TanksHill
Super Self-Sufficient
Great info Free. I learn something new every day.
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Holachicka ~ Up till 3 am, but...
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Holachicka
Lovin' The Homestead
Very good info, Thanks a bunch! I'll make sure to buy quality hay then. Why on earth do people call bad hay goat and cow hay?
Do you have any advice on type of grains to feed? If I find somewhere cheaper to buy grains and mix them myself, I think that would help. Though I'm not sure what grains or what ratio... I'm just not sure what they need in a grain! Makes it easy when they sell pre mixes, but sometimes I wonder what is really in those mixes and what it is or is not doing for my goats!
So I just posted a question on my facebook, asking who would be willing to or not to try home made goat cheese, I'm so curious how many of my friends would refuse! I'll bet a bunch, as they already think I'm nuts.
Oh well, more cheese for me!!
Do you have any advice on type of grains to feed? If I find somewhere cheaper to buy grains and mix them myself, I think that would help. Though I'm not sure what grains or what ratio... I'm just not sure what they need in a grain! Makes it easy when they sell pre mixes, but sometimes I wonder what is really in those mixes and what it is or is not doing for my goats!
So I just posted a question on my facebook, asking who would be willing to or not to try home made goat cheese, I'm so curious how many of my friends would refuse! I'll bet a bunch, as they already think I'm nuts.
Oh well, more cheese for me!!
Britesea
Sustainability Master
free choice alfalfa pellets in manger, grass hay for roughage, and cob as a treat while milking them. They should not have a LOT of the grain; it's WAY too rich for them.
And never, ever ever give moldy or mildewed hay.
And never, ever ever give moldy or mildewed hay.
aggieterpkatie
Swiss Army Wife
Typically people call bad hay cow or goat hay since ruminants' systems aren't quite as touchy as a horse's digestive system. Ruminants can handle small amounts of mold without colicking like horses will, but that doesn't mean they *should* be fed moldy hay at all. Plus, cattle and goats are often thought to be "just livestock" and not exactly treated like they're worthwhile animals that should be fed well. It depends on what area you're in though. When I lived in Vermont (dairy country), the best hay was dairy hay, and the second rate stuff was horse hay. 
THAT was hard to get used to, because horse hay was always the best hay here in MD where I'm from.
Either way, no animal should be fed moldy hay.
THAT was hard to get used to, because horse hay was always the best hay here in MD where I'm from. Either way, no animal should be fed moldy hay.
freemotion
Food Guru
Part of it also is that if a cow or goat gets sick they can go to freezer camp and a horse....well, that won't happen.
When I can get it I feed whole barley bought straight from the farmer who grew it. I sprout it to increase nutrient availability and to neutralize the mineral blockers present in all grains. It also increases the protein, and that is good for both lactating (milk has a lot of protein) animals and for the egg-laying hens....and the meat chickens, for that matter. I add alfalfa pellets to slow them down on the milking stand or if I can't get alfalfa hay.
In the recent past I was feeding sprouted oats as it was all I could get. Now I'm feeding sprouted organic wheat because I got over a ton of it for free.
I feed whole grains to avoid soy and food recalls, to feed something much healthier for my animals, and because they put a lot of by-products in those bags. When they grind stuff up, they can hide a lot of stuff you wouldn't otherwise buy.
We had a rough year....should I say a good year? with multiple births this year that took a lot out of my does so I added a 20# bag of black oil sunflower seeds to the mix this spring and it really made a difference. It is all gone now so I won't buy more unless they need it for some reason.
Good loose goat minerals fed in free-choice bins are another must-have. No other sources of salt, even baking soda, should be left out free choice or they won't eat enough minerals.
I can stretch a dollar so far that it screams
but there are certain things I won't scrimp on. It ends up costing more in the long run. Remember, you will save a TON on dairy products!
When I can get it I feed whole barley bought straight from the farmer who grew it. I sprout it to increase nutrient availability and to neutralize the mineral blockers present in all grains. It also increases the protein, and that is good for both lactating (milk has a lot of protein) animals and for the egg-laying hens....and the meat chickens, for that matter. I add alfalfa pellets to slow them down on the milking stand or if I can't get alfalfa hay.
