Articles
BE A GOOD BREEDER
By: Morgan
*Published in the Dairy Goat Journal Vol. 90 No. 1, January/February 2012*
*Published in the Dairy Goat Journal Vol. 90 No. 1, January/February 2012*
Over the past couple of years as a dairy goat breeder, I’ve worked with many different people. These various experiences have taught me valuable lessons. The points I’m about to share with you are ones that I’ve learned myself and observed in other breeders. This is by no means a comprehensive list; they are only the ones I consider the most important. It is my hope that through reading this article, you are encouraged to be a good breeder!
1. Be honest. “Provide things honest in the sight of all men.” (Romans 12:17) We know the old adage, “Honesty is the best policy”, but do we follow it-all the time? Do we tell potential buyers that small fault, whether it be in milking or behavior or conformation? Do we share with stud service clients the minor sickness that seems to be floating around our herd? Don’t be worried. Being honest doesn’t mean that you won’t ever have any customers; on the contrary, people will trust you more and feel safer using your services.
2. Be informed. “Wise men lay up knowledge.” (Proverbs 10:14) As breeders in the growing dairy goat movement, it is of the utmost importance that we stay informed. People are quick to notice ignorance; therefore, our lack of knowledge could very well hinder this advance. Reading through one goat-related book a year, talking with other breeders regularly, and subscribing to publications such as the Dairy Goat Journal are good places to start. But being informed can also be useful to you personally. You will be able to recognize quality as well as sickness and unsanitation; not only in your own herd, but also in other breeders’ herds.
3. Be alert. “Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds. And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance of thy maidens.” (Proverbs 27:23, 27) This is the only way to successfully manage a healthy herd. When working with your animals, train your senses to catch anything unusual. Look for lack of appetite, runny eyes and noses, open wounds, broken limbs, dull coats, and dirty bottoms. Listen for coughing, wheezing, teeth grinding, and joints creaking. Feel for tumors, abscesses, and hard udders. Also, our nose does a good job of telling when the barn needs to be cleaned and limed. These skills are very useful when evaluating a potential herd addition or doe for stud service as well.
4. Be careful. “Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee.” (Proverbs 2:11) Being alert is futile if you are careless. Yes, you may notice the puncture wound on your animal; but if you fail to remove the item in its pen that caused the injury, the accident will probably occur again. Therefore, use discretion when deciding which objects will remain or be placed in their pens. Ask yourself these important questions: “Does this item have any sharp projections? Does it have any spaces where a leg could get stuck? Is it sturdy?” Never think, “My goat is too smart to do something like that.” Also, examine all plants in and around their pens regularly to ensure none are poisonous. Never use any type of fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, or rodent killer in or near their pens unless it specifically states that it is safe to use around farm animals.
5. Be sanitary. “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast.” (Proverbs 12:10) Good sanitation doesn’t necessarily mean using anti-bacterial chemicals to disinfect your goats’ living areas; but it does mean using simple methods to keep your goats in an environment that promotes good health. Remember to brush off all bunks and tables daily to prevent your animals from lying in their waste. I have found that raking or sweeping out shelters and liming them regularly is very helpful in keeping the manure from accumulating and the ammonia from urine neutralized. We also routinely scrub our feed and water buckets using a solution of one part water and one part distilled white vinegar. This mixture is an excellent, all-natural disinfectant. Cleaning up any potentially infectious substance, such as diarrhea, and quarantining ill animals are other invaluable ways of discouraging disease. Don’t allow gnats or flies to congregate-thoroughly cleaning the birthing area after each delivery tremendously helps to prevent these pests.
6. Be responsible. “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” (1 Corinthians 4:2) One area that needs to be stressed more in our age of “the flashier, the better” is responsible breeding. As breeders, our first priority should be to improve our breed-even if it means no moonspots, blue eyes, or flashy colors. How devastating it would be if-after all of the time, effort, and money our forerunners poured into improving the dairy goat breeds-we lose efficient milk production and correct dairy conformation to color! On the contrary, look at your herd’s strengths and weaknesses, and seek to balance them out by selective breeding. Then, view any color you happen to create in the process as just a bonus.
