[Jacob-list] Re: Farm diversification

[Shawn Hoefer]

We raise Jacob sheep, Angora goats, La Mancha dairy goats, chickens, rabbits, horses, dogs, cats,
teenagers and a ferret... how's that for diversification.

There are solutions for the feeding problem... seperation works well or feeding in a large number
of places.

As for the parasites and worming frequently, try feeding a grain mixed with DE. We do that and it
seems to work well as all of our animals stay relatively healthy.

Milking, on the other hand, is a chore that will hold you down. Don't get milkers unless you plan
on giving up your vacation trips out of town or hiring an outside individual or persuading a child
to milk. We milk 2 times a day (as much as we ever have regardless of the breed of goat we are
milking) and chore time, including milking, takes about 1.5 hours each morning and evening. We
still travel on a rare occasion, but our eldest living at home teen milks for us when we're gone.

HTH,

Shawn Hoefer
One of the denizens of the Laffing Horse Farm

--- Christopher Brantley <brantleychristopher at hotmail.com> wrote:

> I have both Jacobs and Boer Goats/Boer Hybrids.
> 
> I am looking forward to the day when the last goat goes to the freezer.... 
> they all get along well EXCEPT when I give them grain. The goats aren't 
> hungry, but they don't like letting the sheep have grain. I have to sit 
> there and keep the two seperate critter types seperated until everyone has 
> got what they want/need to eat. Other wise the sheep don't get any grain and 
> the grain justs sits there.
> 
> I would consider diversification with something like chickens or geese. 
> Something other than competition. The other option I would think about is a 
> seperate pasture/barn if you want to go the goat route. The other thing in 
> the mountains of NC that I have been told is a problem would be the Nubian 
> Goats not only need frequent milking ( a lot of work in and of itself), but 
> they thend (in this area) to pick up a lot of parasites easily... many of 
> the folks here have to worm twice a month instead of the typical once a 
> month with other breeds. I would check in your area to see what breeds fare 
> the best with the least effort. I'm all about what works best without too 
> much effort (I'm a lazy farm guy!)
> 
> Best of Luck,
>   -Christopher


		
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