Welcome! I come here WAY more often than BYC. I like the mix of people and I learn so much. I guess after a few years of chickens, I’ve settled into my patterns. With my pigs/goats/lambs/LGDs, there’s always something to learn here. Plus, I love the sense of community here.
Welcome from Texas! First-time deliveries are so nerve-wracking! I had my first babies this spring (goats). I haven’t had the pleasure of lambing yet, but many others can advise.
Welcome! It’s so great to read your enthusiasm - I have to agree, goats are fabulous! I haven’t tried milking yet, but I had a very happy first kidding season this year (thanks to BYH guidance and support!). Many people will be able to offer you advice though.
I did the blue barrel route, but without @Baymule’s wise guidance above. One nipple installed perfectly, but one has a small leak that has defied all of my sealing attempts. My issue, however, is my pigs just won’t use the nipples. I’ve slathered on peanut butter, marshmallows, jelly, etc: they...
Congratulations! The first animal is so exciting (and nerve-wracking!). It sounds like you’re doing everything right to try and learn as much as you can. I know nothing about alpaca care, so I’ll leave that to the knowledgeable folks here. Just wanted to welcome you.
My sheep love whole roasted (unsalted) peanuts. They’ll even try to take them from the pigs’ mouths if they can! (everyone loves peanuts and come running at the crinkle of the bag).
In January, I got triplet Barbados Blackbelly ewes. They were 10 days old, so I was bottle feeding them all for weeks! It was quite an experience. They are so sweet. Yesterday I picked up a dorper/Katahdin ram lamb that was born premature and orphaned. He’s 3+ weeks old now (they waited to...
I have 3 barbado ewes, now 4.5 months old and former bottle babies. I’ll be taking in a 3 week old dorper/Katahdin ram ... because I’m a sucker for baby animals! While I used powdered formula without issue with the ewes, he’s been on a milk/buttermilk mix that I’ll continue. Couple questions...
I appreciate it. Like all good caretakers, I researched how to give pigs shots...and read too many horror stories of needles breaking off in fighting pigs. Spooked me, I suppose. I copies your guidance to my notes for future use. Thanks again!
Thanks for your insight! Last night, she was breathing a bit fast, and she did seem to have a bit of a “Sigh” at the end of breaths (she was lying next to her sister, who I used as my reference). She was less interested in food yesterday, but still eating. I started oral amoxil/clavulanate...
I have an 18month old Kunekune sow who was healthy as can be til yesterday: developed sudden, harsh bouts of dry cough. Reminded me of when I get some dust in the throat when shredding a field. Just harsh and dry cough. She was acting fine, eating, no fever. Several hours later she was still...
Few people (outside of BYH!) understand the joys of working your land and caring for animals (my husband certainly doesn’t!). I retired a few years ago from a suburb of HOUSTON! No farm knowledge or experience at all. I now have 17 Nigerian goats (plus my last doe is due any day now!), 40ish...
Has anyone tried Quikstrike fly bait? I’m thinking I could put it in my feed room in my goat barn, so no animal could get to it, but hopefully bring down the numbers some.
I’m going to try the fly predators (I reached out to Arbico last week but no answer on their 800 number, and no response by...