jasmerr I'm brand new. My girls will get picked up next week Tuesday. I've been doing tons of reading in preparation for this.
MollyD
LaMancha Milk Goats
i've been wanting goats since about the time i was wanting chickens. seemed the two things i needed to go with my garden [which is by the wayside due to injury, baby and time consuming goats and chickens]
2003 i guess?
we just got our Nubian kids as babies last June. now for the real test, if my hands can hold up to milking one goat twice a day...
I've wanted them as far back as I can remember but conditions were never right till now.
MollyD
Tamara, if you want to get your hands into shape, get a tennis ball or one of those stress balls. While watching tv you can just squeeze the ball to get your hands and forearms into shape for milking.
thanks! i also have those chinese balls somewhere i used to use all the time. got to get busy with it!
Tf just talked to the seller and getting the goats will have to wait. Seems sore mouth has shown up at his goat farm and he suggested I wait till they were over it. He says it's one of those illness that once they have it they won't get again. So it will be another 20 days or so before we know if all is well. I'm using the same vet he is so she's in the loop as to what is going on with them.
MollyD
glad to know about this. thankfully you don't have to deal with it. now get to work on that fence girl!
Yes mam! (smart salute) LOL. I've got to get Paul to haul a gate that is doing nothing down the trail. it's one of those large metal things. I'll have to add a cattlepanel to it to keep the babies inside!
MollyD
Had to check on my dehydrator co-op, so I thought I'd duck in here, too.
Molly - sorry to hear you have to wait on those goats, but this way you won't have to deal with 'doctoring' them as soon as you get them; probably wouldn't be much fun
Thanks jasmerr. That's how I saw it. He was very concerned that a sick goat not leave his farm. He felt his reputation for selling healthy goats was on the line and I had to applaud him for his attitude.
MollyD
Good man to buy from.
Yes indeed! I feel very lucky to have been steered in his direction. Right now he's trying to find a AI place for me so I won't have to get a buck. He knows a man who was traveling around the state with a special truck loaded with semen. He would stop at different places fertilizing does. By getting all my girls on the same breeding schedule I could have him here in December so they're all bred at the same time and kidding at the same time. Keeps the 'herd' on one schedule which is easier on me and I can have them done by different males which brings in diversity.
MollyD
Does he supply papers w/ the AI? I've never used AI so I don't know how that works. I'm not sure if you're getting registered does? I know in my area the registered kids go for more money even if they're registered as 'experiemental".
Not having a buck on the premises you won't have to worry about the wonderful smell they emit!! I always kept a glove handy to give my boys a rub so I wouldn't pick up the smell on my hand. However, just being around them your clothes pick up the smell very quickly!
They give you a semen certificate which lets you register them. That, of course, cost extra. Same as they do for cattle done with AI.
Yes both my does are registered. One is a daughter of Designer 19 and the other is a Clancy kid.
A buck was not something I was looking forward to!! Yesterday I spoke with Jim (the seller) and he said he keeps sacrificial does in with his males all the time. Seems to keep them happy. I wonder if that's why his place doesn't reek in spite of the many males there?
MollyD
Maybe. I know mine had a slight smell all the time and whenever a doe was coming into heat it would get Very whiffy!! Could always tell which way the wind was blowing! I'm sure they enjoy having the girls around them all the time.
Thanks for the info on the certificates-good to know. Are they registered to the Boer Assoc or The Dairy goat? Just curious. I'm not too familiar w/ the Boer goat assoc. When you register as a member of the ADGA they send you a farm id number and you also get to name your farm(fun!). They list you in the Member directory. This is a great resource as you can see the other farms that have the same breeds as you have. Many list stud service too.
He told me but I've forgotten where they're registered. He shows goats too. His farm name is C J Hill Boer Goat Farm.
MollyD
nice to catch up on goat happenings. my new girl is two years old and this is her first try at milking. so we are doing the practice for me and the training for her, and trying to build up her supply. she didn't fit well with the dairy lady, and got by with some bad behavior, so i stay pretty worn out, but i think Brnadywine ic coming around!
have pics, maybe tomorrow. past my new bed time LOL
tf
tf does she like that extra grain you are giving her when you are milking her? Maybe an apple will make her hold still?