7. Be helpful. “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2) Strive to help the most-not the least. Breeders are evaluated by their long-term helpfulness. Cultivate this quality by telling your buyers to contact you if they have any questions or concerns, and even call them a week after the purchase to ensure that everything is going smoothly. When you learn that an individual on your waiting list has already bought a goat, congratulate them and let them know that you’re there to help. If a doe is at your farm for stud service, or a deposit has been placed on a goat; contact the owner on a regular basis to tell them how their animal is doing. You will be surprised at how much they appreciate this effort.
8. Be organized. “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (1 Corinthians 14:40) There is nothing quite so deterring to potential buyers as disorganization. First impressions are often made when viewing websites. Each page should be clearly named while only containing the information it suggests. It is helpful if the registered name of the goat is in bold, and its bloodline organized in a family tree or with a different font size for each generation. All pictures need to be marked. Also, don’t leave your viewers guessing when it comes to which animals are for sale. Ask yourself, “Will a non-goat person be able to easily understand my website?” Always keep your farm neat and orderly because you never know when an unexpected visitor will drop by. When prospective customers do visit your farm, know for sure before they arrive which kids belong to which sire and dam or which certificates go with which adult. Failure in this area may cause them to be uneasy and question their purchase. Give each of your goats their own file, and only put information pertaining to them in it. Record all important information the day it occurs. One of the clearest signs of organization to a buyer is when all paperwork belonging to a goat is given, correct and completed, when it is sold or returned to its owner (such as in stud service).
9. Be professional. “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.” (Luke 6:31) People are impressed by professionalism. This is a fact. A good start in gaining this quality is using correct grammar and pronunciation when writing and talking. Slang words and thick accents can prevent clear communication. Also, be considerate when conversing with the public or new goat owners-they don’t know all the caprine terminology! Take out a book on manners from your local library to be sure you are using proper business etiquette. Be sure to respond to all emails and phone calls even if you don’t have anything available. Never argue with buyers. This can be detrimental to your business. Handle issues calmly and fairly. When in the show ring, be composed and dignified whatever the scorecard reads.
10. Be friendly. “A man that hath friends [and customers] must shew himself friendly.” (Proverbs 18:24) This trait is vital in maintaining a thriving business. Unfriendliness may cause prospective customers to feel intimidated. Remember, the tone in which we respond to emails and answer the telephone is more revealing than we realize. Show genuine interest in other dairy goat exhibitors. This will provide learning opportunities and promote your good reputation. Carefully balance friendliness and professionalism. Sounding too friendly jeopardizes the professional tone; yet sounding too professional jeopardizes the friendly tone.
11. Be up-to-date. “He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much.” (Luke 16:10) Neglected websites are a discouragement to viewers. They cause uncertainty, and therefore need to be updated at least once a month. If any of your contact information changes, be sure to revise it not only on your website, but also on any links. We will never realize just how many customers are lost to us forever due to an incorrect phone number or email address.
Morgan resides in Guyton, Georgia where she raises milk, pet, and show quality Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats on her family’s five-acre farm, Joyful Acres.
DREAMS COME TRUE...
By: Morgan
A cool, late-summer breeze gently sweeps loose strands of hair away from my face while tousling the leafy heads of the trees above me. Clear skies indicate, at least for now, no showers will dampen the picturesque morning. Acorns crunch beneath my rubber boots as our faithful Mini Aussies and I approach the animals’ pens. A chorus of crowing, squawking, and maa-ing greets us-shattering the peacefulness of the new day. This is farm life. My thoughts drift back to the time when this was only a dream…
Our family has always loved animals and the outdoors, but it was only two years ago when sparks of the vision to have a hobby farm began to kindle. The story begins when we had just moved from our home-state of Virginia down to Georgia. We were living at some friends’ vacant house while searching for a home, and it was then that we began to realize our desire for a small farm. Chickens were definite, plus some dairy goats were likely to be in our future as well. My father had been raised in the country with chickens, so they weren’t new to him. But which breed of goat would best suit us? We browsed the internet, and soon became attracted to the Nigerian Dwarf goat. This breed seemed perfect for us due to its small size, yet was still an efficient milk producer; moreover, it looked like there was a market for them.
