Managing a goat dairy requires thorough knowledge of the reproductive cycle of goats. It is vital to know when a goat is ready to reproduce and when to expect heat cycles. This knowledge allows the dairy farmer to regulate milk production so that the milk supply can be constant throughout the year. Goat doelings come into …
Farm Animals
Did you know that foot problems account for two-thirds of antibiotic use in sheep? Yet, despite its significance, foot health is often overlooked in sheep. A lame sheep cannot graze adequately and becomes stressed if it is left behind when the flock moves off. A sheep unable to walk to the water trough soon becomes …
Many people know that puppies and kittens like to play, but they are surprised to learn that lambs also play. Stock animals such as lambs, calves, and piglets are not often viewed as playful animals. So it is surprising for some that lambs like to play, and they may want to know what lambs like …
Dairy sheep sometimes reject their lambs, causing a major problem for farmers and shepherds. Lambing is a work-intensive time for shepherds, and having complications with ewes rejecting lambs adds to the general mayhem and exhaustion. It is useful to know what to do if a dairy sheep rejects her lamb. It allows the shepherd to …
The feral sheep of the old world didn’t have much wool. Instead, they had more hair than wool. Through selective breeding over the years, we’ve got a plethora of wooly sheep breeds that are useful for meat and dairy production, too. However, shearing sheep costs money and takes a lot of effort, so sheep farmers …
Having a dairy goat with no horns certainly frees up some space at the feeding trough and saves on fence repairs. We had gorgeous Saanens but kept needing to do a perimeter check (with wire cutters) because they kept getting their heads stuck in the fence. However, my mum insisted we never disbudded the kids …
The Guernsey and Jersey dairy cows are known for producing some of the tastiest milk. But what else do these two breeds have in common, and what makes them unique? What can we learn if we compare these two dairy cows? Who will be the “dairy queen”? The Guernsey and Jersey cows are domestic cattle breeds …
If you want to start farming dairy sheep, you’ll no doubt research the best milk-producing sheep available. But what if you get a cranky ewe with horns? How easy is it to milk a sheep in a milking parlor or a homemade stanchion, and should you get a milk-producing ewe with horns or not? Not all …
Lamb and sheep are the same species; they are both kept and farmed for their meat and wool. Although many will use the word lamb and sheep interchangeably, they are different from each other! So what are the key differences between sheep and lamb? The main difference between sheep and lamb is the age of the …
Sheep are a popular addition to farms, not only for their wool but also for their meat and milk. In the last few years, records show a rise in the popularity of people keeping sheep as pets. Overall, sheep are relatively docile and gentle and often respond well to human interaction. However, some sheep breeds …
Dairy sheep comprise just over a fifth of the world’s sheep population, consisting of 106 original breeds and thousands of cross-breeds. East Friesian and Lacaune sheep are among the highest dairy producers among the world’s nine main dairy sheep breeds. Despite commercial dairy sheep farming being a relatively new agricultural industry in North America, it …
Many socialized sheep thoroughly enjoy being rubbed. There is much evidence on the internet of people petting their blissfully happy pet sheep. But where do sheep enjoy being rubbed the most? It’s certainly something we’d like to know so that we don’t rub them the wrong way. Some sheep enjoy being rubbed on their faces, heads, …
There are many different types of sheep, and not all of them can produce milk that is suitable for making cheese. Only certain breeds of sheep have been bred for milk production, and of these breeds, there is a handful that cheesemakers prefer because they produce the best cheese. Sarda, East Friesian, Lacaune, Awassi, and British …
Alpine and Saanen goats are excellent milk producers and ideal for small-scale dairy farms or backyard farming. Goats’ milk is a suitable alternative to cows’ milk for those who are lactose intolerant. Additionally, farming with dairy goats is more environmentally-friendly than husbandry with cows. But what are the key differences between Alpine and Saanen goats? The …
Close to where I live is a man with his pet sheep, Popeye. The guy raised him from a lamb, and they have a strong bond. When Popeye was a lamb, he’d go everywhere with his daddy. He’d even sit in his backpack, head out, and go for a motorbike ride to the local pub. …
The mention of mountain goats invokes images of surefooted wild beasts perching precariously on cliff faces. Luckily, many domesticated mountain goats won’t need you to have the agility of a professional rock climber to get a glass of milk. But do mountain goats produce milk? Mountain goats are prolific milk producers, but it comes down to …
Mini dairy cows are small-breed dairy cattle half the size of standard milk cows. As the name implies, they are miniature cattle bred to maturity but smaller than full-size cows. The traditional mini cow has an average height of 36 to 42 inches. Still, it is not uncommon to find miniature cattle measuring 36 inches …
Goats, just like cows and other cattle, grant us a wide array of goods according to what they excel at naturally. Some are excellent milk producers, while others are generally raised for their superb meat or skin. Angora goats deliver mohair, a kind of textile fiber used extensively in Turkey and imported to Europe in …
Scrapie tags are an animal identification method that helps trace confirmed and suspected scrapie cases among goats or sheep. It is an identification method and a record-keeping requirement of the National Scrapie Eradication Program (NSEP) and a USDA mandate to eradicate scrapie. Wearing them means the animal, mainly goat or sheep, is afflicted with that …
It looks like an obvious issue, but maybe even the information you have is wrong. Especially if you assume all cows have udders or followed several animations that depict bulls and other male cattle having seemingly similar teats as cows. Here are the interesting facts regarding which cows have udders and various distinguishing features. Table …
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