Everyone manages their herds differently. This is what works best for us.
Yearly Dairy Goat Care
Adapted from www.shadyoakandsassafras.com
Daily
Fresh Water - change/refill at least twice per day. (Warm water in winter).
Loose goat mineral, free choice.*
Kelp & Herbal Dewormer mix, free choice. (We use a combination of Fir Meadow's DWA, Fir Meadow’s GI Soother, and Kelp)*
*only put out the amount you anticipate your animals will consume in one day, refresh as needed. If it absorbs too much moisture, they will not eat it and you will have wasted it
Quality mixed grass hay 2-4 lbs per goat, per day. We fill hay feeders AM & PM. More in the winter.
Milking goat ration 1-2 lbs depending on milk production and doe condition (we use a mix of alfalfa pellets, dairy goat grain, and black oil sunflower seed, topped with Kelp and Probiotic powder) - feed on the stand
Milk by hand or machine, once or twice daily
Spot clean barn
It is good practice to observe your goats daily to make sure that everyone is eating, peeing, and pooping normally. Note any "off" behavior and investigate immediately. Goats can go down hill fast.
Weekly
Herbal worm preventative, if using natural method (We use Molly’s Herbals Formula #2). We make individual portion herbal balls and give to each goat on Sunday of each week. Pick a day that works best for you and that you can commit to. It must be consistent. (Can also top dress their feed or just offer free choice.)
Assess body condition, check eyelids for anemia
Remove soiled bedding and replace, more often if necessary.
Monthly
Trim hooves
Disinfect water and feed containers, more often if necessary
Selenium & Vitamin E Supplement (we are in a deficient area, you may not need to do this as often) - we may be switching over to Kop-Sel from Fir Meadow for copper and selenium needs
Bi-Monthly
Herbal Worm preventative with wormwood (Molly’s Herbals Formula #1) - give 3 days in a row, every 8th week *Substitute for non-wormwood mix for pregnant does
Twice Yearly
Copper bolus if needed (we are on well water and need to bolus approximately every 6-8 months, you may have different needs on your farm)
Fecal test for parasites, treat with appropriate herbs if necessary
Yearly
Draw blood to test for disease
Breed with a buck
Use FirMeadow Pre-Birth herbs at appropriate time during gestation
Kid after 5 month gestation; deworm mom day after kidding
Please see our "resources" page for links to buy some of the items mentioned above that we use on our farm.
Adapted from www.shadyoakandsassafras.com
Daily
Fresh Water - change/refill at least twice per day. (Warm water in winter).
Loose goat mineral, free choice.*
Kelp & Herbal Dewormer mix, free choice. (We use a combination of Fir Meadow's DWA, Fir Meadow’s GI Soother, and Kelp)*
*only put out the amount you anticipate your animals will consume in one day, refresh as needed. If it absorbs too much moisture, they will not eat it and you will have wasted it
Quality mixed grass hay 2-4 lbs per goat, per day. We fill hay feeders AM & PM. More in the winter.
Milking goat ration 1-2 lbs depending on milk production and doe condition (we use a mix of alfalfa pellets, dairy goat grain, and black oil sunflower seed, topped with Kelp and Probiotic powder) - feed on the stand
Milk by hand or machine, once or twice daily
Spot clean barn
It is good practice to observe your goats daily to make sure that everyone is eating, peeing, and pooping normally. Note any "off" behavior and investigate immediately. Goats can go down hill fast.
Weekly
Herbal worm preventative, if using natural method (We use Molly’s Herbals Formula #2). We make individual portion herbal balls and give to each goat on Sunday of each week. Pick a day that works best for you and that you can commit to. It must be consistent. (Can also top dress their feed or just offer free choice.)
Assess body condition, check eyelids for anemia
Remove soiled bedding and replace, more often if necessary.
Monthly
Trim hooves
Disinfect water and feed containers, more often if necessary
Selenium & Vitamin E Supplement (we are in a deficient area, you may not need to do this as often) - we may be switching over to Kop-Sel from Fir Meadow for copper and selenium needs
Bi-Monthly
Herbal Worm preventative with wormwood (Molly’s Herbals Formula #1) - give 3 days in a row, every 8th week *Substitute for non-wormwood mix for pregnant does
Twice Yearly
Copper bolus if needed (we are on well water and need to bolus approximately every 6-8 months, you may have different needs on your farm)
Fecal test for parasites, treat with appropriate herbs if necessary
Yearly
Draw blood to test for disease
Breed with a buck
Use FirMeadow Pre-Birth herbs at appropriate time during gestation
Kid after 5 month gestation; deworm mom day after kidding
Please see our "resources" page for links to buy some of the items mentioned above that we use on our farm.