tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post6820700905442313830..comments2023-11-02T05:18:38.925-05:00Comments on Antiquity Oaks: Join us for a visit with Margaret HathawayDeborah Niemannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10754242197245805551noreply@blogger.comBlogger65125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-46210227597118534742009-12-12T08:22:34.314-06:002009-12-12T08:22:34.314-06:00I'm a retired engineer living with dairy goats...I'm a retired engineer living with dairy goats for 3 years. I recently discovered "The Year of the Goat" and enjoyed it...I felt I was traveling along with you. A very good read! I love my goats! I'll have to follow-up with Margaret's new book, Living with Goats. Much success!<br />Jennysheepyhollowhttp://sheepyhollow.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-22504789143742022022009-12-04T18:14:05.756-06:002009-12-04T18:14:05.756-06:00I'm sorry I missed out on all the fun yesterda...I'm sorry I missed out on all the fun yesterday. I found your blog thru The Year of the Goat. Which had been lent to me by a friend after we just started a small farm ourselves with 4 goats and at least 150 chickens! I had sent you an email which you refered me here- and I can't wait to learn from the both of you. I would love to win Living with Goats to learn some more. Looking forward to reading what happens over there on Antiquity Oaks!Kristinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04183798807281659784noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-80134342186822677262009-12-04T16:27:16.066-06:002009-12-04T16:27:16.066-06:00Joyce -- It's great that you have your first t...Joyce -- It's great that you have your first two goats! You didn't see today's story about Pearl's adventure, did you? Although goats do have a reputation for getting themselves into trouble, Pearl is especially troublesome.<br /><br />Hrist -- You're not too late. The deadline for the drawing is midnight tonight central time, so you're entered!<br /><br />Angie -- Welcome to the blog! How exciting that you're planning a move to the country.<br /><br />Jordan -- I popped over to your blog for a quick visit and noticed you're an engineer. So is my husband, and he loves farm life. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your goatie dreams as they become reality!<br /><br />Debra -- Great to hear from you. Glad to know you're still thinking about goats.Deborah Niemannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754242197245805551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-21459574471554766572009-12-04T14:12:08.786-06:002009-12-04T14:12:08.786-06:00I would love to own a copy of "Living with Go...I would love to own a copy of "Living with Goats"! I'm still a city-girl, but I've been trying to educate myself on all things GOAT for the last couple of years in preparation for a move to the country in the next few months. I'll need a resource for next year when I'll start my herd!Debra Bultnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-54729028083106541212009-12-04T11:09:38.963-06:002009-12-04T11:09:38.963-06:00Hello - Happen to see a question about resources f...Hello - Happen to see a question about resources for carting/packing goats. Working goats happens to be the one thing I know, so I thought I'd drop in and add some links!<br /><br />Books on packing - https://www.caprinesupply.com/shop/?page=shop/browse&category_id=74309f922f7e3e8e737d091b78d88ada&ps_session=06b6a3a5ff31995a9e8ddb526692d1f4<br /><br />Book on carting - http://caprinesupply.com/shop/?page=shop/browse&category_id=80d9dda8b8155be79134bf593cf303fb<br /><br />Online resource - carting - http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/group/workinggoats<br /><br />Hope this helps!<br />WorkingGoats4Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-13514832041075324342009-12-04T09:34:35.206-06:002009-12-04T09:34:35.206-06:00Hi Deborah and Margaret,
Long time lurker; first ...Hi Deborah and Margaret,<br /><br />Long time lurker; first time commenter on Deborah's site. <br /><br />I am a future homesteader / market farmer currently living and working in Chicago while we fix up our farm in Southwest Wisc during weekends and vacations (and save money). We plan to move in March 2011. <br /><br />Just last night, I borrowed a copy of The Year of the Goat from my instructor at the Farmer Training class (http://www.learngrowconnect.org/what/training/stateline) and started it on the El (Chicago subway) to work this morning! I was excited to see you are commenting on Deborah's site!<br /><br />I'd love to win either book. You both have inspired me greatly to choose to follow my dreams. For that I thank you!angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10580426976030683874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-82232635743683074372009-12-04T07:34:32.029-06:002009-12-04T07:34:32.029-06:00I just found this blog a few weeks ago from anothe...I just found this blog a few weeks ago from another homesteading blog, and I'm loving it! I'm a former city girl. Bought some land and a house a year ago and am trying to start a goat business. My blog is at: http://bluehillstead.blogspot.com/<br />I'd love to win either book, and I suspect I'll buy what I don't win!