Turnips! We prepared for kidding season by planting winter forages and the does thrived on fresh greens, from chicory to turnips to rye grass. I love to watch goats eat, as they pick and sort through the plants. We had not planted turnips before but they seem to be quite popular. We had a huge … Continue reading Kids are here!
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Ready for Kids!
On December 4, it will be 150 days since the does were put with a buck. Some does kid a couple of days early, so we are now officially on baby goat watch!! Kids from the first round of breeding could come as late as January 11, but we figure most will come by the … Continue reading Ready for Kids!
Thirty Days before Kidding!!
The number 30 figures a lot in breeding goats. First, a goat pregnancy is 150 days long. Kids are typically weighed every 30 days and weaned at 90 . For the past two years, the bucks have stayed with their does for 30 days for breeding. Many breeders leave bucks in for 45 days, but … Continue reading Thirty Days before Kidding!!
Kidding season underway!
Kidding season is one of the most exciting, mysterious, and worrying times of the year for a goat rancher. The pregnant does seems to transform overnight from plump, mischievous nymphs into swollen, waddling matrons. And there are so many unknowns! Like most mammals, does are most vulnerable during and after the birth process. Mechanics in … Continue reading Kidding season underway!
2017 Farm Bill– no goats?
Do you believe it is time for the goat industry to receive research, funding and assistance from the U.S. Government? If you have ever fought off barber pole worms with no success, today is the time to act. The goat industry is currently NOT included in the U.S. Farm Bill. You can help change that by sending … Continue reading 2017 Farm Bill– no goats?
Endless Summer
It's August in Texas, a most hot and uncomfortable time of year. To me, it's one of those months that speeds by when you're looking back, but seems to take forever when you're in it. August is the end of summer, beginning of school, and the height of breeding season for goats. And hot. At … Continue reading Endless Summer
Decisions, Decisions
Breeding and selling decisions impact your herd..
Nomenclature
Naming goats is either a chore or an art. In registered goats, there aren't too many rules for how you name your goats, other than having a maximum length and not repeating a name. The official name contains the herd prefix and the name, which is the legal name of the goat. It's a birth certificate … Continue reading Nomenclature
I’m officially in business
Our first goats were a ragtag bunch of pygmies, Boers and auction castoffs. At that time, I was merely interested in the property tax exemption for running a 'ranch.' Fast forward and today I am a registered breeder of Kikos, Boers and Genemasters. I knew I had to set some goals if I were … Continue reading I’m officially in business
No longer kidding
This year, we had an extra long kidding season. I really prefer to kid in December, January and February. This year, we bought a trailer load of goats in September and quarantined them for a month before we let Ozymandias introduce himself. Ergo, late mid-March to mid-April kids. Today, MJI Dakota finally gave us a … Continue reading No longer kidding
El Rancho Asno Blanco 