Here at Peaceful Views - Lange Hobby Farm, our herd is provided with care that ensures health and happiness as well as safety. Our herd has 24/7 access to pasture as well as grass hay on a wall feeder, fresh water and a good brand of loose minerals (Sweetlix Meat Maker or Purina). To produce goats that meet our expectations, we choose to vaccinate our herd (CD&T), dam raise our kids, disbud all kids for safety, test for CAE, CL and Johnes (always negative), give copper bolus annually, and treat with herbal dewormers. If a greater parasite problem arises, that herbs aren't fighting, we will consult our local vet and find a better cure. We do herd maintenance at least every couple months or when we see it needed, which consists of hoof trims, health checks, and brush downs. On sunny days we may take the herd out for a walk to allow more access to forage and browse.
Currently we feed our herd 2nd or 3rd cutting grass hay that we bale ourselves. Most of the year, they all get grain from a local feed store if needed to keep up their body condition except for our bucks and wethers who get a special 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio grain (Purina Goat Grower) to reduce the risk of possible urinary calculi. Pregnant and lactating does get increased grain amounts (with a higher protein) to ensure they get proper nutrients to feed their growing kids. Kids have 24/7 access to higher protein grain through a creep feeder till weaning time. We wean our bucklings from does around 8 weeks to prevent unwanted breedings and castrate all bucklings from unregistered does to become pets only.
Currently we feed our herd 2nd or 3rd cutting grass hay that we bale ourselves. Most of the year, they all get grain from a local feed store if needed to keep up their body condition except for our bucks and wethers who get a special 2:1 calcium to phosphorus ratio grain (Purina Goat Grower) to reduce the risk of possible urinary calculi. Pregnant and lactating does get increased grain amounts (with a higher protein) to ensure they get proper nutrients to feed their growing kids. Kids have 24/7 access to higher protein grain through a creep feeder till weaning time. We wean our bucklings from does around 8 weeks to prevent unwanted breedings and castrate all bucklings from unregistered does to become pets only.