|
We feel that herd
health and kid care are the foundation of the success of
your entire program. We do not claim to be a CAE free
herd, but we take every precaution to avoid the
possibilities.
At birth, the kids are
taken to a heated nursery and fed heat-treated colostrum
and then pasteurized milk. Our kids are fed colostrum
for the first twenty-four hours. We feed them as much as
they will eat three to four times a day. Then, they are
moved to the lambar, and are fed twice daily. All kids
are allowed to eat as much milk as desired at each
feeding. Kids are moved to large stalls with outside
running pens when starting the twice a day feedings.
Kids are given orally 2
cc of Bar Guard 99 at birth. They receive a tetanus and
Bo-Se injection at two days old. We disbud kids at one
week of age. We administer CD&T at four, seven and ten
weeks of age.
Our mature does receive
annual boosters for CD&T as well as Bo-Se. They have
free choice Golden Blend minerals and quality first to
fourth cutting alfalfa and alfalfa mix hay. The does are
fed beet pulp once a day as a treat. They have fresh
water available from water fountains in the loafing
barn. Also, they have plenty of pasture and wooded area
for exercise and foraging.
Our bucks are kept with
the same schedule as the does and are housed in outside
pens next to the barns in summer. They are inside the
main barn during the winter. We try to run them in pairs
or groups if everyone will behave.
We do not have the
typical guard dogs as most goat breeders. We have Lassie
Collies with our herd. They seem to work the best with
our family and goat needs. They are very caring and
protective of the herd. They are in charge of the safety
of the herd and keeping the coyotes on the other side of
the fence. |
