Mohair and Goat Information

Mohair and Goat Information

Feeding:

We feed grain all year. We feed three different grain mixes depending on the needs of the goat.

Our bucks get a goat feed mixed by our mill. It contains corn, oats, soybean, molasses, minerals and ammonium chloride.

Our does are fed a grain mix of corn, barley, alfalfa pellets, goat feed, and sunflower seeds.

Our kids are fed a mix of Starmaster medicated goat feed, calf manna, sunflower seeds and alfalfa pellets.

Free choice minerals are offered at all times including selenium, sulfur, baking soda and kelp when available.

We feed second cutting grass hay.

Fresh water is always available.

Worming:

We follow the FAUMACHA method of worming and worm when needed, not on a schedule.

We worm with all three families of wormers rotating wormers when one looses its effectiveness. We prefer Cydectin, Dectomax (injectable), Valbazen, and Prohibit. We do not worm with Ivomec or Safeguard because we have not seen good results with these wormers.

Deliceing :

We use Ivomec Pour-On for lice and delice our goats at shearing and as needed. Goats are always treated before leaving the farm.

Shearing:

We shear twice a year: spring and fall.

We depend on the weather to determine actual times. We like to shear in Feb/March and August/Sept. But we are flexible about shearing times.

We shear with dog clippers with blocking blades. I like the Andis pro clipper with the 2 speeds, but any powerful professional clipper will work and I have used these for years. They work on all my herd and I have sheared a lot of goats with those. I do not like sheep shears because of the weight, heat and vibration and the added danger to both myself and the animal, but this is my choice and there is nothing wrong with using sheep shears.

I shear on a shearing stand and feel it is an excellent investment both for the ease of handling and for the back strain it prevents for me. I can take my time and enjoy getting to know the fleece of the animal as I shear. I skirt as I shear.

Hooves:

I trim hooves at shearing and as needed.

Fence:

I use woven wire goat fence with a hot wire 15" off the ground for most of my fence. I also use cattle and goat panels. I do not ever use barbed wire and feel it is very dangerous for angoras because they get tangled in it and can die from exposure. High tensile and straight electric fence did not work for my goats.

Predators:

We do have predators where we are and keep donkeys to protect the herd as well as bringing the goats into the barn every night.

Herd Identification:

We use scrapie tags to identify our angora goats and tattoos to identify our dairy goats.

Vaccinations:

We vaccinate all our goats for CD&T and in years where rabies is high we vaccinate for that as well. BoSe and MuSe are also used in the herd.

Transport:

We like using a van or car or SUV to transport because we can keep an eye on the goats and they are kept at a comfortable temperature since we are there. Trucks with caps work as long as the cap is secure and air flow is good. Horse and stock trailers are fine, but the goats are small so it may be a lot of gas to use if you are only transporting a couple goats. Don't use sawdust or wood chips if there is a chance of it blowing around because it can get into their eyes and throat and cause irritation.

Mohair :

Washing:

Washing 1

Washing 2

Dying:

Dying in Grease

Mohair Care:

Care

Mohair Council of America

Goat Care:

Normal Goat Health:

Temperature = 102.5 - 104 - This varies depending on the temperature of the goat's surroundings.
Pulse rate = 70 - 80 beats per minute
Respiration =15 to 30 per minute
Rumen (stomach) movements = 1 - 1.5 per minute
Puberty = 7 weeks - 8 months (angora goats mature a bit slower)
Estrus/Heat Cycle = 17 to 23 days
Gestation = 143 to 155 days

General Care (My hat goes off to Fias Co Farm for compiling all this wonderful information)

Serious Goat Information ( an excellent site for information)

Poisonous Plants:

http://www.library.uiuc.edu/vex/toxic/comlist.htm

http://www.vet.purdue.edu/depts/addl/toxic/byanim.htm

http://extension.oregonstate.edu/linn/content1/poisonplants.php

Parasites:

Parasites

Drugs for Worming

Stomach Worms

Hoof Care:

Trimming Hooves