Tag Archive

Nine Dead in Q Fever Outbreak

By Martha Ann

AMSTERDAM — A rare virus released into the air when goats abort has killed at least nine people in the Netherlands and infected hundreds of others who had no contact with farms. The source of the outbreak is not known, though there is a chance the virus mutated, BioPrepWatch reported. “It’s always been an occupational disease... »

Enterotoxemia

By NJ

Goats like to eat. In fact, they like to eat a lot, but rather than just becoming fat, some goats can suffer from “overeating disease”, officially known as enterotoxemia. Enterotoxemia is caused by an overabundance of bacteria called Clostridium perfringens. These Clostridial organisms are always present in the rumen but excessive eating that slows or stops digestion... »

Plant Helps Prevent Internal Parasites

By NJ

Parasites are an ongoing concern for goats and there’s good news on that front. The Agricultural Research Service reports that Chinese bush clover (Sericea lespedeza) is effective in controlling intestinal parasites, particularly barber pole worm. The forage plant disrupts the reproductive cycle of parasites in the ruminant’s digestive tract. It can be added to the diet by planting... »

Milk Fever

By NJ

If your doe is shivering like she’s cold, don’t assume she needs a sweater. Your first guess should be milk fever. Hypocalcemia, commonly known as milk fever, is a calcium deficiency found in goats and cattle. Most often seen in newly freshened does, milk fever can also be found in goats who are preparing to... »

Kid Crisis at a Glance

By NJ

Mom doesn’t have enough milk? Is your kid down? Lethargic? Just not quite right? Coni Ross, a Texas goat rancher, has put together a quick guide to common kid problems. From floppy kid syndrome, grafting kids onto new moms, and issues arising from cold, this file is a must have when dealing with problem births... »

Homemade Milk Replacer for Kids

By NJ

There aren’t any good products around the house and you don’t have time to go find any. Here’s a recipe compliments of Coni Ross, CR Ranch. 1 cup of nonfat dry milk (any generic grocery store version will do) 3 cups warm water 1 large egg 1/4 cup whipping cream 1 scoop Calf Pac (live probiotic product containing 5 viable... »

Milk Substitutes

By NJ

New kids, no milk, what now? Ideally, you want to bottle feed with raw goat’s milk but not everyone is in the position to have that on hand and when you need to feed the babies, you need to feed them now. Just as human children can be intolerant of cow’s milk, so can goat... »

Cold Weather Crisis

By NJ

You go out to the barn to set out some hay and notice one of the kids is laying down. Just as you’re thinking how cute it is, you realize it’s not moving much, or perhaps it’s shivering or is tilted on its side. Maybe you arrive for the worst case scenario: seizures. Newborns and... »

Failure to Thrive

By NJ

Some animals just don’t do well. For no obvious reason they are sickly and, regardless of human efforts, die. This is referred to as “failure to thrive.” Goats are no exception. Some kids are born, by all accounts healthy, only to die within hours or days. No illness, no parasite overload, no reason, just failure... »

Goat Triage for a Broken Leg

By Martha Ann

ERIE, Kansas — Pepper, a Nubian buckling who’s gone from “cute bottle baby to hormone-driven horn dog,” broke his leg trying to reach the doelings at Shiloh Prairie Farm. It was late at night and there was no way to get him to the vet, so Jennifer and Jamey, his owners, knew they had to... »

Disbudding How-To

By NJ

Suriyah at Good Goats recently had some kids to disbud. For those unfamiliar with the procedure, she has posted good — and graphic — photos on her blog. “Normally when we disbud, we do it before the bud even comes out of the skin,” Suriyah said. “When the kids are about a week old... »

Goat Medical Kit

By Martha Ann

Capcas.com, which represents Cashmere producers, has this list of items for inclusion in an emergency kit, especially useful now that winter is upon us and kids are starting to arrive, at least here in North America. The site also has this tongue-in-cheek, but useful, list of numerous ways to kill a goat. It’s worth running... »

Kidding in Cold Weather

By NJ

It’s been unseasonably cold in the U.S. South with many struggling through some of the coldest temperatures in a decade — accompanied by snow, ice and all manner of ugliness. While we here in the north are pretty used to this, it’s been a bad year for us as well. I’m not one to advocate... »

The Parasite Predicament

By NJ

Like any other livestock, there are diseases that are common and often life threatening to goats. However, the most insidious forerunner of health issues is parasites. Worms are ubiquitous to goat tending. The eggs are laid on the lower stalks of plants which the goats then eat, injesting the eggs which hatch into worms and... »

All Things Goat was created by Naimhe Jeanne (Nee-Vah Jeen,) of Illinois, and Martha Ann, of Vermont, who believe in the humane treatment of goats whether they are pets or raised for milk, meat or fiber. Through news, profiles, recipes and editorials, All Things Goat illustrates how our caprine friends improve the quality of life for many worldwide. Our All Things Goat intern is Lela Perez, of Killeen, Texas.

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Happy Goat Caramels

Happy1 Happy Goat Caramels are sweet, savory and made from the milk of California goats grazed on pesticide-free grass.

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