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Monday, April 14, 2014
Growin' Kids
The kids are growing like weeds. They have become used to being penned up at night on occasion to provide us with more milk. The horn buds that were burned are starting to come off and leave a nice smooth patch instead of the unwanted horns. Most of the kids are now very friendly. Ivory's twin girls are still rather stand offish, but I hope that improves with time. All of the kids have taken a liking to the new feed ration we are using and are grazing well with their moms. They are a great looking herd and we are pleased.
We look forward to getting a new buck soon and will introduce you to him after he arrives. We will also show you how we manage a new animal before they are allowed to integrate into the herd. There are always new happenings when it comes to raising livestock. Stay tuned.
Hi Fern! What cute pics! They are growing and doing so well! Looks like they have a nice place to graze. Will you sell the other buck, or try to keep two? Do you separate the bucks and does or keep them together? Sorry for all the questions, I just thought keeping the bucks with the girls would make the milk taste goaty. Looking forward to see how you manage and integrate him into the herd. Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!
We keep our buck separated from the does unless we are breeding, Feleica. We sold our other buck, unfortunately. He was a nice big buck, but didn't like our Pyrenees and started butting her,so he is gone. Even when we let the buck in with the does to breed, when he is the most stinky, we haven't had any off flavor in the milk. I have heard of that happening, but we haven't had that problem. I don't know if it is the handling of the milk, or some other factor. When the does have been breeding, I try to make sure that I do not touch their bodies before I milk so I won't inadvertently add any 'buck smell' to the milk. Good questions.
I have a 2 part question? If you bought a buck that was from a polled breed could you reduce the need to disbud genetically? Or would that cause other issues with the genetic boost cross breeding gives you?
The kids are awesome and all your goats look so wonderful in the pasture!
Everything I've read about polled goats makes me want to avoid them, Fiona. There are a few goats that are born polled, but I don't know of any naturally polled goats. When you breed two polled goats together, the risk is having hermaphrodites, or animals that have both male and female organs and are sterile. So there are some genetic issues that may come with trying produce a polled goat.
There is a lot of information and are differing opinions out there, and they don't all agree with me. This is one area that research will lead you to a decision that is best for you. Thanks for the questions.
Great looking herd of goats. We raise meat goats (Fainting or Myotonic) and our buck and our Great Pyrenees actually play fight. You can tell they're playing and they have never hurt each other, she usually starts it with him! He does have horns but is very small stature and she's bigger and faster than him, so she always keeps the upper hand. We watch it though, if it ever becomes a problem he'll be gone fast. Love your post. :)
Nice goats!
ReplyDeleteWe have to disbud this week. One of my least favorite things to do!
It is a job that is mentally difficult to do, but it increases the safety of the herd. Thanks, Sandra.
DeleteFern
Hi Fern! What cute pics! They are growing and doing so well! Looks like they have a nice place to graze. Will you sell the other buck, or try to keep two? Do you separate the bucks and does or keep them together? Sorry for all the questions, I just thought keeping the bucks with the girls would make the milk taste goaty. Looking forward to see how you manage and integrate him into the herd. Thanks for sharing! Blessings from Bama!
ReplyDeleteWe keep our buck separated from the does unless we are breeding, Feleica. We sold our other buck, unfortunately. He was a nice big buck, but didn't like our Pyrenees and started butting her,so he is gone. Even when we let the buck in with the does to breed, when he is the most stinky, we haven't had any off flavor in the milk. I have heard of that happening, but we haven't had that problem. I don't know if it is the handling of the milk, or some other factor. When the does have been breeding, I try to make sure that I do not touch their bodies before I milk so I won't inadvertently add any 'buck smell' to the milk. Good questions.
DeleteFern
I have a 2 part question? If you bought a buck that was from a polled breed could you reduce the need to disbud genetically? Or would that cause other issues with the genetic boost cross breeding gives you?
ReplyDeleteThe kids are awesome and all your goats look so wonderful in the pasture!
Everything I've read about polled goats makes me want to avoid them, Fiona. There are a few goats that are born polled, but I don't know of any naturally polled goats. When you breed two polled goats together, the risk is having hermaphrodites, or animals that have both male and female organs and are sterile. So there are some genetic issues that may come with trying produce a polled goat.
DeleteThere is a lot of information and are differing opinions out there, and they don't all agree with me. This is one area that research will lead you to a decision that is best for you. Thanks for the questions.
Fern
Great looking herd of goats. We raise meat goats (Fainting or Myotonic) and our buck and our Great Pyrenees actually play fight. You can tell they're playing and they have never hurt each other, she usually starts it with him! He does have horns but is very small stature and she's bigger and faster than him, so she always keeps the upper hand. We watch it though, if it ever becomes a problem he'll be gone fast. Love your post. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's great to hear about other people's goats, Mary, it gives me the opportunity to learn. Thanks for the comment.
Delete