Our criterion for a home now included at least two acres of land in an area where livestock was permitted! Although the real estate market had plummeted, this significantly narrowed our options. We prayed that God would guide us to the home He had for us.
The intended two-month stay at our friends’ house turned into six as we continued our fruitless search for the “perfect” location. At last, while driving around one evening, the Lord led us to our home. It was just what we wanted and prayed for-a cute white brick ranch on a beautiful five and a half acre lot in a country setting. God continued to manifest His grace as we negotiated the price, worked with the lawyer, and placed the down payment. On December 29th, 2008 we closed on our new home! Praise the Lord!
Each passing month strengthened our dream of having a hobby farm, and in March 2009 we were given, what we were told were, Nigerian Dwarf goats. Although these goats were small, they were from a meat breed background, and we actually sold them a month later; purchasing a purebred Nigerian Dwarf buckling in the process. We drove to Macon, Georgia two days after the sale to acquire a doe which was possibly pregnant.
That same month my father walked into our kitchen one morning holding a small cardboard box. The rest of us were delighted to find ten peeping Rhode Island Red chicks inside! All of them survived (to our great relief…my father kept preparing us for casualties!), and have since escaped from the beaks of death quite a few times. We were even more thrilled when we found out several months later that he had managed to select one rooster and nine hens! Our own fresh eggs began arriving in October 2009.
My father, who is very gifted at agriculture (he has two green thumbs!), decided to use a 1/4 acre plot of our land as a garden. One of our neighbors graciously gave of his time to come over with his tractor and plow the area, along with lending us his tiller. After much sweat, sunburn, and soiled clothes; we completed our first summer garden which included corn, squash, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, and cucumbers-just to name a few. That winter we fully enjoyed our stash of frozen garden goodies!
After five months of expectant waiting, our doe, Holly, never had kids. She had gained some weight, which had been deceiving, because most of us naturally thought she was progressing in her pregnancy. In the meantime we bought another buckling so that when Holly had her kids Sage, our first buck, wouldn’t have to be by himself. Well, when you have a doe that isn’t kidding and two bucks; the possibility for herd growth and milk production is limited! One night I was so discouraged and desperate that during our family devotions, my prayer request was for a free doe.
Two weeks later, while visiting family and friends in Virginia, a family who attended our church there was giving away two Nigerian Dwarf wethers…and a doe! Our sole dilemma: where to put her! Would she fit in our crammed minivan with all six of us plus luggage? The Lord again worked everything out, and reminded us of how we had used a large Rubbermaid container to transport Holly. She and Sage gave us two beautiful bucklings this past May.
Along with goats and chickens, my brother Luke has always had a special affinity for rabbits. He became interested in breeding them after receiving his first rabbit (a mixed-breed) in 2007. Once we were able to maintain a rabbit breeding operation, we decided that the Netherland Dwarf would be the best for him; so for his birthday in April he received a pair of Netherland Dwarf rabbits, Bud and Blossom. He had his first set of babies in May as well.
Our farm has continued to grow, and we’re looking forward to the many surprises that await us this coming spring!
We would like to give a big “thank you” to Hobby Farms Magazine for the opportunity to share our story with you, and for the indispensible information they publish (it’s helped us so much!); and also to all of the people who have graciously given of their precious time and invaluable advice to aid us through starting our farming adventure.
Please visit us online at www.joyfulacresfarm.blogspot.com. “For the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
JOYFUL ACRES FARM
“For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” (Nehemiah 8:10)
*Published in the Dwarf Digest Summer 2010*
Hello, welcome to Joyful Acres! We are a small family farm located in the town of Guyton, Georgia about 45 minutes northwest of Savannah. Along with Nigerians, we raise Miniature Australian Shepherds, Rhode Island Red chickens, and Netherland Dwarf rabbits. We would like to share with you how we became interested in the Nigerian Dwarf goat, how we have come to own four of these delightful animals, and some of our exciting adventures along the way. But most of all, we desire to give you a glimpse of how God has shown His love, faithfulness, and grace throughout our goat breeding endeavor.
