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Barnyard Buddies:  All Things Sheep and Goats  |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 12:47:29 PM
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Grace, I completely understand your situation and choices. And kudos to you for wanting the best for your sons--that says a lot about you. In "the day" sons were expected to work the farm and take over but that is not a common theme anymore. Also, just raising sheep is a tremendous amount of work and marketing is even harder, so you make choices. I remember the fires in your area and the drought and sure know about feed prices!
Regarding feeding and our philosophy...we do a pasture-based system and our lambs are only grass-fed although our commercial buyer feedlots them and finishes them with grain. We raise our own hay (grass hay) and purchase outside alfalfa for just around lambing time and late gestation for the ewes. We do flush the ewes with barley for 3-4 weeks before turning in the rams. This has paid off even though it's expensive - more lambs per ewe = more lambs to market and more $.
Anyhow, we minimize input costs by utilizing our pastures but we only have creek water rights so run out of irrigation water around July 1 so we hit the irrigating hard from late April (when the creeks start running good) through June and have 6 rotational pastures we graze a few times each over the summer months. We follow each rotation with the horses to cut down on the worm load as sheep and horses don't share worm species and this keeps our egg counts down. Continue to graze through about September and then we start feeding our hay. We put up about 50 tons of hay a year with our one cutting we put up in June and then graze the sheep out on the hay field after harvest to fertilize the field. Then the horses go out on the hay field for the winter months.
Our locker lamb customers love the grass-fed lamb. Grace, how did you go organic with worming issues? I have found so few flocks that are organic...I'm always curious how it's done as we have liver flukes and nose bots that are notorious at certain times of the year and nothing gets rid of them but dewormers. I found a new mineral supplement with diatomaceous earth but the jury (experts) claim this is not a good dewormer for our area. At the recent sheep convention I took in the label from the minerals and had the animal science dept at WSU look at it...they said it's not a dewormer. Darn. I was hoping this was the ticket towards going organic in addition to having our fields transition to organic for our hay.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 1:48:25 PM
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Looks like we're just talking sheep now. Since I have none now, I'll just read and learn from what ya'll are saying. I do want to learn more b/c I do want to get more sheep in the future.
So teach away!! Kris |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 3:59:57 PM
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Well Kris, anyone who wants to talk goats should definitely jump in. I don't own any goats and I really know little about them. I had one when I was a kid, a white billy, and he put the funny in our farm...oh the antics he did.
If you have experience with goats or questions, go ahead and ask and I'm sure someone will pipe in sooner or later. I have to admit I have a one-track mind and it's usually on sheep! 
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 6:26:40 PM
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Hi Kris, I love talking goats - that all that is in my barn right now except for my llamas. Ask away and I am not kidding I would love to talk goats too.
Jami, I know that worms can be a horrible problem expecially in some areas of the country. One great issue is in dry climates such as mine that helps in keeping some forms away. Next certain breeds are just magnets to worms. In being organic I must also state I stopped traveling my animals to shows, breeders and such and found an incredible drop in worms. Then I use the Farmstead herbal wormer program, I also include woodworm during certain times of the years. I have several books inwhich I could send you the recipes for herbal wormers. Apple Cider is also added to water supplies and I clean with Order Ban which will kill many nasty little creepy things. I have also found the more grains in the system the more worm issues they seem to have - it is a balancing act.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 6:30:16 PM
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Monica
Hope BamBam is back soon. I would suggest contact the local and not so local feedlot and auction houses - put out the word also with your local shelters because someone who might find him would not know where else to take him so if you local dog pound gets a sheep they have folks who will take them in until the owner is found. Also, contact your local extention office and 4H organization they will be able to find him faster then anybody. Gather a group of 4H and he will be home very soon.
Good luck
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 6:37:28 PM
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Grace, thank you for the info! I didn't think about contacting the local shelters! I will have to call in the morning! There are quite a few feed stores down by the farmers market and I was going to take some fliers down tomorrow! I will have to figure how to contact the 4H organization! I am really hoping that if he got loose we will be able to find him!
