NUTRITION
WHOLE HERD – Our approach to the welfare of our animals is primarily holistic, meaning that we believe quality care and nutrition results in natural health and resiliency, with decreased needs for intervention. All of our goats are fed Umbarger Dairy Goat 16% feed. We like this feed because of its bioavailability and minimal filler ingredients. Our goats are also offered free-choice Sweetlix Meat Maker 16:8 Mineral, Fertrell Kelp Meal, and Kalmbach Opti-Ferm XL Yeast. The goats are routinely bolused with Ultra Cruz Goat Copper Boluses, given Bo-Se two times per year, and they also receive Replamin Plus Gel as needed. We feed the best quality second or third cutting alfalfa and grass hay that we are able to find locally. During the summer months they have both fresh water and water with BlueLite available at all times.
KIDS – All of our kids are bottle raised with CAE prevention in mind and are fed pastuerized milk with added Probios probiotics. At birth they receive heat treated colostrum (which is continued for their first 24 hours of life), First Defense Tri-Shield Gel, and Replamin Plus Gel. We practice coccidia prevention in their milk with Calf-Pro, and we mix a decoquinate pellet into their grain when we introduce it at one week of age. The kids are supplemented with the same minerals as their adult counterparts.
MEDICATIONS – Outside of the necessary coccidia prevention, all medications and vaccinations are given on a case by case basis, with each animal’s care and well-being in mind. We also do not give chemical dewormers routinely, preferring to regularly perform FAMANCHA on our goats and observe their body condition in order to only use them when necessary, which decreases the likelihood of parasite resistance in our herd. Other parts of our parasite prevention plan are pasture management and feeding Bioworma. During times of illness or stress due to kidding, weaning, and shows we feed DuraFight pellets to support our goats’ immune systems.
TESTING
We are ADGA Plus members, and participate in linear appraisal and milk testing. Our herd sires are DNA tested, as are some of our does. The goal is to eventually have DNA done for the majority of our herd.
Our herd is tested for CAE annually through DHI Co-op, and we are Johne’s and CL free.
If you have any questions about our herd or our management practices, please reach out through the Contact Us page.