Herd Health Goals
Our Management Practices
Here at Frosted Pines Farm we strive to raise goats with hearty immune systems (which includes parasite resistance). We treat most health issues herbally, but our main goal is to have a herd that rarely has health issues that need any treatment at all, conventional or herbal. I feel we've culled our herd down to some pretty decent and hardy stock and will continue that process each year. As you will read further on this page, we like to have a healthy balance of "management" and hands-off. Of course everyone manages their herd differently, and they should! Find what works for you, your land, and your needs!
Why Natural?
As with most farming aspects, our feed program and other health regimens will sometimes evolve and change as we figure out what works best and then balancing effectiveness with economy, but it's a fun and exciting adventure.
Parasites and Herbs/Essential Oils
We have found herbs and EOs to be great tools in our toolbox against parasites. We are thankful to be a part of reducing the effects of chemical dewormer resistance. An added benefit with using natural dewormers is no worry about withdrawal times (milk or meat).
Proverbs 27:23-27 - "Be you diligent to know the state of your flocks, and look well to your herds. For riches are not for ever: and does the crown endure to every generation? The hay appears, and the tender grass shows itself, and herbs of the mountains are gathered. The lambs are for your clothing, and the goats are the price of the field. And you shall have goats' milk enough for your food, for the food of your household, and for the maintenance for your maidens."
The adult does are each individually hooked up at chore/feeding times so I can customize and monitor their feed intake on an individual base. Lactating does are fed based on how many kids they're nursing and how their body condition score is. As a general rule, nursing does receive 2-4lbs of the dairy ration plus Chaffhaye. Does that are nursing triplets and heavy milkers will need more than a doe nursing a single. Dry does usually get very little grain/alfalfa (less than a pound a day). After they're a couple months bred, their ration is very gradually increased and their body condition score is regularly monitored and ration adjusted, as needed.
Feeding Our Does
Generally our mature bucks eat about 3-4lbs/day (each) of 16% grain, plus some Chaffhaye (2024). Ranger is on as much feed as he'll eat, since he's growing AND has been working.
Buck's rations will vary depending on the individual buck's needs. Bucks take quite a bit of calories to grow big, but we are very careful to select bucks that don't require 10lbs of grain a day to grow and maintain weight!
Feeding Our Bucks
Feeding Our Kids
Kids are creep-fed on grain and Chaffhaye, beginning around 1-2 weeks of age until around 6-12ish months.
In the Spring, Summer and Fall, we move some of the goats around our property so they can eat mineral-rich twigs, leaves, weeds and grass. We supplement that with 1st and 2nd cutting grass hay.
Forage
Our Feed Program
We feed a 16% protein textured, semi-sweet dairy ration and also use Chaffhaye (or Alfahay, depending on availability/cost).
Grain/Chaffhaye
A breeding program starts a long time before the actual act of breeding happens. We want our breeding pair to be of appropriate size and health before entering into the breeding pen. We like to make sure they're up-to-date on any selenium or copper needs and no parasite load to fight against.
We breed by size, rather than age (though that does have SOME consideration, of course). Does must be big enough to carry and birth kids without harm to their own bodies. Bucks must be able to be big enough to cover a mature, potentially-bossy hormonal doe.
Pre-Breeding
Breeding, Pregnancy and Kidding
In peak breeding season (Fall), we watch our does carefully for heat signs and if it's time to breed them, then they usually go to the buck's pen for 24 hours. In the warmer breeding months, they usually need to be put in with the bucks to catch any heats. We usually blood test approximately 30 days after breeding. We like to have due dates for our girls to make late-gestation supplements and grain ration adjustments easier (plus we like to be on-hand for each kidding).
Breeding
Kidding
In late gestation, each doe is watched carefully for signs of pregnancy toxemia, (though we haven't had a case yet). To avoid toxemia, we try to keep our does in optimum body condition, year-round (it is common in Boers for them to be over-conditioned/fat).
Since we live in a selenium deficient area, each doe is given a selenium/vitamin E gel supplement.
After the doe gives birth, she is given an herbal tea of supportive herbs in warm water with black strap molasses. I have noticed that our does typically pass their placenta VERY quickly after getting their post-delivery tea!
We started herbal deworming not long after we bought our first set of goats in 2012. We started with Molly's Herbals dewormer, but we now use Kristie Miller's Land of Havilah Parasite Formula. We couldn't be happier with the quality and formula of her blend!
We used to drench each goat individually, but that got tedious as our herd size grew. In 2016 I decided to try making a tea (that I add to their water buckets) out of the herbal blend instead of drenching each goat individually. It has been a effective, time-saving move for us!
Deworming
Deworming, Supplements and Minerals
A good, high-quality loose mineral has got to be one of a goat-farmers very best friend! A mineral deficient goat is going to be MUCH more susceptible to EVERYTHING (parasites, viruses, fungi, bacterias, etc).
We use the SweetLix Meat Maker (no Rumensin) for a loose mineral. We occasionally copper bolus, as needed. We also supplement with selenium gel, since we live in a selenium deficient area.
Minerals/Supplements
Vaccinations
We have had issues with Clostridium perfigens type D in the past (2021) and so have selected to vaccinate using the CDT vaccine.