Monica
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 7:12:47 PM
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I have read that ACV will kill worms in chickens, so why not in sheep or goats? I might have to try that with mine.
See, I can't be quiet!
Kris |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Nov 10 2008 : 10:33:53 PM
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I would like to know more about angora goats? Can anyone tell me about them? thanks bev
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 09:01:08 AM
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Hi Bev
I have been raising Angora Goats for 12 years now - what questions do you have about them? Glady to answer what I can and I know there are others who raise them too - Ask away...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 09:07:05 AM
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Is Bam Bam a ram? I pity anyone who tries to catch a ram with a name like that! I've been bammed by a ram, and it ain't fun. I can only imagine why he's named that. I sure hope the poor guy is found soon.
Kris |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 09:21:00 AM
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Kris, what's ACV?
Grace, I'd be interested in looking into the organic wormers. My girls are "fairly" resistant, we live in a very dry climate (except at the moment) and we don't grain much (flushing is it) so it might work to try these alternatives. I'll do some Googles and see what I find on the products you mentioned. Thanks!
Thanks.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 09:24:56 AM
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Jami, apple cider vinegar. It's great for everything. You just put about a 1/4 cup in a gallon of water for chickens. I believe I've read to do this for goats, too, but I'll have to remember where I read it and do some research. But really, it couldn't hurt them at all.
Kris |
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oldfashioned girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2391 Posts
monica
oatman
az
USA
2391 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 09:46:38 AM
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Kristin, He is about 8 months old! They named him that when they got him in May and he was so cute and little! Now he is cute and big and has horns!
Moncia
farmgirls rule!
www.justducky48.etsy.com |
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 10:04:05 AM
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Jami - I too use apple cider vinegar in the water - I found if you just add it slowly they will not know the difference - also when I started doing that I did not do it in front of them because they are smart enough that they think you fiddled with their water - they wont drink - now when I bring the bottle out they get all excited. My dogs, llamas also drink from the same water so everyone including me gets apple vinager. NO I do not drink out of their buckets - really!! Ok, only in a pinch...
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 10:48:39 AM
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Grace, is that the correct dosage for goats? Or does it really matter?
Kris
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 12:08:06 PM
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My questions about angora goats is. Do you shear them like sheep or do you have to cut their fur a different way. I have nigerians and so I don't have to do anything to theirs so I have no idea what to do with an angora. but I would like to get a few goats or sheep for the fiber. So I am starting to research it. thanks really for any info you may give.
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 11 2008 : 4:43:35 PM
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Kris that dosage sounds right - I admit I have gotten so in the habit that I am a pourer and not a measurer.
Hi Beverley with the extra E.
I use a pair of teflon coated fiskar scissors. I have been shearing all of my animals that way since my hand injuries - going on 8 years now. What is great is I take the best locks and snip them off and lay them all going in one direction in a box labeled with the animals name. I do that because doll makers pay me a fortune for perfect locks. Then once I have taken the best I go back in and cut the blanket, which if you think about it - it is like throwing a blanket over a horse that goes down the barrel but not their underneath tummy. That all goes in a separte box again labeled. Then I make judgement calls- for my this year babies I usually leave their tummy fiber, leg and sometimes their neck fiber. Why you ask because then they have a great warm bed to lay on. I do that for the boys mostly because they want to be more outside then the girls. The girls are in the nice big warm barn on a bed of straw so they really do not need the extra fiber. Example, the 2008 boys are out with 2007 boys and they all decided instead of going into their barn they would all stay outside while it snowed all night. You know the manly thing - it is like chicken - who will be the first to go in!
I do have friend who have shearers come in but I have also skirted those fleeces for them and a bunch of second cuts is what they pay for and are not getting top dollar. Remember there is no right or wrong just what works into your plan.
