Meat Goat Blog

The Dilemma: To Keep or Sell?

This doe is the perfect example of a goat ranchers' retension decision making process. She is starting to age for breeding purposes. But she routinely raises twins that are healthy and hearty. She has good parasite resistance and an easy keeper. The question of whether to sell her now while she has value or keep rolling the dice to see how many additional years are left is tough. With this one, the decision has been made to keep her and see if we get another set of twins like these. Some does have kids up to 12 or 13 years old, but most stop by 8 years. Only time will tell if this was the right choice.

Does Kid In The Brush

 
A lot of our does kid in the brush and then rejoin the herd with their new kids. This doe was photographed bringing her new baby back to the group. Kidding away from the other goats seems to make sense. Once the kids are just  4 or 5 hours old, many of the mothers have them in the herd.

102 Degrees Change in One Week

If there was ever a doubt that Oklahoma goats need to be adaptable, last week proved it. Temperatures went from minus 22 to 80 degrees in seven days. A temperature change that dramatic means goats have to be ready to adjust quickly. 

The goats prefer the warm weather and I assure you we do!!!

Spring Is Almost Here!!

This doeling is glad to see the sun shine and the snow melt. This kid could melt your heart and the snow!

The Spanish/Kiko Dynamic Duo!

 
Here is the result of our labors, delivered in the middle of a blizzard. These kids were born in Oklahoma's second recorded blizzard warning and with temperatures minus 22 degrees below Zero. Not wind chill below Zero, actual temperature. They are cute even if they are ours!!

LGD's Clean Up After Birth With Good Reason

Some folks find it strange and others almost become sick when they see a LGD clean up the after birth from kidding. It is not the most appetizing picture. But it serves a purpose that protects the herd. The after birth leaves a strong smell for predators and signals weakness in the doe and newly born kids.

The dogs eating the after birth eliminates the oder, thus reducing the natural instincts of coyotes, bobcats, etc. The fewer predators, the fewer the losses. It also means less work for the dogs if predators aren't creeping around looking for the next meal.

LGDs serve multiple purposes from guardian to midwife to wet nurse. It's still fascinating to watch. The dogs carefully watch over the does and the kids and look on with motherly interest on each  new arrival. Clean up is just one more way they keep things properly working.

Deep Snow Makes It Hard To Forage

Two weeks ago, our does were eating some store bought feed, but without much interest. Hay was eaten even slower. After a full week of snow on the ground, the forage must be getting harder to find. The does are waiting for the feed and eating four times as much. They have also started to eat the round bales that were ignored the past three weeks.

As we have pointed out in other posts, does in the last few weeks before kidding require lots of protein to deliver healthy kids and raise them. We feed pretty heavy at this stage and will continue until things turn green. Goats like people need good nutrition for proper development. With everything buried in snow at close to the peak means the does need some assistance.

This is the only part of the year we supplement with grain, but it will easily pay for the feed with the fast growing and healthy kids over the next couple of months.  

First Kid Born In The Snow

Our first kid was born today with snow still on the ground. We just finished the second recorded blizzard warning in Oklahoma history. The reported snow fall was 15 inches and drifts were several feet deep. The wind chills last week were minus 20 below, downright cold.

Fortunately the bitter cold left us for a day or so. Still with snow knee deep in places, the first kid arrived. It looked healthy, but we left it alone. The doe had enough to take care of. She didn't need our interference. We decided not to tag the kid for a few days. The next snow storm is forecast two days from now.

Once the kids start to come, we can expect the majority of the does to kid in the next two to three weeks. Timing is important. Good mothers can take care of the kids in the snow and ice if it doesn't get too cold. But deep cold with the snow can result in losses.

If most the does wait till next week to deliver, the snow should be gone. It is always a humbling reminder as a goat rancher that sudden changes in the weather can hurt your production. For believers in God, it is a good reminder that He is in control and we are not.

Have a good one and stay warm!!

Kidding Time Almost Here; It's Exciting!

Our kids will arrive earlier than last year as per the plan. We could see kids anytime in February with the 15th as a good target. Of course we never know when the does were actually bred so kids may not arrive until March. We are ready to see how this year's crop looks with high expectations. We bred exclusively Spanish/Kiko crosses for 2011 and anticipate lots of healthy, colorful kids roaming the pasture in the near future.

It's always exciting to see your plans and hard work start to come together. We only breed once a year and watching the little ones is great fun as well as gratifying. Can't wait!!