Genipher's Journal

Worry-wort Alert!!

Last night I was reading up on worming goats and started getting worried that I'm going to end up killing my doelings because I don't know how to tell when they'll need it.
They were wormed in April, when I bought them. I figure they're good for awhile...right?

I've tried FAMANCHA but the goat's skin is so tight around their eyes that I can hardly pull down to check. And then, of course, they "freak out" and try to run away. I really need to get a milking stand!!

I want to get a microscope so I can learn to run fecals, but I don't have the money to buy one yet.

And I need to have them tested for CAE/CL in a few months (previous owner said they were in a closed, tested herd but I don't have any "proof") but I don't know how to draw blood and I don't know if our vet makes house calls. If she does, I expect it'll be expensive, since everything is always expensive at this vet. I'm thinking of looking for a new veterinarian.

So much to remember to keep them healthy! I feel like I'm forgetting stuff that they need or that I'm going to do something wrong!

When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. --John 10:4

I didn't realize goats do this, too! Alice and Lucy will be perfectly content outside and then I speak too close to an open window... Let the bleating begin!!
They definitely know my voice!

Per the advice of @CntryBoy777 I got a ShopVac. Been using it for a few weeks now and it has reeeeeeally helped in keeping the porch, backyard steps, and even the grass less poopy. The girls seem to have a "favorite" area where they tend to go (in the grass right next to the porch). The vacuum helps a TON.
I wonder if vacuuming the yard will help keep worms down, in the goats? Of course, this chore isn't perfect...we can't get all the pellets...but, still, it might help, eh?


Lucy watches her child servant clean up her doody.

Glad it helped out and saves ya time........something to be aware of is, goats prefer to eat between 3-6" above the ground and if ya let the grass grow in that range they will be away from the bulk of the parasites....what I did was cut half of their area at a time and let the other grow....then the next week, cut the tall that was left and let the other grow....I would cut the whole area once every 2wks....also, get some rye grass....pasture rye grass, not landscaping rye grass...and sow it in Sept for winter forage....it will die out when temps rise in the Spring or Summer...but will produce fairly well....unless your temps stay around 20° for an extended period....it will be dormant until the temps rise....this worked in Mississippi, so unsure about out there where ya are, but there should be a variety that will work for ya....be sure to plant some english peas along your fence and the goats will Love ya!!....

We just mowed the grass. It was as tall as my waste, on the bottom tier. The goats seemed to struggle to get through it and reach the blackberries. Though they prefer to eat the Vines and blackberries on the top tier...

I love the idea of growing rye and peas. I've been trying to figure out what I can grow for them. Oh, except... we're on the Oregon coast and have sandy soil. I'll have to research and see if I can grow those 2 plants.

When the goats start yelling for attention, it's Goat Guy to the rescue!

I think Alice wants to learn how to play video games!

Weighed the girls today. Alice has gained 7.4 lbs since June (total weight is 31.2).



And Lucy gained 8.4 lbs since June (total weight is 32.8).



Alice likes to paw at me when I sit. When I walk along the top tier to their shed to feed them at night, she weaves around my legs like a cat. I'm starting to wonder if she's plotting to kill me...

I sure hope not!

"Reach a little higher for that blackberry, human!"

Maybe the human should hold the goat out to pick its own blackberries!

Ours liked the green acorns and would worry us to death to get some for them....a couple of yrs ago...while standing in a resin lawn chair....Ms "Twinkle Toes", Joyce fell and broke her wrist....while picking some to give to em when we got them out to walk around....