Herd Health
A healthy herd is paramount for the the work we do here on our small farm. We run annual blood tests for the entire herd to be sure everyone is negative for CAE, and we immediately quarantine and test any new animals brought onto our property. Our most recent recent negative CAE test is below, Dec 2023.
In agreement with what our veterinarians and studies have shown, testing the blood for Johnne's is not an accurate way to determine disease within a herd. We instead have chosen to run a fecal PCR for Johne's disease every few years. Fecal testing for the disease is the only accurate way to test for the presence of Johne's disease.
We monitor our herd carefully and do daily health checks on all animals. Any abscesses are treated extremely seriously and result in quarantine and a vet call for fluid to be tested, we have NEVER had a CL+ abscess in our herd. We do test periodically via random sampling.
In agreement with what our veterinarians and studies have shown, testing the blood for Johnne's is not an accurate way to determine disease within a herd. We instead have chosen to run a fecal PCR for Johne's disease every few years. Fecal testing for the disease is the only accurate way to test for the presence of Johne's disease.
We monitor our herd carefully and do daily health checks on all animals. Any abscesses are treated extremely seriously and result in quarantine and a vet call for fluid to be tested, we have NEVER had a CL+ abscess in our herd. We do test periodically via random sampling.
Management Choices
Note: Products and supplements used are at the direction of our veterinarian coupled with our own experiences and research. What works for one herd may not for another, and you should always discuss feed and supplement usage with a vet or expert in small ruminant nutrition.
Our Milkers are fed a variety of grains in their daily milking routine.
Kalmbach HiGain Pellet, Sunflower Seed, and Rice Bran
Daily on the Milk Stand, as much pelleted feed as they want, a cup of BOSS and Rice Bran, we love the EquiJewell brand.
Feed them, and they will grow. Kids!
Free Choice Grain? *Gasp* yep. If they are hungry, they can eat. Our Kids begin getting offered grain at just around a week old and from there as they start to nibble, we let them eat as much hay and grain (and milk) as their hearts desire. We only switch to filling grain twice daily in the fall when the youngest kids are at least 4 months old. We feed our kids Kalmbach Start Right Feed. We use Baycox every 21 days to prevent coccidia blooms
Free-Choice COOL Milk?? YES!
Yep, we lambar raise all our kids. started on a bottle and fed warm colostrum, then free fed warm milk three times daily for around a week. After that? Well, our lambars are filled up with cool milk twice daily and hooked onto the pens for the kids to drink as much as they like. We have never had issues of bloating, over eating or other concerns we have heard in the past. The lambars are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in the evening and ready for the process to repeat the next day.
Bucks
We don't really treat out boys too different, they get the same minerals, free choice Baking Soda, Alfalfa and Orchard hays,. We feed Blue Seal Dairy Pellet 20% to mature bucks. We make sure to give plenty of access to fresh water and free choice hay and that their calcium : phosphorous is as balanced as we can help it. We have never had urinary calculi issues.
Hay, You? Hay!
We feed a consistent supply of Orchard, Western Alfalfa, or a mix! Our most important hay is our Alfalfa for the milkers. It's what they thrive on, even in the hot months and what we feel keeps our herd the healthiest. We would never cut back on the quality of our hays even if the price of it can be outrageous at times. If we have to offer lower quality to maintain our herd size, then it's time for a smaller herd. Just our "two cents".
Minerals, and other Free Choice Products
Below is a list of products we leave out for all of our goats at all times. We firmly believe that these products are consumed as-needed and that they benefit the health of our animals, ensuring they get required vitamins and minerals. Some are higher in protein, some in calcium, etc. Sometimes our goats will go through one extremely fast yet seemingly leave the others alone, we allow them to choose what and how much to eat and trust their bodies know what they're doing.
https://kentfeeds.com/product/energilass-goat/ (Goat Protein tub, Does-Kids)
Duraferm Minerals (Concept-AID Mineral, All Goats Year Round)
https://thornebottomfarm.com/collections/ru-min-pro (All Goats, Top dress weekly)
Thorvin Kelp Meal-on Amazon (Kelp Meal, Does and Kids weekly)
Sodium Bicarbonate aka Baking Soda (All Goats)
Our Milkers are fed a variety of grains in their daily milking routine.
Kalmbach HiGain Pellet, Sunflower Seed, and Rice Bran
Daily on the Milk Stand, as much pelleted feed as they want, a cup of BOSS and Rice Bran, we love the EquiJewell brand.
Feed them, and they will grow. Kids!
Free Choice Grain? *Gasp* yep. If they are hungry, they can eat. Our Kids begin getting offered grain at just around a week old and from there as they start to nibble, we let them eat as much hay and grain (and milk) as their hearts desire. We only switch to filling grain twice daily in the fall when the youngest kids are at least 4 months old. We feed our kids Kalmbach Start Right Feed. We use Baycox every 21 days to prevent coccidia blooms
Free-Choice COOL Milk?? YES!
Yep, we lambar raise all our kids. started on a bottle and fed warm colostrum, then free fed warm milk three times daily for around a week. After that? Well, our lambars are filled up with cool milk twice daily and hooked onto the pens for the kids to drink as much as they like. We have never had issues of bloating, over eating or other concerns we have heard in the past. The lambars are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in the evening and ready for the process to repeat the next day.
Bucks
We don't really treat out boys too different, they get the same minerals, free choice Baking Soda, Alfalfa and Orchard hays,. We feed Blue Seal Dairy Pellet 20% to mature bucks. We make sure to give plenty of access to fresh water and free choice hay and that their calcium : phosphorous is as balanced as we can help it. We have never had urinary calculi issues.
Hay, You? Hay!
We feed a consistent supply of Orchard, Western Alfalfa, or a mix! Our most important hay is our Alfalfa for the milkers. It's what they thrive on, even in the hot months and what we feel keeps our herd the healthiest. We would never cut back on the quality of our hays even if the price of it can be outrageous at times. If we have to offer lower quality to maintain our herd size, then it's time for a smaller herd. Just our "two cents".
Minerals, and other Free Choice Products
Below is a list of products we leave out for all of our goats at all times. We firmly believe that these products are consumed as-needed and that they benefit the health of our animals, ensuring they get required vitamins and minerals. Some are higher in protein, some in calcium, etc. Sometimes our goats will go through one extremely fast yet seemingly leave the others alone, we allow them to choose what and how much to eat and trust their bodies know what they're doing.
https://kentfeeds.com/product/energilass-goat/ (Goat Protein tub, Does-Kids)
Duraferm Minerals (Concept-AID Mineral, All Goats Year Round)
https://thornebottomfarm.com/collections/ru-min-pro (All Goats, Top dress weekly)
Thorvin Kelp Meal-on Amazon (Kelp Meal, Does and Kids weekly)
Sodium Bicarbonate aka Baking Soda (All Goats)