GOAT LINKS & INFO
(Please Scroll Down To See Links)
Sonata and Hydrangea shaving the view...
Goats are special creatures. They are different from most other animals, and require special diets and supplementing to be healthy. Sometimes it's hard to find information on this and other Goat-y topics.
As you scroll down this page you will find some wonderful links to websites that are chock full of information. Instead of recreating the wheel, we have assembled many links to serve the Community of new and experienced Goat Owners. These are just a few links and resources. We will continue to add to them as time permits.
Please understand that we cannot guarantee or be liable for your use of any of it, but we do want to make it available to you.
As you scroll down this page you will find some wonderful links to websites that are chock full of information. Instead of recreating the wheel, we have assembled many links to serve the Community of new and experienced Goat Owners. These are just a few links and resources. We will continue to add to them as time permits.
Please understand that we cannot guarantee or be liable for your use of any of it, but we do want to make it available to you.
ALL ABOUT EVERYTHING GOAT - WEBSITES...
On this website the Author has created a wonderful BLOG on her goats including goat birthing (she was an OBGYN Nurse and her Blogs are wonderful with diagrams at times). She also writes on many other Topics. Each Blog post is worth reading, and she has excellent quality Mini Nubians as well!
This comprehensive website has many articles on general goat care, breeding and kidding and more... and they also offer a unique service - a Goat Mentor option!
You can read for hours on this website. They are holistic in focus and cover all aspects - getting your goat and general goat care, to breeding and kidding, to medications and more.
HOW TO TRIM GOATS - Hooves & Coat...
Keeping your goat hooves trimmed is a must. This is a great Article on it with good pictures:
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/articles/hoof-trimming.html
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/articles/hoof-trimming.html
This is a great video on trimming little hooves with cutters and then using a rasp for leveling:
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GRASS HAY versus ALFALFA/LEGUME HAY...
Here's a nice introduction to HAY, it's nutrient purposes and protein levels. I should remind you that Hay grown on soil that has had Weed Killer like Glyphosate is very bad news. Glyphosate is a toxin to animals and people.
You should also know that hay that has been grown with chemical fertilizers (instead of the real thing) is nutritionally deficient. Chemical fertilizers block the uptake of Minerals, which block the uptake of Vitamins... seek out quality Hay that was grown organically if at all possible.
https://thriftyhomesteader.com/whats-the-difference-between-alfalfa-and-grass-hay/
You should also know that hay that has been grown with chemical fertilizers (instead of the real thing) is nutritionally deficient. Chemical fertilizers block the uptake of Minerals, which block the uptake of Vitamins... seek out quality Hay that was grown organically if at all possible.
https://thriftyhomesteader.com/whats-the-difference-between-alfalfa-and-grass-hay/
COPPER DEFICIENCY IN GOATS, A Critical Issue...
Copper deficiency shows up in MANY forms in goats, including loss of hair around the eyes and getting mostly bucklings from breedings. Here is an online Article to introduce you to the problems with Copper deficiency. Here is a link on the subject, and the book "Natural Goat Care" that we list at the bottom of the page has excellent in-depth information on goats, as well as how to correctly supply Copper and keep their diets balanced.
https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goats-and-copper-deficiency/
https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goats-and-copper-deficiency/
MIX YOUR OWN FEED FOR TRUE HEALTH...
This Article discusses working up your own Feed and gives two recipes - one Organic.
The book below "Natural Goat Care" has a comprehensive method of mixing your own feed and supplements that I also really recommend for excellent health and coat, if cost isn't an issue. That is the program I use, but I wanted to include this like for your consideration as well.
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/recipebook/grain-mix.html
The book below "Natural Goat Care" has a comprehensive method of mixing your own feed and supplements that I also really recommend for excellent health and coat, if cost isn't an issue. That is the program I use, but I wanted to include this like for your consideration as well.
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/recipebook/grain-mix.html
SWEET TASTING MILK - How To Get It From Your Goats...
How to produce great tasting milk:
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/articles/greatmilk.html
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/articles/greatmilk.html
WHAT A DOE IN LABOR DOES...
This first link takes you to an Article with lots of pictures of a Doe as she into labor and up to delivery. I strongly recommend you read all the Blogs on birth on the SECOND link below, because she discusses each of her Does birth process and problems she overcame in her deliveries.
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/articles/kidding-and-labor.html
https://sizemattersmicroranch.com/blog/
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/articles/kidding-and-labor.html
https://sizemattersmicroranch.com/blog/
HOW TO DEVELOP & ENLARGE UDDERS...
First fresheners can have small udders. You have a limited amount of time after they give birth to help enlarge their udders. This is a good article on how to go about it.
FEEDING BABY GOATS...
This is a good Article if you are wanting to feed baby goats and milk their Moms.
You do need to adjust the amount of milk, since she has Mini Nubians.
Here is an easy formula based on baby weight for bottle feeding:
Multiply baby weight x 16 = weight in ounces
Multiply baby weight in ounces by 10% to get the daily ounce feeding total.
Divide that daily ounce feeding total into 3 or 4 feedings to see how many ounces to feed each time, until they are down to one or two times a day.
Here is an example using this formula for a 6 lb baby:
6 lb baby weight x 16 = 96 ounces
96 ounces x 10% = 9.6 ounces of milk a day
Divided by 3 feedings = 3.2 (or 3-1/2 ounces of milk each time you feed)
Article link:
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/articles/feedingkids.html
You do need to adjust the amount of milk, since she has Mini Nubians.
Here is an easy formula based on baby weight for bottle feeding:
Multiply baby weight x 16 = weight in ounces
Multiply baby weight in ounces by 10% to get the daily ounce feeding total.
