the sulfur. It is used for roses, farm stores or any where that sells feed for livestock or chemicals for lawns. It is much cheaper when you can buy these at these places. If you look hard enough and do research you will find a lot of places sell these. You can also try horse feed stores. If you can not find all of the supplies you need locally you can order online from different chemical companies or other places. I know the Jolly German ( http://www.jollygerman.com/products/goats/) carries all of these minerals but their prices in my opinion are highway robbery. If I had to buy all my supplies from them I could not afford to care for my goats as I do. I use to order my Dolomite and Sea Kelp from Hoeggers Goat Supply (http://hoeggergoatsupply.com/xcart/home.php) While looking for Yellow Sulfur and Copper Sulfate, I did find several chemical stores online that sell it. http://www.dudadiesel.com/search.php?query=sulfur&affiliate_pro_tracking_id=17:31:, http://scienceforyou.net/pyrotechnic-supplies/pyrotechnic-chemicals/sulfur-elemental-sulfur.html , http://www.nextag.com/copper-sulfate/stores-html , I also found some of the things online at pottery stores. They use Dolomite for clays.
In my next article I write I will tell you exactly how I feed and care for my goats as I try to implement Pat Coleby's Methods.
I have had numerous emails from people about caring for my goats using Pat Coleby's Methods. I belong to a lot of Yahoo Groups and on these groups natural goat care and Pat Coleby's methods come up a lot. I hear a lot of bad comments on her methods. I hear time and time again how she is not from the USA but Australia so her methods could not possibly work here in the US. I also hear others even veterinarians who say her methods will kill your goats. Then others who say they have tried her methods and experienced horrible results.
I am writing this to help anyone looking to care for their goats naturally as her methods suggest. I also am writing this for there is very little information out there on caring for your goats Pat Coleby's way. I went hunting and searching for information and help. I looked in groups, forums, any place I could find that would have any information on raising my goats by her methods. I found very little information and no one out there who successfully could tell me how to care for my goats as she suggested. I do think that her books need to be revised for those of us in the USA. She mentions feed and other things by different names than we call them here in the states. Some of the things she suggests are also not readily available here. I believe If someone would rewrite her book for those of us living in the USA it would be a huge success. Her book even though extremely valuable needs to be read and reread over and over to learn all their is to goat care. It was not easy to follow and interpreting her methods and words to fit what we have here was a real learning curve.
The other problem I had was to find where to get all the minerals and feed she recommends. That in itself was a learning process and took a lot of research and learning. I am going to explain how I care for my herd and how I try to incorporate all of her methods. I believe the bottom line should be that each person has to find what works not only for their goats but also for them. Raising goats is a lot of work and no matter which route you take. It is costly, both with time and financially. I have found raising goats to be one of the most rewarding experiences and they are a pure joy to have.
In my methods I do not use any chemicals, antibiotics or synthetic medicine unless I absolutely have to. I do believe in modern medicine and it does have its place, but I do believe as Pat Coleby states, if your goats are fed properly and they are getting the right minerals then your goats should always be healthy. So far in the four years I have had goats I have found this to be true.
What I feed my Goats
In Pat Coleby's book she suggests feed that in my area I could not find or it was not available. For me I did not want to feed my goats anything that was all ready premixed, or anything that had variables that could harm my goats or their health. I looked up all the feed choices that were available in my area and investigated what they were and their nutritional content. I do not use distillers grain, corn or roasted soybeans because of their nutritional value and how it can vary. I choose not to use any of these in my grain mix. My feed mixture is:
50 lbs. Oats
50 lbs. Barley
25 lbs. Alfalfa Pellets
8 lbs. 3 oz. Wheat Bran or Beet pulp (do not use Wheat Midds, they end up at the bottom of the pan as dust and the goats hate it)
3 lbs. 3 oz. Black Oiled Sunflower seeds (BOSS)
5.3 oz Diamond V Yeast
The protein content is between 13% to 13.5%
I buy all of this at our local grain elevators and mix it up myself then store it in trash cans with lids. The grain elevators will only mix it up for me if I buy in huge quantities and my herd is not big enough yet for that. I also buy Redman's Salt. I use to leave this out for them free choice but now I just add a little in to their grain mix. They waisted it when I left it out for them.