Hope that helps get the ball rolling. I do much better if you ask a question because we all could fill pages with just information - that is when I give folks who come to the farm my books. I have a lending library for local folks on all types of topics but since we are doing it this way questions work best.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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Jami
True Blue Farmgirl
1238 Posts
Jami
Ellensburg
WA
USA
1238 Posts |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 07:34:48 AM
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I have a question on the ACV (woo hoo, now I know what that means, thanks Kris!)...
Does the acidity in the ACV throw off the acid levels in the rumen? Can you lead me to somewhere to read what it does as far as benefit the digestive tract?
Thanks.
Jami in WA
Farmgirl Sister #266
http://woolyinwashington.wordpress.com/
http://farmhouseflair.etsy.com |
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Beverley
True Blue Farmgirl
2707 Posts
Beverley
atlanta
Michigan
USA
2707 Posts |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 07:57:34 AM
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Is then an angora goat fiber good for spinning if you take it off in different parts like that or would it be better to shear the goat for that?
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 10:59:19 AM
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That has been the way I have done it for 12 years and I sell tons of Mohair to spinners using this procedure. Others use a shearer and take it off all at once but unless you have a top shearer (which are hard to find - most shear sheep only) your going to get a hack job. Also that cuts into your profit and the animals stress leave. Now remember that is how I do it - there are plently of other folks out there who do differently.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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frolicnfibers
True Blue Farmgirl
668 Posts
Diana
White City
Oregon
USA
668 Posts |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 1:11:36 PM
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Hi Grace! I am loving this post and getting the best info from it. Thank you, thank you! I have had Angora goats for about 2 yrs now, but am just starting to breed our little herd, so that's a whole new thing! I love the ACV tip. I'm going to give that a try today. I have a couple of questions. Do you shear your goats twice a year or just once? We've been shearing twice, but this last cutting was a little short. Also, do you wash your locks after you "harvest" them, and if so, do you pick the locks or just leave them whole. It seems that when I pick them, they have a tendency to matt more. Finally, my favorite goat is also my "runt" and I'm worried about her kidding this next year. She's only about 68 lbs or so...any suggestions? I know that's a lot of questions to ask...sorry!
Diana
Please come visit my animals and my Etsy store on my new blog!
http://www.frolicnfibers.blogspot.com |
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grace gerber
True Blue Farmgirl
2804 Posts
grace
larkspur
colorado
USA
2804 Posts |
Posted - Nov 12 2008 : 6:05:00 PM
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No problem Diana - Great questions.
I have a couple of Angora's that I shear twice a year because they just are fiber machines, otherwise once a year works so I can get the length that pays me the most. I guess if you are wanting to have your lockets bring the most dollars you do not pick them open but that would depend on how much VM is in the locks. If the locks are tight, clean and no breakage then just laying them gently in the soap water and then rinse with the spray nozzle in the sink is all you need. If someone has VM in the fiber then you have to pick them. If they are matting I would first check to make sure you are not having breakage in the fleece. Next you might be shocking them into felting by to extreme water temp and movement. No spinning in the washer either if you are getting matting. I make notes of things like that in my breeding book to see if there is feeding issues, birthing issues, or such.
As for your little girl question - I hold off all runts or even the fully size girls and do not breed them in their first year. I want them to be completely grown and stable before I bred them - that includes runts. I also want to completey know their personality and health before I send them into motherhood. I never breed my young girls to anyone but a billy who throws only singles - I found that way I am also not over taxing their system. I understand alot of folks do it completely different and I am sure they will explain their logic. All I know is it works for my farm and stat wise I have less complications and my girls are still producing wonderful kids way into their 20th year.
Hope to hear from others out there. We all learn by sharing.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
http://www.larkspurfunnyfarm.etsy.com
http://larkspurfunnyfarm.blogspot.com
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frolicnfibers
True Blue Farmgirl
668 Posts
Diana
White City
Oregon
USA
668 Posts |
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Barnyard Buddies: All Things Sheep and Goats |
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All Things Sheep and Goats