To begin with, about five or six years ago, I visited a family whose doe had recently kidded. The kids were so adorable and friendly, and their mother so calm and gentle, that I’ve liked goats ever since. But we started seriously considering dairy goats when my three younger siblings and I learned that if we purchased a goat, bought its food, and took care of it, we could stop drinking rice milk and start drinking goat’s milk. We were completely won over after having some goat’s milk mozzarella cheese.
While our family was trying to decide what breed would be the best for the four of us, we came across the Nigerian Dwarf goat on the internet. We were attracted to the breed because it was small, but still produced a good amount of milk for its size, and it looked like there was a market for them.
One day, a friend of ours told my father that there was someone who was giving away what he said were Nigerian Dwarf goats, one buck and two does. My father was interested immediately. He told our friend that we weren’t able to take the goats right away, and our friend graciously agreed to keep the goats at his farm until we had everything set up. My parents decided to make this a surprise. During the next few days while my eleven-year-old brother, Isaac, and I helped my father fix a dilapidated pen in our backyard I thought, “Daddy must think that we’re going to be getting these goats really soon.”
While renovating the pen, we had to put a new post in for the fencing. We were just about to concrete the post and were drilling the supports into it when my father said, “Morgan, it’s your turn,” handing the drill to me. I took it, as well as the offered screw, and went into drilling position. I pressed the trigger; vrrrrooommm went the drill, plunk! went the screw into the deep hole. “Oh, no,” I thought. “Try again,” my father encouraged. After two sequels of the same story, I looked up at my father. To my great relief, his head was buried in his arm, and his body was convulsing with laughter. My brother and I joined in the merriment. “You do it,” he said, handing the drill to Isaac. My brother, like a pro, finished the job for me.
The pen was hardly completed when a truck with a horse trailer attached pulled into our driveway. My siblings and I were so excited when our friend and my father pulled two does out. The does were skittish, and the buck was wild. Climbing upon the trailer’s wheel, his gleaming yellow eyes glared at me and seemed to indicate that he was not happy with the situation. My father and our friend decided that this buck would be too difficult for us children to handle, so he went off to the market.
After having our two does, who we named Daisy and Fern, for a few weeks, we decided to purchase a buck. We e-mailed a breeder who we had contacted before we had Daisy and Fern asking if she knew anybody who had a buck for sale. We were excited to find out that she had a cute little buckskin buckling who was ready to leave his mother. We agreed on the price, and on our way back from a trip, we picked him up. General Sage is a good-looking buck. He is our Houdini, trying anyway and every way possible (I never knew goats could climb trees!) to get to the ladies-whether they appreciate his presence or not. He has shocked us by his strategies, agility, and perseverance.
Even though our current two does had horns and Sage was a kid, we really didn’t think about problems with putting them together. We got home fairly late that night, and put him in the pen with Daisy and Fern. As we stood around to watch what would happen, Sage did not get a very warm reception. We knew that he probably would get injured if we left him unprotected in the pen with the does. That night my father and Isaac quickly constructed a pen divider. After a few weeks, we realized that things just weren’t going to work. Although Daisy was warming up to us and was kind to Sage, Fern was still very skittish around us and was offensive to Sage. In addition to this, we decided that if we wanted to raise purebred Nigerian Dwarf goats we would have to sell these does. We wanted the does to stay together, so we sold them to a family who had a large herd of goats and just wanted them as pets.
Meanwhile, as we were trying to work everything out with Daisy, Fern, and Sage; I was working with a breeder who had a few Nigerian does for sale. Because we wanted to milk our does in addition to selling their kids, she was helping me pick the best milker. The breeder told us that Holly might be pregnant, since she had been with a buck for nine months. We were excited about this, thinking that we may be having kids soon, and that we could breed the does that she might have with Sage. God was really orchestrating events, because right after we sold Daisy and Fern, she e-mailed me back agreeing on the price I had offered. We drove to get Holly the next day. Sage was elated when a pretty, little doe became his pen mate that evening! Holly is a very sweet doe-calm, gentle, affectionate, and dainty. Although she has never had kids, she has been a blessing to our family. She has been the avenue through which I have learned to trust God more fully. Our family has seen God’s faithfulness and His answers to prayer throughout having her.
