Hello from Southern California!

[mintty]

Hi! My boyfriend and I started growing a goat and sheep herd the beginning of this year and have a ton to learn! We also have a flock of chickens and sometimes ducks as well. His family comes from a line of sheep farmers in Iran, and I have over 10 years professionally in animal care, so we feel this is something we can really get into and learn to do right. We have a Great Pyrenees mix puppy and we’re researching how to best train her and are actively seeking a trainer if anyone knows one local to me.

Our long term goal is not only to enjoy how wonderful these animals are, but also hopefully start breeding and selling goats/sheep, putting an emphasis on ADGA registered goats. I’d love to give them to people who show them, kids who are in FFA or 4H, or want them as pets. If given a good, happy life I’m okay with selling meat goats/sheep knowing that they have had a better life than most animals in our food. Same mindset is held for chickens. I believe that there is something special about how animal husbandry connects us with our planet, deepens our understanding of the circle of life, and enriches our communities in our shared love for animals around us.

I’ve used Backyard Chickens before and had no idea this was the sister site! BYC was invaluable to me as a resource when I got my first chickens. I’m excited to learn what you all can teach me here about how to make sure I’m doing things right for goats/sheep, and how to navigate the hurdles as they come.

If you have any resources you think I’d benefit from please, please send them my way!

 

[Baymule]

Welcome to the forum. BYH forum is a resource, pick an animal, like your goats, there are 7 topics under goats. Pick a topic and start reading. If you have questions, ask them. I learned so much here just by reading past posts.

 

[SageHill]

OMG well welcome @mintty from ............. So Cal

The folks here on BYH are wonderful and great sources of help and inspiration.
Sheep, chickens and working dogs here in Valley Center. Where abouts are you?

 

[mintty]

OMG well welcome @mintty from ............. So Cal

The folks here on BYH are wonderful and great sources of help and inspiration.
Sheep, chickens and working dogs here in Valley Center. Where abouts are you?

Hi neighbor! We’re in Ramona! I technically live in San Marcos but spend most of my time there on the farm and plan to hopefully move in with him eventually
What kind of working dogs do you have?

 

[SageHill]

OMG that is neighbors!!! ROTFL we probably shop at the same Costco. I get some of our feed from Elston Hay and Grain in Ramona.
My dogs are all Belgian Laekenois ages 2 to 12. They're curly Belgian shepherd (Tervuren, Sheepdog/Groenendahl, Malinois are the other three). I use them for chores and mostly moving grazing the sheep to different areas on the ranch. They are good at being fences when there is no fence. That and their motto is no sheep left behind .

 

[mintty]

OMG that is neighbors!!! ROTFL we probably shop at the same Costco. I get some of our feed from Elston Hay and Grain in Ramona.
My dogs are all Belgian Laekenois ages 2 to 12. They're curly Belgian shepherd (Tervuren, Sheepdog/Groenendahl, Malinois are the other three). I use them for chores and mostly moving grazing the sheep to different areas on the ranch. They are good at being fences when there is no fence. That and their motto is no sheep left behind .

Oh nice!! Haha we probably do shop at some of the same places. We frequent kahoots and tractor supply usually.

I’m slowly going through all the pages here about LGDs and herding dogs. There’s so many tools and tips! Did you train your dogs yourself or buy them trained? Any wisdom you’d like to pass on? it’s a lot!

 

[SageHill]

Oh nice!! Haha we probably do shop at some of the same places. We frequent kahoots and tractor supply usually.

I’m slowly going through all the pages here about LGDs and herding dogs. There’s so many tools and tips! Did you train your dogs yourself or buy them trained? Any wisdom you’d like to pass on? it’s a lot!

Yes, I train my own dogs - on a much different style than others train, and I do have herding students that are training in a more traditional style.
I train and teach to get the job done, teamwork - vs a more dictator type style. I don’t care to work with dogs that have EXTREMELY HIGH prey drive. I start pups young and use a lot of praise. Don’t get me wrong though - as there is a time for correction as well.
I’m also an AKC and AHBA herding test and trial judge. Been doing the dog and sheep thing since ‘82. In my mind a rancher doesn’t have the time to spend training dogs like many who train for sport. Ranchers need to get the job done.

 

[Mini Horses]

Welcome from the East Coast, Virginia. I raise goats -- dairy & meat. I'll mention LGDs and herd dogs are totally different in mindset. You have an LGD. Both are great, different purposes.

So ask any questions....lot of goat, sheep, cattle & dog people. Most of us have pets/favorites but, breed for use & sale. Your young, lot of time to learn.