<br />Thanks, JordanJordanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05712893867575841432noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-6351913145839855692009-12-04T06:33:06.179-06:002009-12-04T06:33:06.179-06:00Good morning! I fell asleep early while snuggling ...Good morning! I fell asleep early while snuggling with the kids last night (so so common around here), but I'll be checking in today, so keep the questions coming! Deborah, that's such an amazing coincidence that we were there when you were beginning to figure out your herd's copper issues! I love that photo--it really shows what teamwork you have to have with your vet when you're raising goats.<br /><br />Joan, I think if you start out with a curious mind, writing is actually much easier to learn on the job than farming. For someone who is scientifically minded, veterinary or animal science would be a great way to go. There are a lot of examples of people who have turned large animal science into elegant prose--from James Herriott to Temple Grandin. (Of course, there are just as many poets who've dealt with agriculture. And I suppose that Virgil probably trumps these guys....)<br /><br />Hrist, have you looked at the book The Pack Goat, by John Mionczynski? It's more about packing than harnessing, but it's a great resource. And I know that Karl found some plans for a goat cart online, I believe through Cornell University. If I remember correctly, they had a few pages on their website for 4-H clubs that wanted to build goat carts. Generally, people use dairy wethers for packing and cart racing, and for best results, they start training them as soon as they're weaned. It's a fun project--good luck!Margarethttp://www.tenapplefarm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-16290587258830262232009-12-04T02:53:25.793-06:002009-12-04T02:53:25.793-06:00Sorry I missed the guest blogger, but reading thro...Sorry I missed the guest blogger, but reading through all the questions and answers was wonderful. I recently purchased two dairy goats after being inspired by you Deborah, looking forward to my own milk and cheese in the spring. I would love a copy of The Year of the Goat.<br />JoyceJoycenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-50780408166221319182009-12-04T01:09:32.135-06:002009-12-04T01:09:32.135-06:00I would love a copy of Living with Goats, if I'...I would love a copy of Living with Goats, if I'm not too late!<br /><br />I am anxiously awaiting the day that I get to leave the city (at least another year and a half until I finish school!) and I've been researching like mad. One thing I'd like to eventually try is training goats to pack or pull a cart, but I've had next to no luck finding resources - any suggestions on books or websites with guidelines for training, making/buying harnesses, picking a trainable goat, etc?Hristhttp://www.canttalkdyeing.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-20876497160265289762009-12-03T22:28:24.611-06:002009-12-03T22:28:24.611-06:00WG4 -- Hmm ... she was one of the goats that misca...WG4 -- Hmm ... she was one of the goats that miscarried towards the end of her pregnancy. But since you don't breed her, her copper status should be fine now, unless you have sulfur in your water. Even then, since she doesn't have the added stress of pregnancy, it's probably not a big deal. From all the reading I've done, talking to scientists who've actually studied copper, I think their need for copper goes up during pregnancy, so I doubt she'd be at a dangerously low level. However, if you're worried about her, give me a call. I've published a couple articles about copper in Ruminations. I should reprint them on my website.<br /><br />Joan -- I think she should become a vet, but that is a totally selfish request. We could use more vets who love goats! I have to drive 1-2 hours in an emergency to see a vet who knows anything about goats, which is why I've had to learn to handle most things myself. There is a huge shortage of large-animal vets in this country.Deborah Niemannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754242197245805551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-51001471842799994442009-12-03T22:02:50.799-06:002009-12-03T22:02:50.799-06:00Hi Deb & Margaret,
Thanks for today's visi...Hi Deb & Margaret,<br />Thanks for today's visit! I've enjoyed reading the blog postings. I already have both of Margaret's books and loved them. So, my question is, for a young person starting out who has stengths in writing, and who is also good at science, AND who eventually wants to have a sustainable farm -- what should the focus be in college? Develop the writing formally and learn about the farming "on the job", or study sustainable farming in college and develop writing skills from the heart and through experience? Either way has it benefits. I don't think there's a right or wrong way of proceeding. I'd be interested in what you'd suggest. Thanks so much!<br /><br />Joan S., ILAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-78362754168057030172009-12-03T21:57:46.842-06:002009-12-03T21:57:46.842-06:00Deborah,