Here is my Lick Recipe:
5 lbs. Dolomite ( can use Min-Ad)
12.8 oz. Yellow Sulfur
12.8 oz. Copper Sulfate
12.8 oz. Sea Kelp (Thorvin Kelp same thing)
I purchase all of these things at our local grain elevators. I use different grain elevators because not all of then will work in small amounts or have exactly what I need. Luckily I live in a huge farming industry so for me all of these supplies are easy to get. For those who do not have grain elevators, I would suggest researching online, going to Walmart, garden centers, look in the garden dept for the sulfur. It is used for roses, farm stores or any where that sells feed for livestock or chemicals for lawns. It is much cheaper when you can buy these at these places. If you look hard enough and do research you will find a lot of places sell these. You can also try horse feed stores. If you can not find all of the supplies you need locally you can order online from different chemical companies or other places. I know the Jolly German ( http://www.jollygerman.com/products/goats/) carries all of these minerals but their prices in my opinion are highway robbery. If I had to buy all my supplies from them I could not afford to care for my goats as I do. I use to order my Dolomite and Sea Kelp from Hoeggers Goat Supply (http://hoeggergoatsupply.com/xcart/home.php) While looking for Yellow Sulfur and Copper Sulfate, I did find several chemical stores online that sell it. http://www.dudadiesel.com/search.php?query=sulfur&affiliate_pro_tracking_id=17:31:, http://scienceforyou.net/pyrotechnic-supplies/pyrotechnic-chemicals/sulfur-elemental-sulfur.html , http://www.nextag.com/copper-sulfate/stores-html , I also found some of the things online at pottery stores. They use Dolomite for clays.
In my next article I write I will tell you exactly how I feed and care for my goats as I try to implement Pat Coleby's Methods.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
How to Buy A Goat Questionnaire
On my journey to find a Nigerian Goat, I came across some very good and qualified breeders. Not all breeders of goats attain the standards of herdsmanship that I feel are important. I actually wrote a Goat Questionnaire, which I will share with all of you.
I will go into detail on how to buy a goat. Many new goat enthusiasts do not know what to look for or what to ask, when purchasing a goat.
The very first thing in determining your search for a goat, is to know why you are getting a goat. What will be the main function of the goat? Will it be for clearing brush, as pack animals, to eat, to use their fiber, for milking, taking them to shows or just as a pet. All of these factors are important in the breed and quality of animal you are looking for. As I found out, a goat is not just a goat…
Once you know the reasons for wanting a goat, determining the breed will be a lot easier. What I want to focus on is what to look for and ask when buying a goat. Below is a questionnaire that I wrote up. It has most of your basic questions, i found useful when i was looking to buy my first goats.
Buying a Goat Questionnaire
1. Are your baby goats bottle-fed or dam raised?
2. Has your herd been tested for CAE, Johnnes, TB, Brucellosis, and CL? If so, can I see the test results?
3. Are they disbudded?
4. Do you give vaccines? If not why?
5. Are they wormed and checked for worms on a regular basis?
6. Do you have health certificates and health records for all of your goats that you sell?
7. Do any of your goats get Bo-Se Injections?
8. Are the goats registered with the AGS, NDGA or ADGA?
9. Are the goats purebreds?
10. Are they tattooed already? If not are you willing to explain to me how to do this properly?
11. Do you have the original registration papers for any goats that you are selling me?
12. Do you have bill of sales and a transfer slip for all goats?
13. Are there any noticeable or not so noticeable disfiguring defects or abnormalities?
14. When the goat was born was there any complications before, during or after delivery?
15. Has the mother had multiple births.
16. What vet do you use? In addition, would he give you a positive reference?
17. Are you willing to show me what your herd eats, and how to mix the feed for proper nutrition?
18. If I have any problems or have any questions, can I call you after I purchase a goat from you?
This sums up the goat questionnaire. I know to some this may seem extreme or very extensive but when buying any animal I feel you should be as thorough as possible.
I will go into detail on how to buy a goat. Many new goat enthusiasts do not know what to look for or what to ask, when purchasing a goat.
The very first thing in determining your search for a goat, is to know why you are getting a goat. What will be the main function of the goat? Will it be for clearing brush, as pack animals, to eat, to use their fiber, for milking, taking them to shows or just as a pet. All of these factors are important in the breed and quality of animal you are looking for. As I found out, a goat is not just a goat…
Once you know the reasons for wanting a goat, determining the breed will be a lot easier. What I want to focus on is what to look for and ask when buying a goat. Below is a questionnaire that I wrote up. It has most of your basic questions, i found useful when i was looking to buy my first goats.
Buying a Goat Questionnaire
1. Are your baby goats bottle-fed or dam raised?
2. Has your herd been tested for CAE, Johnnes, TB, Brucellosis, and CL? If so, can I see the test results?
3. Are they disbudded?
4. Do you give vaccines? If not why?
5. Are they wormed and checked for worms on a regular basis?
6. Do you have health certificates and health records for all of your goats that you sell?
7. Do any of your goats get Bo-Se Injections?
8. Are the goats registered with the AGS, NDGA or ADGA?
9. Are the goats purebreds?
10. Are they tattooed already? If not are you willing to explain to me how to do this properly?
11. Do you have the original registration papers for any goats that you are selling me?
12. Do you have bill of sales and a transfer slip for all goats?
13. Are there any noticeable or not so noticeable disfiguring defects or abnormalities?
14. When the goat was born was there any complications before, during or after delivery?
15. Has the mother had multiple births.
16. What vet do you use? In addition, would he give you a positive reference?
17. Are you willing to show me what your herd eats, and how to mix the feed for proper nutrition?
18. If I have any problems or have any questions, can I call you after I purchase a goat from you?
This sums up the goat questionnaire. I know to some this may seem extreme or very extensive but when buying any animal I feel you should be as thorough as possible.
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