Divide that daily ounce feeding total into 3 or 4 feedings to see how many ounces to feed each time, until they are down to one or two times a day.
Here is an example using this formula for a 6 lb baby:
6 lb baby weight x 16 = 96 ounces
96 ounces x 10% = 9.6 ounces of milk a day
Divided by 3 feedings = 3.2 (or 3-1/2 ounces of milk each time you feed)
Article link:
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/articles/feedingkids.html
POLLED (No Horns) Versus HORNED GOATS & BREEDING...
Breeding for "polled" hornless goats is on the increase, due to Folks not wanting the misery of disbudding their babies, not getting it right and causing scur horns, and so on.
The opposition to breeding for polled goats is the possibility of producing fewer females and in some cases getting inter-sexed goats. If the goat will be a pet, this is far less of an issue.
Historically, there used to be a much larger population of polled goats in the Goat Community across the Nation. In 1967 a fairly large survey was done, and it demonstrated a percentage of inter-sexed and lower female births in outcome when breeding polled to polled. That turned many Breeders off of breeding for polled goats. The Study didn't take into account Copper deficiencies, which also causes low female births, among other problems.
There are an increasing number of Breeders interested in producing polled goats these days, so there is a come back in polled goats. Genuinely polled goats may still produce scur horns later in life, but they tend to be thin and drop off.
This Article covers breeding for polled by intent or by chance, in case this subject interests you:
The opposition to breeding for polled goats is the possibility of producing fewer females and in some cases getting inter-sexed goats. If the goat will be a pet, this is far less of an issue.
Historically, there used to be a much larger population of polled goats in the Goat Community across the Nation. In 1967 a fairly large survey was done, and it demonstrated a percentage of inter-sexed and lower female births in outcome when breeding polled to polled. That turned many Breeders off of breeding for polled goats. The Study didn't take into account Copper deficiencies, which also causes low female births, among other problems.
There are an increasing number of Breeders interested in producing polled goats these days, so there is a come back in polled goats. Genuinely polled goats may still produce scur horns later in life, but they tend to be thin and drop off.
This Article covers breeding for polled by intent or by chance, in case this subject interests you:
Useful VIDEO Links...
Watch a Healthy Kidding Happen...
Trimming and leveling little hooves...
Shaving a Buck, and info on Clippers & Blade Sizes...
Shaving a Doe for Show With Clippers and then a Razor...
WONDERFUL BOOKS ON GOAT CARE
Storey's Guide To Raising Dairy Goats... a beginning...
This is a thorough and easy to read book on all aspects of getting and caring for Dairy Goats. Everyone should have this book in my opinion, ESPECIALLY new goat owners.
You can get it used on Amazon.com if price is an issue.
You can get it used on Amazon.com if price is an issue.
Natural Goat Care...
This book takes things to a higher level. There is an amazing collection of information in this book that isn't available anywhere else now.
In a day when we rely on inadequate processed foods, chemicals and pharmaceutical medicines, if you really want to comprehend your goats, including how to keep them healthy and understand their feed and supplement needs this book is for you. The Author goes into specific detail on how to create your own goat food and supplements, and teaches about goat specific medical treatments and more,
You might be amazed to read of the impact of chemical fertilizers on minerals and vitamins and how they restrict their uptake and cause illness, or how antibiotics and vaccines deplete Vitamin C, and so much more. She also addresses soil, and what different weeds tell you about the land quality as it will apply to your goat's health.
The original date of publishing is 1928. The Author was a Dairy Goat Farmer from Australia. Don't look down your nose at that date or location. She had to know her business to survive and prosper. We owe a real debt to the her for the books she wrote. They are full of information from A to Z, and she also covers how to help goats recover from illnesses. If you can search the Internet you can assemble what you need based on what she recommends.
I took her instructions and turned a run-down scrub goat into a glossy-coated happy little Doe that produced as much milk a day as my Oberhasli Does did.
You can get this book new or used on Amazon.com
In a day when we rely on inadequate processed foods, chemicals and pharmaceutical medicines, if you really want to comprehend your goats, including how to keep them healthy and understand their feed and supplement needs this book is for you. The Author goes into specific detail on how to create your own goat food and supplements, and teaches about goat specific medical treatments and more,
You might be amazed to read of the impact of chemical fertilizers on minerals and vitamins and how they restrict their uptake and cause illness, or how antibiotics and vaccines deplete Vitamin C, and so much more. She also addresses soil, and what different weeds tell you about the land quality as it will apply to your goat's health.
The original date of publishing is 1928. The Author was a Dairy Goat Farmer from Australia. Don't look down your nose at that date or location. She had to know her business to survive and prosper. We owe a real debt to the her for the books she wrote. They are full of information from A to Z, and she also covers how to help goats recover from illnesses. If you can search the Internet you can assemble what you need based on what she recommends.
I took her instructions and turned a run-down scrub goat into a glossy-coated happy little Doe that produced as much milk a day as my Oberhasli Does did.
You can get this book new or used on Amazon.com
ONLINE GOAT SUPPLIES...
If you are serious about goat care, you need supplies that may be hard to get in your area. Here are some links to Suppliers in no particular order.
www.jefferspet.com/pages/goat
A source for Goat Feed that is organic and IS NOT pelleted. Pelleted feed turns to mush in your goat's stomach, asking for problems over time. Their whole grain feed is what we use when we don't make our own feed (based on the book "Natural Goat Care").
It comes in 40 lb bags and has to be shipped to you, unless you are fortunate to live near by for local pick up!
It comes in 40 lb bags and has to be shipped to you, unless you are fortunate to live near by for local pick up!
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