BubbaTanicals

Archive for the ‘Goats’ Category

A couple months ago I was approached by the Standlee Hay Company to conduct a series of product reviews for some of their hay feed products. I was provided with a $120 dollar voucher to purchase and conduct an unbiased evaluation of several products for use on our farm. We chose to evaluate their alfalfa hay pellets, alfalfa hay cubes, and shredded beet pulp products.

After several weeks of using the products, we have come to the conclusion that Standlee produces what anyone would consider to be a premium forage product. In short, we were impressed.

We have used beet pulp for years, and have generally felt pretty good about the quality of the product that we get from the feed store. To our surprise, the Standlee beet pulp product stood out immediately as soon as we opened the bag. It smelled noticeably richer and fresher than we were used to. It was also a darker color and consisted of larger flakes. This seems to infer that Standlee uses higher quality beet shavings and uses more molasses in the manufacturing process than other brands.

Both the alfalfa hay cubes and alfalfa hay pellets were used interchangeably. Neither of these products should be fed straight out of the bag, but rather soaked in warm water to soften them up before feeding. We feed native alfalfa hay already, so our animals had no problem making a transition to a mix of whole forage and commercially refined forage product. We observed that both products were bright green and fresh smelling. Of the two, we were really surprised how much alfalfa actually is packed into the pelleted feed. In fact, if we were to recommend only one product from them, it would probably the alfalfa pellet. A cup of alfalfa pellet expands to nearly the volume of a full scoop after soaking in warm water.

Based on our experiences with with evaluating these products, we were very pleasantly surprised by the quality and value of the Standlee Hay feeds, even at the higher price point that a premium feed generally sells for. We had no problems with any of our animals while on the feed. If you’re considering a commercial forage-based feed, we can tell you from experience that the Standlee product line would be worth looking into.

Chik-Fil-A and Worming your goats!

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BubbaCast #80 [ 1:02:46 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Music: Peterson Farm Bros – Farming and I Grow it Watch the Video!

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BubbaCast # 79 [ 43:52 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We talk about the downfall of society brought on by the consumption of RAW MILK!!

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Music: Alicia Marie

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BubbaCast # 77 [ 42:09 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Talking about Integrated Pest Management and how you can win some free soaps!

Listener Contest!!!
This girl needs a name! Send your suggestions to brian(at)bubbatanicals.com. The winner will get an assortment of our popular goats milk soaps for free!

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Music: Vatican DC

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BubbaCast # 76 [ 37:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We talk about goats and goat kidding.

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Music: Amy Speace

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BubbaCast # 71 [ 44:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Using goats to supplement your income.

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Music: Maria Daines

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BubbaCast # 60 [ 57:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Part 1 of 2 where Laura and I go through some long overdue updates, take some great feedback, answer some listener questions and talk at length about buying and owning horses.

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Music: Lou Watson

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BubbaCast # 53 [ 1:18:39 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

A rambling discussion on “duh! #winning! with honey bees” and my honey bee blood, goats, Japan, milking, disbudding, bees, springtime bee stuff, and some info on building swarm traps.

Tiger Blood
Video on Swarming and Swarm Traps
Udderly EZ Milker
Radation Map
Info on doing spring hive splits
Whitepaper on Varroa management in honey bee colonies from NCSU(.PDF)

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BubbaCast # 52 [ 56:08 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Most goat owners will tell you that a goat with horns (not to be confused with a horny goat) is dangerous. Goats are cute and generally sweet animals, but make no mistake, they have evolved over millions of years to use those horns with deadly effectiveness. In the wild, goats use their horns to gore or butt whatever happens to be the target of their animosity, be it a predator or a herd mate. I’ve even heard stories of bucks knocking over or killing full grown cows.

However, in captivity, the need for self defence is greatly reduced. Horns get caught in fences and feeders, pose a risk to other goats and owners, and are generally a pain to deal with. As such, some goat owners choose to disbud their goat kids to keep the horns from ever growing in at all. This process has recently been the subject of controversy in a number of circles, often being lumped in with general animal cruelty. I don’t think you’ll find much argument about the fact that it is unpleasant and painful for the kids, but after much examination, I believe (at least in our situation) the benefits outweigh the draw backs.

Compare the 20 seconds of pain to a lifetime of horn trimming (and associated risks), potential injuries to other animals and people, quality of life if the goat is ever sold, etc. In my mind disbudding comes out on top. That’s not at all to say that it is enjoyable. It’s not. Far from it. Anyone who tells you otherwise has no business keeping these majestic animals.

The process of disbudding involves burning off the cells that produce the horns on the goats head. It’s as simple as it sounds. Disbudding irons that glow red hot in a darkened room are manufactured and sold for this express purpose. The tip of the iron is applied to the goat’s head over the horn nubs where it cauterises the skin and nerves, killing the cells that are responsible for horn growth. In my experience, the kid will usually cry out and often urinate on itself. The only up side to the whole thing is that it is quick – only a few seconds per horn, and that the nerves are burned off immediately making the pain short lived – or so I’m told. I believe that there is some truth to this because after the process, the kids often go right back to playing and romping around as though nothing has happened.

It’s a simple process but disbudding should only be attempted by someone who knows how to do it properly. A botched disbudding can lead to brain damage, disfigurement, or even death. All that and never mind the burns to the person doing the disbudding. In our case, we went to our vet for guidance. She did the disbudding, but I asked her to show me how to do it properly so that next time we can take care of it on the goats schedule instead of ours or the vets. I figure we owe them that at least, right?

Each goat owner must decide for themselves whether disbudding is appropriate for their herd. But properly done, I believe that in most instances this practice is a necessary part of raising goats. The goats and the owner are safer and usually better off in the long run.

It doesn’t make it any easier though.

One of our does a few hours after being disbudded.