MollyD
seh is doing so much better now. DH helped twice yesterday, and when she goes to kicking he can hold on better than the boys... so i milked her by myself last night. she was a bit of a porblme, but manageable. she got mad when she spilled her grain bucket. Sam came out this morning and held her head and her grain bucket, and she did really well. she still doesn't graze, barely munches on the sudan and the alfalfa. and really wants to be with the other goats.
i took a few pictures. except for biting me once last night after spilling her grain, she is a sweety who really wants affection. so we give her frequesnt breaks during milking, let her stand and rest and be petted. as long as she doens't try to get out of the milking stall till we are done. she is doing well enough now we will add brushing her to the routine.
this afternoon i will be clearing the garden strip for corn. nothing has been planted there for two years, since the neighbor was contesting the property line, and it is a mess. i hope Brandywine enjoys a little outing over there...
that cold wind really zapped me, so i'll rest till it warms up...
how can you not love this face?
I used to use a goat hobble on one of my goats who insisted on kicking up her back legs while millking.
What a cutie!!
we are going to be using a hobble i think. she has a small appetite, and when she is done she wants to quit milking...
i have cut back to twice a day, and hope that her milk supply doesn't drop anymore. her mother was a 2 gallon a day-er, but as it turns out, had similar "attitude problems". i don't think she has a bad attitude, just doesn't clearly understand what is expected of her. and now she is learning.
i noticed last night that the udder closer to me kept putting out for twice as many times as the other, since i dedcied to start counting [sometimes i have to hold the gucket with one hand, or a leg, and milk with the other, so it takes a while doing one teat at a time...]
is that normal? or should i always start with the other side first?
Can't say that I've really noticed. I've had one side milk a bit easier than another but as far as production I'm not sure. It's a bit challenging when you have to balance the milk pail when milking so they don't stick a hoof in it! Been there!! One doe I had would wait to poo until I was starting to milk! I learned to take more time washing her udder and milking into the strip cup so she would take care of business before the milk pail was under her!
oh, she just kicks it over! talk about not crying over spilt milk LOL. i have gotten quick at the draw, moving it out of the way, and getting her standing better....
strip cup? when i am done washing her up, i usually have a small baby food jar i put the first little bit in, to save for my coffee. everything else goes to the cats and chickens, milking out in the wind...
i think it may be a matter of supply and demand, so i will start and finish with the other side to build it back up. there isn't an obvious difference in size visually...
well, i had to call DH out to tie down one leg. i was actually attempting to get USABLE, CLEAN milk. she spooked, ARGGGGH! well turned out i had to call him to bring the gun, then he tied her leg while he was out there. the neighbor's dog runs out with his cows, but has been getting confused about property lines. last week i took several shots near him to scare him off. but there he was, in my horse pasture [where my chickens and guineas range] standing and growling in a low tone that i would not have heard if the goat hadn't.... and he was just feet away, good thing dh put up that chain link over the pipe fencing...
and she had just gotten used to the puppies barking behind her. anyhow, it certainly was no ther fault, and she didn't like being hobbled. any suggestions on the best type of hobble?
also, her nylon collar is about worn out. is there a preferable type of collar?
DH is out closing in the front of her barn for proetection from hail, the season is upon us. also closing off the PBRs side, she tends to knock their roost down...
btw, this time it was the other side that produced longer and with a double flow to it... so i suppose it just varies...
Be careful with that collar TF. Jim who I'm getting my goats from tells me their windpipes can collapse easily (killing them) if it's squeezed . Doesn't take much effort either.
MollyD
hmm, i am wondering if leather is better than nylon. all dairy goats i've seen wear collars... esp at shows...
Beats me. It's not being done at the big goat dairy farms here but I have zero experience with dairy goats so can't say from personal experience.
I've decided not to get that dairy goat I wondered about. Forgot that my hands have a lot of problems. I don't think milking twice a day would work for me! Paul tried to get me to go ahead and get once cause he wanted the milk. He even offered to do the milking LOL that means that the poor doe would be milked at odd hours like 5 am and 10 pm at night IF he remembered! No way! He'll have to settle for buying some goat milk instead. He's a good man but he's already got a super busy schedule so there is no room for him to add anything else.
