Management
Here is some information on how our management system at Twisted Vines Farm! Please enjoy, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me!
Kids/Kidding
In general, all of our kids are raised by their own mothers. While we are not opposed to bottle feeding, this is the method we prefer. We feel it is healthier for them to be raised in a more natural way and important that they learn from their mothers. Occasionally, we will bottle feed a kid if for example: their dam does not have enough milk to feed all of her kids, the kid is sick/weak and needs to be kept inside under observation, kid is orphaned or the dam has rejected the kid, we have purchased a young kid who is not yet weaned off the bottle. In those cases, we will not hesitate to bottle feed the kid. When we do bottle feed, we try to use goat milk. Either from another doe who is in milk and has extra milk or does not currently have kids nursing. When there are new kids born, we close of an area of the kidding shed so the babies will not accidentally wonder off and get lost. We also find it very important to tie our water buckets up above the ground so that there is no chance of a kid falling in. Before kidding, we lay down first a layer of sawdust and then a thick layer of straw on top of that. The sawdust is great for absorbing moisture and cushioning the ground. We like to put straw down on top because it does not stick to the new born kids faces. It tends to keep the babies and mothers warmer than just shavings would. We also trim the hair on the does back legs and udder, this makes it easier for the kids to find the does udder. Once the doe has kidded our kidding barn is always stocked with warm, clean water with some molasses (cold water if in summer), sweet rich hay and free choice grain. They certainly earned it! We try to attend every kidding, so far we have only missed one, we were picking up my brother from the airport and got home just after the kids were born (around midnight, of course!). When we are at a kidding, we try to interfere as little as possible, the bond between the mom and her kids is very important. However, we are always there to clean off the kids faces and help the mom dry them off and make sure they all eat. After the kids are all dried off, full and happy, they are very fun to watch! We enjoy getting to know the kids and watching them grow. At 1-3 they are disbudded, we choose to do our disbuddings with pain medication, so although it is much more expensive, we have the vet disbud all our kids. Does and bucks that are being sold as breeding stock will also be tattooed at this time. Once they are three months old, they are weaned and go off to their new homes.
Pregnant Does
We never breed a doe unless she is in top shape health wise. The does must not be too fat or too thin and are dewormed prior to breeding. When our does are bred, they are usually still in milk. If so, we milk them up until 2-3 months before kidding, usually decreasing to once a day milkings a few months after they are bred. Drying them off a few months before kidding gives the does a while to put all their energy into staying healthy and their kids. We gives our does grain during their entire pregnancy (amount depends on how fat or thin they are). The amount of grain usually decreases after they are dried off unless we feel the doe needs more grain to successfully support herself and her babies. While the does are pregnant, we continue with our usual supplements, selenium once a month and add vitamin A, D, E and B gel. About 4-2 weeks before the doe gives birth, we deworm her several times, after a doe kids and while she is pregnant she is more susceptible to worms, so this is very important. 3-4 weeks before due date we vaccinate does so the kids will have some immunity in their systems when they are born.
Shaving
In the spring and summer we like to shave our goats in a "show style" clip. We shave our bucks to take pictures, and also, they are very dirty and have really long hair, so it keeps them cooler and more comfortable during the summer. In general, we don't shave the kids. If we are showing babies we simple trim the hair around their feet and trim the wispy hair on their tails to give them a neater, cleaner appearance. Before and after we shave our goats we also wash them down with "goat show soap" from caprine supply. Some people just use dish soap but we find soap actually meant for goats is nicer on their skin and coats. We do this to get any loose hair and dirt off their skin and out of their coats. It is especially nice once the bucks are washed and shaved. They always look very handsome and aren't as stinky! Goats don't enjoy getting baths (although my wether Teddy seemed to enjoy his last bath as it was a 90 degree plus day at the North West Washington fair), but we try to make it as stress free as possible, by giving them lots of treats, pets and attention. The circumstances where we will wash our goats are: 1) Before clipping for a show. 2) If we have had any problem with lice (we use lice powder, but once the lice are dead, there is no reason to allow the powder to sit on their skin). 3) Sometimes after kidding (if the weather permits, its often to cold in the spring for this however). 4) If they have gotten in to anything especially sticky or gross.
For shaving-On the body we use a 10 blade, this is the perfect length to make them look sleek but not bald. On the udder we use a 40 blade, which will make them look completely hairless, we also use a human razor on the udder for the final touches. After an udder has has been shaved, the skin can get dry or red, so we use bag balm on the udder after wards. Bag balm is great for udders or any dry, irritated skin. We also trim around the does back legs, tail and udder before kidding to keep her cleaner and make it easier for the kids to find the udder.
For shaving-On the body we use a 10 blade, this is the perfect length to make them look sleek but not bald. On the udder we use a 40 blade, which will make them look completely hairless, we also use a human razor on the udder for the final touches. After an udder has has been shaved, the skin can get dry or red, so we use bag balm on the udder after wards. Bag balm is great for udders or any dry, irritated skin. We also trim around the does back legs, tail and udder before kidding to keep her cleaner and make it easier for the kids to find the udder.
Feeding
Coming soon
Deworming
Coming soon
Showing
Coming soon