In the recent past I was feeding sprouted oats as it was all I could get. Now I'm feeding sprouted organic wheat because I got over a ton of it for free.
I feed whole grains to avoid soy and food recalls, to feed something much healthier for my animals, and because they put a lot of by-products in those bags. When they grind stuff up, they can hide a lot of stuff you wouldn't otherwise buy.
We had a rough year....should I say a good year? with multiple births this year that took a lot out of my does so I added a 20# bag of black oil sunflower seeds to the mix this spring and it really made a difference. It is all gone now so I won't buy more unless they need it for some reason.
Good loose goat minerals fed in free-choice bins are another must-have. No other sources of salt, even baking soda, should be left out free choice or they won't eat enough minerals.
I can stretch a dollar so far that it screams
but there are certain things I won't scrimp on. It ends up costing more in the long run. Remember, you will save a TON on dairy products!savingdogs
Queen Filksinger
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When we go to the hay barn to select hay, we had to learn a few terms...."first cutting" means it will be too stemmy for your goats.
"horse hay" means it is good hay, one of their best.
Where the hay is grown means something too. In our area, we are low in selenium and the hay barns brag about "eastern" hay because that is hay grown just east of here (west of most of you) and there is more selenium in the ground there, so the "eastern" hay is what we want. You might want to ask about your local conditions.
I ASKED at my hay barn for them to explain these things to me, why they charged more for eastern, etc. I had to have them shout and repeat all this to me because you know I can't really hear, so I'm sure if I could get that information, you could easier.
This same hay barn sells at a much greater discount if you buy bulk, so we found someone who "split" a large order with us and that was a TREMENDOUS savings for us. These people actually sought US out because they saw we were buying per bale and wanted someone to go half-sies with, they helped us find a way to keep it dry and safe as well! So that ended up being the more economical way to buy hay...in bulk, with the help of an experienced neighbor.
I purposely acquired a reputation of being very picky about my hay from this place, I sent my older son there and had him say, "you know my mom, the deaf one who is really picky about what hay she feeds her goats?" I knew they would recognize my car and he said they smiled.
"horse hay" means it is good hay, one of their best.
Where the hay is grown means something too. In our area, we are low in selenium and the hay barns brag about "eastern" hay because that is hay grown just east of here (west of most of you) and there is more selenium in the ground there, so the "eastern" hay is what we want. You might want to ask about your local conditions.
I ASKED at my hay barn for them to explain these things to me, why they charged more for eastern, etc. I had to have them shout and repeat all this to me because you know I can't really hear, so I'm sure if I could get that information, you could easier.
This same hay barn sells at a much greater discount if you buy bulk, so we found someone who "split" a large order with us and that was a TREMENDOUS savings for us. These people actually sought US out because they saw we were buying per bale and wanted someone to go half-sies with, they helped us find a way to keep it dry and safe as well! So that ended up being the more economical way to buy hay...in bulk, with the help of an experienced neighbor.
I purposely acquired a reputation of being very picky about my hay from this place, I sent my older son there and had him say, "you know my mom, the deaf one who is really picky about what hay she feeds her goats?" I knew they would recognize my car and he said they smiled.
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- #47
Holachicka
Lovin' The Homestead
I'm happy and irritated at the same time... I was so proud of DH last night when he told me, this Goat milk is REALLY good!! Then I realized that between him and the kids, I'm not getting enough milk to make any cheese!!! AK! He grabs a whole quart jar out of the fridge and drinks the whole thing, at LEAST once a day. and between the kids, they are drinking at least a quart a day between the two of them. I'm so please that everyone is really enjoying the milk, but I want to make stuff with it too!!