Saw that you mentioned goat's coat f...Deborah,<br /><br />Saw that you mentioned goat's coat fading with a deficiency. That makes me wonder.......<br /><br />For the two winters I've had Beauty, her coat has lightened in the winter. When the spring comes and she gets in the sun, she turns back to her natural brownish black. <br /><br />When this happens, I begin to worry, but they spring comes and she's back to normal. Did she do this for you? Is it like tanning - when she doesn't get a lot of sun, her hair lightens? Any thoughts on this? <br /><br />Thanks!<br />WG4Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-57733816835111649222009-12-03T20:12:16.252-06:002009-12-03T20:12:16.252-06:00Sweetlix is an excellent mineral, but sulfur binds...Sweetlix is an excellent mineral, but sulfur binds with copper and makes it harder for some goats to absorb enough of it. Unless you have sulfur in your well water or you live within 50 miles of a coal-fired power plant (deposits sulfur on pasture), that shouldn't be a problem. If you push a lot of alfalfa, which is high in molybdenum, that can also bind with the copper. Symptoms of copper deficiency include fading of the goat's coat (gold goat turning white), a scissor tail (no hair on the tip of the tail), shedding hair or balding on the face (usually only in spring), and all sorts of reproductive problems, including no heats and failure to get pregnant or stay pregnant.<br /><br />I lost several goats to copper deficiency and was running about 20-25% aborted pregnancies and late-term miscarriages before I knew enough to demand to have a dead goat's liver tested. Four different vets told me copper deficiency was impossible. Normal copper is 25-150 ppm in the liver, and that goat had 4 ppm! Even then, the vet refused to give me prescription copper -- said it was an isolated case, even though several other goats had classic symptoms. So, I get calf boluses and divide them into smaller capsules. In two years, I've had one goat give birth early (and she had not been bolused), so essentially, the reproductive problems have disappeared.<br /><br />Funny coincidence that I'm talking about this today: On page 119 of Living With Goats, there is a picture of me holding a goat while the vet draws blood. She was my first goat to have trouble getting pregnant, and that particular vet had no answer other than to give her hormones. It didn't work, of course. Isn't it funny that Karl and Margaret happened to be visiting at that time, and Karl got a picture!Deborah Niemannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754242197245805551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-72506839286096395432009-12-03T18:48:06.315-06:002009-12-03T18:48:06.315-06:00Deborah, how do you know which goats need the coop...Deborah, how do you know which goats need the cooper bolus? We also use sweetlix minerals.momanna98https://www.blogger.com/profile/02969367313762718422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-23833093857452840592009-12-03T18:23:27.013-06:002009-12-03T18:23:27.013-06:00Claire -- most goat people don't use blocks be...Claire -- most goat people don't use blocks because goats don't have very rough tongues, so some goats can't get enough of the minerals. Problem #2 with blocks is that some animals get so desperate, they can chip a tooth trying to get the minerals off. And then I just remembered I met a lady from Iowa at the Bishop Hill Fiber Guild Spin-In a few years ago. She raised angoras and said she had to give supplemental copper when they were on a well, because there was so much sulfur in the water. Once they got hooked up to city water, it wasn't a problem any longer. We need to give copper boluses to some of our goats because of the sulfur in our well water. Not all of them need it, but some definitely do. We use Sweetlix loose minerals, which is enough for some of them.<br /><br />One vet told me that coccidia don't always show up on fecals, so if you've got Dimethox or Albon in your medicine cabinet, you might try it for five days and see if that helps.<br /><br />Someone once told me that messy poops are caused by a magnesium deficiency, but I was never able to find any info on that, so . . . ?Deborah Niemannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754242197245805551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-20647735763070351862009-12-03T18:10:08.581-06:002009-12-03T18:10:08.581-06:00Thanks! I will try the electrolyte solution. Hav...Thanks! I will try the electrolyte solution. Haven't done that yet. The vet isn't sure what is causing the problem. There is a shortage of large animal vets in Iowa and some are not incredibly knowledgeable about goats. Ours is moderately knowledgeable but still we are learning together. He does have a mineral block (we have tried 2 different brands) and both have had copper. I hope it's not that, but will look into it also.<br />Thanks for all the great info today!Claire MWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02603169881463831299noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-68272767852376514632009-12-03T17:29:42.690-06:002009-12-03T17:29:42.690-06:00oooh I would love "Living with Goats" S...oooh I would love "Living with Goats" Squeeee!