MollyD
someone will appreciate you purchasing one.
miling went better this evening with a hobble and no grain bucket, and it helps that the dog is usually at home with his master in the evenings...
she is just easily fightened and nervous, this place is all new to her. so she gets more grain AFTER, because it doesn't get spilled LOL
the barn has been adjusted so she can have a side without bothering my PBRs...
i am very careful when handling her or any animal. and she has good manners when being led. and when you lead a goat you hold the collar up high right behind their ears [or lack of LOL], so they don't pull and dont' get hurt...
looking forward to hearing from you about tomorrow! i too am getting a surpise in the mail, 18 Jersey Giant chicks from Blue Giants, so some Black, Blue and Splash!!!
Jerseys! I love the look of those!
My goats are postponed again. We haven't gotten the fencing finished here. Day before yesterday we installed 100' and yesterday we did another 100'. We still have 50' to go plus a gate. Then we have to get the electrical wire installed and I have to figure out a manger for them. I don't want to buy one since we've spent so much on the fencing already. Our arms and hands are so sore from that job that last night I had to get up and get Tylenol for both of us to stop hurting and get some sleep.
MollyD
does DH weld? or is there a livestock auction nearby?
for the hay you can take a metal [maybe plastic would work?] 30-55 gallon drum, cut in half lenghtwise, set, tie or weld to a support to make it the right height... seems sannansandy had a picture with one in it.
i bought the nice heavy duty plastic buckets at the feed store. all the feed buckets around here are red. the milk buckets are green LOL... for the horse and Nubians i got the kind that have a lip on the back to hang on a railing, with no handle. that horse was a stinker and had broken every "free" reusable bucket i had, no matter how it was tied.... so i invested about 13 bucks, and it is lasting! the Nubians actually have his now so that both heads fit in, and he has theirs ^_^
for the lamancha i got a smaller one with a handle, and it easily ties and unties to the gate. but for you i would recommend the more sturdy and permanent ones...
and start saving your coffee cans for measuring.
funny, just last night DH was telling me i would need that milking shed sooner than i thougth. now we are having a downpour, since about 7 AM. everyone has shelter, but that Jersey Giant rooster seems to be enjoying his bath. it is coming down in sheets now. hope my van windows were up...
tf I inherited everything from Buck. I have a really large plastic bucket that will hold their water. Also assorted buckets for feed. Buck use to toss his whenever he got mad. Paul always bought the kind that looks like it's made from leather.
We have a pool lounger which we don't need cause we got rid of the pool. The cushions have long been gone and I'm thinking of using the frame to make a manger for them.
Got to ponder this one. Paul doesn't weld I'm afraid.
MollyD
here i am working away to list things for sale on the new Dave's Marketplace, and someone drives up with a wooden milking stand for moi! DH is out getting it set up...
buy Paul a welder and he will learn, LOL
my DH had never welded until recently doing some work for a friend. decided to get his own small flux welder off ebay and give it a try, just had to borrow friends helmet. granted it is a small welder.
HEY, look what i got to keep for myself this morning! It ain't what the label says LOL, and has LIMITED goat hair and no dust or dirt since it rained. actually it was barely sprinkling while i milked...
Just change the label to 'Goat Nectar'! ☺
Congratulations TF! And all for you huh?
MollyD
Hi, I'm new to the message board. I've been reading your post congrats! I raised dairy goats for many years and they are a joy. I could probably answer questions if you'd like. I only have two LaMancha does right now. Lots of horses. Oh, and tons of chickens. We do like are animals around here!
Laura
I was thinking "Brandywine Goat Nectar". Very artsy heritage sounding.
TF--Laura! Someone to clue you in on LaMancha! Got for it!
Welcome to Dave's Garden, muddy!
DH and I are still debating whether we want to do the dairy goat thing. 'Goat Nectar' sounds awfully good, especially when an 1/2 gallon of organic cows milk cost a dollar more than a gallon of non-organic.
Laura, welcome to Dave's Garden. and Dave's Poultry Forum, etc etc...
I willl be picking your brain for sure!!! right now just read all you want and join in our fun, our misery and our joys!!!!!!!
Got the milking stand yesterday. She is really scared being on it, so glad i am tying up one leg. And she i s doing better getting her grain and hay after instead of during.
So i got almost a quart this morning. I still hjave some left in yesterdays jar [didn't want to be piggish!], so I am sharing with a friend/goat investor...
gotta run! btw, the current price of goat's milk is $8 a gallon...
hmmm so now we know what it was that lady didn't like about this doe's 'style' ! Hopefully tf you can turn her into a more stylish lady goat!
MollyD