She's giving about three quarts a day, and I'm milking once a day. Yesterday she only gave two quarts and I'm thinking the stress of changing homes may have caught up with her a bit. She's lost some weight so I'm keeping an eye on her, thinking of giving her a vitamin B booster shot if she doesn't pick up here pretty quick. After I get her back on track, I'm thinking it will be wise to milk twice a day and see if I can get her production up.
Added to her stress and our other girls is WE GOT A LLAMA! Our neighbor gifted us one of his because he had two and doesn't need them both. She's 14, and was used as a pack llama and show llama. BUT she runs at the sight of a lead rope... Love her name, Hot pants.
I have some reading to do about taking care of her!!
Lost 3 chickens and a rooster yesterday! Not sure to what, no bodies, and lots of feathers about. I'm going to take yesterdays eggs and stick them under our broody. I figure 10 eggs, she'll probably hatch out about 6, and 50% or so being male, might give me 3 girls. We'll see. I'll probably put more under her if their are any eggs out their today. But after the girls had a scare like that, we probably won't get many eggs for a while. What's the max # of eggs a broody can hatch out?
I found some nice looking grass and clover hay, can't remember all of what the mix is, but looked good in the pics. If we can find the guys # DH will check it out when he goes to pick some up... $9 a bale, but we'll see if we can get a discount of some sort by buying 20 bales.
Off to do some chores now!!
She's giving about three quarts a day, and I'm milking once a day. Yesterday she only gave two quarts and I'm thinking the stress of changing homes may have caught up with her a bit. She's lost some weight so I'm keeping an eye on her, thinking of giving her a vitamin B booster shot if she doesn't pick up here pretty quick. After I get her back on track, I'm thinking it will be wise to milk twice a day and see if I can get her production up.
Added to her stress and our other girls is WE GOT A LLAMA! Our neighbor gifted us one of his because he had two and doesn't need them both. She's 14, and was used as a pack llama and show llama. BUT she runs at the sight of a lead rope... Love her name, Hot pants.
I have some reading to do about taking care of her!!Lost 3 chickens and a rooster yesterday!
Not sure to what, no bodies, and lots of feathers about. I'm going to take yesterdays eggs and stick them under our broody. I figure 10 eggs, she'll probably hatch out about 6, and 50% or so being male, might give me 3 girls. We'll see. I'll probably put more under her if their are any eggs out their today. But after the girls had a scare like that, we probably won't get many eggs for a while. What's the max # of eggs a broody can hatch out?I found some nice looking grass and clover hay, can't remember all of what the mix is, but looked good in the pics. If we can find the guys # DH will check it out when he goes to pick some up... $9 a bale, but we'll see if we can get a discount of some sort by buying 20 bales.
Off to do some chores now!!
- Thread starter
- #48
Holachicka
Lovin' The Homestead
I was reading another journal and came to the conclusion that I need a break. REALLY. Just some me time to recharge. DH had been gone and busy so much that I really feel stressed out. I know he does too, because he had to go out of town, and what's keeping him so busy is all the prep work for going back to school for his masters, and finishing up studying for his CCNA. I hate to be selfish, but he is at least getting a change of pace and time to himself. I consider driving the car to the grocery store alone(VERY VERY RARE), time to myself! I'm always with the kids. and while I love them with all my heart, I just need some time where I'm not breaking up fights over toys, wiping butts, and generally just taking care of everyone else. Honestly, I don't think I've been able to pee uninterrupted in over a year! I love taking care of everyone, kids, DH, dogs, cat, chickens, goats and now a llama... but honestly... I don't get taken care of... when I'm sick, no one says, you chould go take a nap, you'll feel better, they say, what are you going to make for dinner? Don't get me wrong, I do what I have to, pull something from the freezer or a box to make it easier, but it's still on me. I think the worst part of this is that DH does not understand. he gets frustrated because he is trying to get stuff done around the house, and I want a break, meaning that he has to stop what he is doing and take the kids. And THAT means he sits on the couch and watches tv with them. Multitask with kids?? He doesn't know how.
Sorry for the rant... I think some of this is stemming from one of our dogs. He's been ill for a while now and it looks like we will have to put him down.
