Although you can use goat meat in place of beef or pork in your usual recipes, I don't really like to do that. When I eat chili, for example, I expect it to taste like pork. If it tastes like goat, I just don't like it. I greatly prefer recipes that come from parts of the world where people eat goat regularly. And it makes sense that they would have figured out which spices and … [Read more...]
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) in Goats
Fall is the perfect time to test your goats for CAE so that if any test positive, you will be able to remove the kids at birth in the spring. Not sure why you need to test? Check out this excerpt from the second edition of Raising Goats Naturally.Usually referred to as CAE, caprine arthritis encephalitis is caused by a retrovirus, and there is no cure. It is transmitted … [Read more...]
How To Compare Feed Labels
Recently, I received the following question from a reader ... You refer to labels often when evaluating a feed or mineral product. I am trying to learn to read labels also.... For example, while I know the letters "ppm" stands for "parts per million," I don't really know how much that equates to on a feed label! Some labels will indicate "Zinc, Min. 1.20%" and another label … [Read more...]
Keeping a Closed Flock or Herd
Even though I've had chickens since 2002, I really don't feel like I know much about sick chickens. We had them for more than a dozen years before it took more than one hand to be able to count the number that had not died as someone's dinner -- either ours or a predator's. The main reason our chickens -- and turkeys, ducks, and geese -- are all so healthy is because I've only … [Read more...]
Johne’s Disease in Goats
The possibility of bringing Johne’s onto your farm is one reason you should not buy goats from the sale barn. Although Johne’s is rare in goats, it also infects cattle and sheep, which means that a goat that was healthy when it arrived at the sale barn could pick up the disease while there. Although Johne’s is just one of many diseases that an animal could pick up at a sale … [Read more...]
Feeding Goats for Fertility
“Flushing” is the practice of feeding does more than usual for a month prior to breeding with the idea that it will increase their fertility. This is a very old practice, and the idea behind it is a good one. Of course, you want your doe to be in top condition prior to breeding. She is more likely to get pregnant and stay pregnant. However, for most people, flushing translates … [Read more...]
Respiratory Conditions in Goats
When a goat has a runny nose or cough, people often assume it has a respiratory infection or lungworms. But those symptoms could be caused by something as simple as dust from hay or living on a gravel road. Ammonia buildup in a barn, as well as smoke or exhaust from machinery, can also cause coughing and runny noses.Treating respiratory issues caused by environmental … [Read more...]
7 Things You Need for Milking Goats
You will need the following items whether you will be milking by hand or with a machine. All of these things can be purchased through goat supply companies, but in some cases you can make your own or come up with creative substitutes that cost less. Milk Stand Don’t skip this one! Someone once bought a perfectly trained milk goat from me and then complained that she was … [Read more...]
Milk and meat withdrawal in goats following drug use
Nothing ever dies on the Internet, and nowhere is this more true and more dangerous than when it comes to drug use in goats and other livestock. Because most livestock are food producing animals, this is far more important than getting drug use right in dogs and cats. One reason I raise my own food is because I don't want to consume drug residue in meat and milk. It would be … [Read more...]
What’s So Great About Nigerian Dwarf Goats?
We started raising Nigerian dwarf goats in 2002. I was familiar with the conservation list of the Livestock Conservancy, and I wanted all of our animals to come from that list because I wanted to help preserve rare breeds. The Nigerian and Oberhasli were the only two dairy goats on the list, so I didn't have much to choose from. I can't honestly say I remember all of my … [Read more...]