After Holly had been at our farm for five months, nothing had really happened. She had gained some weight, which had been deceiving, because most of us naturally thought she was progressing in her pregnancy. In the meantime we bought a cute, blue-eyed, moonspotted buckling for Sage; so that when Holly had her kids he wouldn’t have to be by himself. Colonel Pepper was an answer to prayer, as I was praying for a buckling like him, and is our first goat that we had to bottle-feed. We had so much fun taking turns giving him his bottle, and seeing his little tail wave vigorously from side to side throughout the process. He has a lot of potential, and we are excited to see what he produces.
When you have a doe that isn’t kidding and two bucks, the possibility for herd growth and milk production is limited. One night I was so discouraged and desperate that during our family devotions, my prayer request was for a free doe. A Scripture verse that God put on my heart during that time was Psalm 50:10, “Every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.” So I thought that if God owns “the cattle upon a thousand hills,” He surely owned all the goats “upon a thousand hills” as well.
About two weeks later, while visiting family and friends in our home state of Virginia, we found out that a family who attended our church there was giving away two wethers…and a doe! At first we weren’t sure if we wanted the doe, or, more importantly, if we could fit her into the vehicle, as we were rather crammed already. Our faithful minivan was already holding all six of us and our luggage, but it seemed as though God laid it upon our hearts to take her. He again worked everything out, and reminded us of how we had used a Rubbermaid container to transport Holly.
As we stopped at gas stations on our way back to Georgia, we let Poppy out to stretch her legs. On one of these occasions a man, whose car was parked beside ours, started staring dumbfoundedly at Poppy, and my father and younger siblings who were walking her; as well as glancing at my mother and I who were getting ready to head into the gas station. “I can explain!” my mother said loudly to be heard through his car window. He rolled it down. “We raise Nigerian Dwarf goats; and while we were in Virginia, friends of ours were giving one away for free; and so we’re taking her to our farm,” she clarified. “Ohhh,” the man replied, “it isn’t every day you see a goat at a gas station.” My mother agreed, “It’s evident that other people have thought the same thing.”
With no more excitement, Poppy joined our herd. Although she isn’t registered, we figured that she can provide us with milk; and we can sell her kids for non-registered prices to people who don’t care for a star bloodline or registration papers, but are looking for milk or a pet. She is pregnant by Sage (we don’t think she’s just put on some pounds this time!), having gone into heat two days after we arrived back home. We are looking forward to our first kidding!
We hope that you’ve enjoyed our story, and pray that it has blessed you.
We would like to give a big “thank you” to the Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association and Mrs. Zoda for the opportunity to share our story with you; and also to all of the breeders who have graciously given of their precious time, and invaluable advice to aid us through starting our goat breeding adventure.
If you would like to contact us regarding current animals for sale, please e-mail us at jaf.nehemiah8.10@gmail.com or call us at 540-798-2165.
All for Jesus,
Morgan for our family
GOT GOAT'S MILK?
By: Morgan*Published in the Dairy Goat Journal Vol. 88 No. 3, May/June 2010*
Cow’s milk, goat’s milk, sheep’s milk, horse’s milk-all of these have been used at least at one point down through the centuries. But, interestingly, goat’s milk is the only milk mentioned as drink in the Bible. Although it has been degraded by some misconceptions, it is the most widely used milk in the world. It is not only for those who are allergic to cow’s milk, or have digestive issues; but also for everyone who desires to eat healthy.
Among goat milk’s many health benefits, it is very easy for our bodies to digest. According to the article “Real Milk,” “Children on goat’s milk have been observed to sleep through the night and remain more satisfied between meals.”1 Compared to cow’s milk, which takes two to three hours to digest, goat’s milk can only take twenty minutes! What makes it so easily digestible? Well, its fat globules are one-ninth the size of cow’s milk, making it naturally homogenized. Goat’s milk also doesn’t have the fat-agglutinating protein, which makes fat globules adhere to one another and mass up; and it does not contain the complex protein that stimulates allergic reactions to cow’s milk. Moreover, it lacks a heavy fat content as well as not having mucus producing materials. For those who have lactaid issues, goat’s milk not only contains less lactose then cow’s milk; but also allows it to pass through the intestines quickly, not giving it time for fermentation or for causing an osmotic imbalance.