ON TO HAPPIER NEWS!!
Well, My llama Hot Pants is finally getting used to me! Some things about my new girl: She is registered, 14 years old or something(neighbor will give me the paperwork later) Used to show halter and was used as a pack llama as well.
The thing is, she does not like the lead rope, or to have her halter touched! but once she's on the lead, she's an angel... Hrrrm. Her halter is on at all times, which I'm not comfortable with, but I plan on leaving it on until I can get her familiar with me and able to take off and put on the halter a little easier.
She's warming up to me because I spend a lot of time out there feeding and caring for the goats as well. Plus I give her her grain while I hold the bucket. I try to jiggle her halter every once in a while, to get her used to my hand near her face and to me moving the halter. I've made huge progress in the past few days where she previously wouldn't let me raise my hand at all without jumping out of reach, I was able to jiggle it with her only giving me the stink eye while she continued to eat. Pretty soon I'll work up to carying a lead with me and eventually clipping it on then off. She DEFINATELY associates me with food and treats now, because she trots along the fence following me when I'm getting her grain.
My goal is to eventually be able to take the halter off and put it on for feeding time so I won't have huge problems catching her when I need to put her in the (not yet built) chute.
Sorry for the rant... I think some of this is stemming from one of our dogs. He's been ill for a while now and it looks like we will have to put him down.
ON TO HAPPIER NEWS!!
Well, My llama Hot Pants is finally getting used to me! Some things about my new girl: She is registered, 14 years old or something(neighbor will give me the paperwork later) Used to show halter and was used as a pack llama as well.
The thing is, she does not like the lead rope, or to have her halter touched! but once she's on the lead, she's an angel... Hrrrm. Her halter is on at all times, which I'm not comfortable with, but I plan on leaving it on until I can get her familiar with me and able to take off and put on the halter a little easier.
She's warming up to me because I spend a lot of time out there feeding and caring for the goats as well. Plus I give her her grain while I hold the bucket. I try to jiggle her halter every once in a while, to get her used to my hand near her face and to me moving the halter. I've made huge progress in the past few days where she previously wouldn't let me raise my hand at all without jumping out of reach, I was able to jiggle it with her only giving me the stink eye while she continued to eat. Pretty soon I'll work up to carying a lead with me and eventually clipping it on then off. She DEFINATELY associates me with food and treats now, because she trots along the fence following me when I'm getting her grain.
My goal is to eventually be able to take the halter off and put it on for feeding time so I won't have huge problems catching her when I need to put her in the (not yet built) chute.
TanksHill
Super Self-Sufficient
Sorry about your lack of Me time. I can totally relate. How old did you say uour kids are??
It will get easier.
G
It will get easier.
G
- Thread starter
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Holachicka
Lovin' The Homestead
Thanks Gina. The kids are 2 and 4 years old. I'm potty training my little girl right now as well.
Thank god foor farmer friends!! Brian and his dad get to go picking through the farm for all the veggies we want a few times a year. He'll be coming home with a truck load of corn, jalepenos, anaheim chilies, bell peppers, watermelon, cantelope honeydew, hot wax peppers, and more!!
I need to figure out what I'm going to do with all of this! I still have tons of bell peppers in the freezer, as well as jalepenos and anaheims. What else can I do with these things? I don't have a pressure canner, and I'd rather avoid just popping them in the freezer as I already have enough in there. Any ideas?
Made 10 minute goat milk fudge today... MMMMMM.
Thank god foor farmer friends!! Brian and his dad get to go picking through the farm for all the veggies we want a few times a year. He'll be coming home with a truck load of corn, jalepenos, anaheim chilies, bell peppers, watermelon, cantelope honeydew, hot wax peppers, and more!!
I need to figure out what I'm going to do with all of this! I still have tons of bell peppers in the freezer, as well as jalepenos and anaheims. What else can I do with these things? I don't have a pressure canner, and I'd rather avoid just popping them in the freezer as I already have enough in there. Any ideas?
Made 10 minute goat milk fudge today... MMMMMM.
