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 …
Goats
One of the essential things dairy farmers should do is test the quality of the milk they produce. So many factors could go wrong and adversely affect the milk, which could lead to severe health risks. That’s why the government controls milk production so strictly. So, how can you test the quality of your milk, …
If you are a goat farmer who milks their herd daily, you quickly learn how much milk to expect from each of your goats, and you immediately notice when one of your goats starts to produce less milk than usual. There are several reasons why a goat may produce less milk. Goats may produce less milk …
I love making goat butter. It’s like a little science experiment in the kitchen that you can do in increments. If you’re observant (and remember what you’ve observed), you can start to see patterns in the process. Each little homestead has its own method based on its goats, milking, and kitchen setup. But is it …
Before going into dairy farming, whether you are doing it on a commercial or homestead basis, it would be beneficial to consider a few essential factors. One of the most crucial factors is the type of farming you choose. A popular choice is going into cow dairy farming, but another option exists, goat farming is …
Dog ownership is fraught with many differing views on almost every aspect, including nutrition. There has been widespread information on the dangers of cow milk for dogs, some scientific and other ‘facts’ based on hearsay, and popular science myths. Many people promote the use of goat’s milk for puppies, but is this a good idea? Goat …
When it comes to the snacking habits of goats, there is an underlying belief that goats have stomachs of steel, and they often get the reputation of being avid eaters of anything put in their path. In reality, there are numerous plants out there that are poisonous to goats. So if you plan on keeping …
How you store hay and feed it to your animals should minimize losses as far as possible while ensuring their nutritional intake is stable. Hay that is not stored well is subject to losing its nutritional value or becoming moldy. Additionally, how hay is fed to the animals will determine the percentage of feed loss …
The goal of a milking parlor is to milk dairy animals efficiently and ergonomically without causing them stress or harm. Ruminants need to spend most of their day resting and eating so they can make milk. They shouldn’t be cramped in holding areas for extended periods because the milking parlor is too small. But how …
The maturity of animals is usually measured by how soon they can or should reproduce. For large-scale farmers, the sooner the animals hit maturity, the better, as it leads to a higher turnover and, hopefully, productivity. However, breeding goats before they are physically mature can lead to kidding problems and higher mortality rates. Goats can reproduce …
Having a goat milking stand set up is extremely convenient if you’re a goat owner. Not only are they perfect for milking your goats, but you can also use them if you need to give your goats shots, trim hooves, perform an ultrasound, or take blood. If you plan on making your goat milking stand …
It is common practice to allow dairy goats some time to rest between lactation and falling pregnant. The rest time the goats have helps them improve their body condition, gain some weight, and prepare for the next milking season. But how do you dry up a dairy goat that keeps producing milk? The most common method …
With dairy goats becoming increasingly popular for homesteads throughout the United States, there are more of us interested in making goat cheese or butter. Besides its unique flavor, goat milk and its dairy products are much easier on human digestive systems. But separating goat cream from the milk takes time and a lot of refrigerator …
Butter is a staple ingredient in many popular dishes, but very few recipes specify that you should use goat or sheep butter. Yet there are many benefits to using these alternatives to cow’s milk butter. But what are the differences between goat and sheep butter? What makes each unique? Goat butter and sheep butter have distinct …
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 …
Goat farming can be a very profitable form of animal husbandry. Goats are lucratively farmed for their meat, milk, or fiber production. At the same time, some are useful for crossbreeding for their prolific kidding. In addition, miniature goats are becoming increasingly popular as pets, creating an opportunity for breeders to profit from certain docile …
Animal husbandry can be an excellent form of income for small- to large-scale farmers. The consumption of animal products has many benefits but potential risks attached to it too. The risks affect animals, farmers, and consumers. But how does animal husbandry relate to the overall health of humans, specifically? Animal husbandry affects human health on several …
Dairy goats have a longer lactation than meat goats. They usually lactate for two hundred and eighty-four days to three hundred days. However, each goat is unique; therefore, the duration of lactation can vary among them. Due to the variations, it is important for the dairy farmer to know his goats and their characteristics. Examining the milk …
Dairy farming is highly dependent on water, including potable, non-potable, and mains water. It hydrates the cattle, cools them down, and cleans the parlor and equipment. And there are the farm workers’ needs too. But what happens when the taps run dry, and operations can’t continue normally? The answer lies in creating a generous backup …
Determining if your goat is pregnant is essential for the appropriate management. If the goat is pregnant, she will need extra food; if she is not pregnant, she will need to be bred again or investigated for pathology. There are several methods to decide if a goat is pregnant, some more scientific than others.Estrous Behavior Can …
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