Goat’s milk has been prescribed by many doctors for certain situations.2 Stomach, colon, intestine, and arthritic like conditions are prevented and treated by goat’s milk.3 It is considered one of the best food medicines for rebuilding the brain, the nervous system, and the mental faculties.4 It also neutralizes acids and toxins. Plus, USDA and Prairie View A&M University in Texas has confirmed that goat’s milk “has more acid-buffering capacity than cow's milk, soy infant formula, and nonprescription antacid drugs.”5 In addition, goat’s milk is rich in antibodies and does not suppress the immune system.
Essential vitamins, minerals, and proteins are contained in goat’s milk. In comparison to cow’s milk; more vitamin A, thiamin, and niacin are found in goat’s milk. Also, it holds more calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine, and manganese then cow’s milk. And, not only does it contain more calcium then cow’s milk, but also it contains a superior form of the mineral. Being the highest source of bioorganic sodium, it prevents symptoms of old age because it makes foods digest properly.6 Moreover, goat’s milk is a rich source of the trace mineral selenium, which is essential for its immune modulation and its antioxidant properties. It contains all essential amino acids, making it a complete protein; and is the dairy product highest in the alkalinizing amino acid L-glutamine--often recommended by nutritionists. In addition to all of this, it is composed of the same properties as mother’s milk.7
It is clear to see the nutritional value of goat’s milk is very high. It is easy to digest, which is one reason why it is prescribed by doctors for certain conditions. Containing a variety of vitamins, minerals, and proteins, goat’s milk is an excellent choice for your family. However, this might mean purchasing a good dairy goat, and all of the care that comes along with her. Please don’t be discouraged, it is possible to raise healthy goats inexpensively. When God told Moses about the land that He desired to give the Israelites, He described it as a “land flowing with milk and honey.”8 “And thou shalt have goats’ milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance of thy maidens.”9
Notes:
1 Rubin, The Maker’s Diet, cited in Rose of Sharon Acres, “Real Milk,” www.roseofsharonacres.com/raw_goat_milk_benefits.
2 Jerry Belanger, Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats (North Adams, Mass.: Storey Publishing, 2001), p. 22.
3 Dr. Robert H. Sorge, “The Amazing Benefits of Goat Milk Products,” www. abundalife.com/goats.asp.
4 Ibid.
5 Rubin, The Maker’s Diet, cited in Rose of Sharon Acres, “Real Milk.”
6 Sorge, “Amazing Benefits.”
7 White Egret Farm, “How Breast Milk Protects Newborns,” cited in Rose of Sharon Acres, “Real Milk.”
8 Exodus 3:8.
9 Proverbs 27:27.
Bibliography:
Belanger, Jerry. Storey’s Guide to Raising Diary Goats. North Adams, Mass.: Storey Publishing, 2001.
Rose of Sharon Acres. “Real Milk.” www.roseofsharonacres.com/raw_goat_milk_benefits.
Sorge, Dr. Robert H. “The Amazing Benefits of Goat Milk Products.” Www. abundalife.com/goats.asp.
Glossary:
Acid-buffering-Lessons the acidity
Agglutinate-Stuck together
Alkalinizing-Neutralizing acids
Amino Acid-Any of the nitrogenous organic acids that form proteins necessary for all life
Antibodies-Specialized cells of the immune system which can recognize harmful organisms that invade the body and kills these foreign invaders
Antioxidant-Any substance that reduces oxidative damage (damage to molecules due to oxygen)
Bioorganic Sodium-A mineral that helps digest food
Complex Protein-A protein that contains a simple protein and at least one molecule of another substance
Homogenize-To process the milk so that the fat particles become so fine that they are evenly dispersed throughout the milk
Immune Modulation-Keeping the immune system responding at the correct level
Lactose-A sugar found in milk
Osmotic Imbalance-An imbalance of the amount of water inside and outside of cells which damages them
USDA-United States Department of Agriculture