<br /><br />Great post, thanks for sharing.SkippyMomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09479661523059481730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-2270682127239864722009-12-03T17:12:50.340-06:002009-12-03T17:12:50.340-06:00Hi Anne, I can't tell you how touched I am by ...Hi Anne, I can't tell you how touched I am by your email--it means so much to hear a story like yours. I'm so glad to hear that you stuck with your goat dreams, and I love that our journey has been a part of yours. I wish you all the best with your critters, and many blessings in your life!Margarethttp://www.tenapplefarm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-24855198156033815412009-12-03T17:06:44.409-06:002009-12-03T17:06:44.409-06:00Hi CattyJackie! Wasn't it a glorious day? It w...Hi CattyJackie! Wasn't it a glorious day? It was 64 degrees at our place and all the critters were a little disoriented (me included). If you're ever interested, we do home cheese making workshops at the farm--we'll be posting the Spring 2010 schedule to our website soon. And we always welcome visitors, if you want to stop by for a little goat love!Margarethttp://www.tenapplefarm.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-431741465270279952009-12-03T16:23:35.924-06:002009-12-03T16:23:35.924-06:00So glad that Margaret is your guest on this blog. ...So glad that Margaret is your guest on this blog. Loved "Year of the Goat" and would love to win the second book.Heatherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11979209082140964109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-72352850183299019542009-12-03T16:16:05.844-06:002009-12-03T16:16:05.844-06:00Year of the Goat was very inspiring to me and I re...Year of the Goat was very inspiring to me and I read it at a very difficult point in my life. I had built a barn and acquired a few Nigerian Dwarf goats, but couldn't qualify for a construction loan so I was homeless and lived in a tent, in my van, in motels for 10 months. Held tight to my dream of farm living. Now have a 24 x 32 home built by a dear friend(mortgage free). First kids due this spring. I want to play with cheesemaking. Also have chickens and 2 alpacas. It's not easy on a waitress's wages..I'm not rich, but my life is. Just want to say your book Year of the Goat helped me to keep the dream alive! Thankyou so much! Would love a copy of Living with Goats. <br />,Annenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-33960359833780947512009-12-03T15:41:00.114-06:002009-12-03T15:41:00.114-06:00I too live in southern Maine, it was a beautiful w...I too live in southern Maine, it was a beautiful warm day after all. <br />I would love to have a couple of goats on our land. I've always wanted to be able to make my own goat cheese and it would be wonderful to have the fiber. I would love to win either book, they both sound wonderful. Thank youCattyJackienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-35345340256649539392009-12-03T15:31:03.955-06:002009-12-03T15:31:03.955-06:00Teri -- We tried Hoegger's herbal dewormer fou...Teri -- We tried Hoegger's herbal dewormer four or five years ago, and it seemed to work at the time. However, it doesn't work any longer for us. I've read that parasites don't get resistant to herbal dewormers, although I don't see why not. They certainly become resistant to chemical dewormers. I've started using Molly's, and it seems to work. I've also tried DE and Basic H, with mixed results. The Basic H definitely works as a fly repellent, so if an animal ever gets injured, you can spray that on the wound to avoid fly strike (maggots).<br /><br />Momanna -- "Cull" just means to eliminate an animal from your herd. In our case, we sell them. Not good enough for us doesn't mean that they aren't good enough for other people. Goats with teats that are too short for us generally went to people who machine milked, so size didn't matter to them. I know someone who bought a finished champion and then returned her because her teats were too short for her to milk, although the original owner had no problem milking her. Obviously that doe was beautiful in many ways; she just had short teats, which are only worth 4-5 points (out of 100) on the scorecard. That's why I recommend that people buy goats from a herd that has similar goals. I bought a "cull" from that same breeder, because her emphasis was on show, although she had some excellent milking lines in her barn. Five years later, that doe is my best milker and brood doe, but she was last every time she walked into the show ring. I could go on with examples, but you get the idea -- not everyone defines a "good" goat the same way.Deborah Niemannhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10754242197245805551noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21054991.post-21228052945896310172009-12-03T14:56:59.740-06:002009-12-03T14:56:59.740-06:00Margaret, thanks for the tips. I am working on my ...Margaret, thanks for the tips. I am working on my husband to try and get him to accept chickens. We live on 1/5 an acre but I still can find room for a coop and run that would suit. I think, in time, I will have my chickens. We would have to move for any other livestock so I am saving all my wants to get the place of my dreams, just enough acreage to be sustainable.<br /><br />I have a lot of homework to do first though.BJ Gingleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02816781442671196760noreply@blogger.com