rachels.haven's Journal

[rachels.haven]

No more pigs. They went to a hog farmer around our age about an hour away who likes raising small breed hogs for meat for his family. He has potbelly an kune mixes and missed guinea hogs so he came and got them. We still have meat and fat in the freezer from the two mean gilts though. And two wethers up to 60 lbs ready to go in the fall.

 

[rachels.haven]

I put an automatic waterer float valve on the doe's water. The bucks' valve will come on Saturday and they'll also be all hooked up and that will be our warm weather setup. The tanks will be when we need the thermal mass over the winter.

A friend of mine says regardless of everything it's time to get my does into the show ring. So she's going to haul my butt there the first week of August. So here is who I am bringing. Dot the dry yearling lamancha is mad at me here. Betty is giving me the nubian "well fork you" head bob, and Josie is being herself. Almost done with shaves and ready to go. I still need to clip udders.

Next CAE test mailing was eventful, but I'll spare you the details. I should have results next week if it doesn't get in too late.

 

[Baymule]

They sure look pretty!

 

[Ridgetop]

Hurrah! A dairy goat show! Can't wait to see pix!
The girls look great!

In case you haven't shown before here are some tips from years of dairy goat shows:

Shave the black goats a week before the show so their coat can grow enough to cover the skin - shows darker color off better.

Shave the white/light colored ones a day or so before the show - they will look smoother.

Trim hooves several days before show in case you accidently cut too short.

Shave udders the day before the show with a surgical blade BEFORE MILKING SO THE UDDERS ARE FULL. Less chance of nicking skin if the udders are engorged. You can use hand cream on udders to soothe them after shaving. If goats are in full sun use sunscreen on just shaved goats and udders.

Scrub hooves & use hoof polish on the day of the show.

Spray Show Sheen on rag and polish coats before going in ring - if you spray the goats they will feel oily when the judge feels them.

Remember not to milk the day of the show - you want those udders as full as possible. Udder points are 50% of the judging score. (DD1 forgot at the Fair one year and milked in the am - show was at 1 pm and she was in tears with half full udders.) For those high yielding Lucky Star does you may have to relieve the pressure with a few squirts if the show is late. Don't be surprised if the following day the milk yield drops a bit. Holding the udders full can cause a slight temporary drop in yield.

In the ring, do not stack goat's rear legs too far back. Pinch the rear back and the goat will drop her rear to show off udder and straighten back. If you know the good and bad points of your goat you can draw attention to the good points by gently touching the goat in those areas when the judge looks at you. Don't touch the bad points though! LOL

If your goat gets antsy and jumps around, watch the judge and you can walk her out and back into line to settle her down.

Listen to what the judge says about all the goats. If you have a question, ask the judge after the show to point out what he/she was talking about. They are usually very approachable and helpful.

If the temperature is very high, milk yield can be affected. Make sure the water in the pens if kept cool - add ice if necessary. Some people add Gatorade to the water buckets for electrolytes.

When you win, get a professional photo with the judge and your ribbon - you will want to frame it (and remember the judge that liked your bloodline).

HAVE FUN - DAIRY GOAT SHOWS ARE THE BEST!

 

[rachels.haven]

@Ridgetop , I love your "when you win" optimism. I'll remember all that, and we'll do our best. August 5th is not far away.

 

[Bruce]

No it isn't! That is the day DD1 is getting married.

 

[farmerjan]

@Bruce ; is DD1 the one living in Va? Getting married in Va or in VT?

 

[Baymule]

No it isn't! That is the day DD1 is getting married.

What a wonderful day that will be!

 

[rachels.haven]

No it isn't! That is the day DD1 is getting married.

That's great! You're officially off the hook for coming to the little tiny goat show in Franklin. Sounds like the logistics won't work.

 

[Ridgetop]

Wish I could come! We all need to be there to cheer for you when you accept your trophy!