Author: Eaglewhensheflies

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How to Raise Garlic: Production and Storage

Majestic garlic
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As garlic planting time rapidly approaches, I want to share an update on the 2023- 2024 garlic growing season here at CG Heartbeats Farm. I tried a couple different ideas to hopefully improve the growing process.

The plot I planted in has not been as fertile and high producing as other garden areas in the past. I chose to still plant here in the interest of rotating ground where I plant garlic. To compensate I added compost from a mix of chicken and goat manure with fallen leaves which had been setting for around 3 years.

I tried a different format in the garden to hopefully add watering ease. This particular area has a slight slope, and I was excited to add trenches in between the various plots of garlic. Each contained a specific variety, most varieties had more than one plot. I carefully mapped out where each variety was planted.

garlic garden

Lessons Learned from 2023-2024 Growing Season

I pulled some of the weeds which inevitably appeared in the trenches, but I did not get them all pulled out. when I placed the garden hose at the highest point water did not flow as well as I had hoped. Potentially the ground was too wet higher on the hill because as I harvested those varieties presented a higher percentage of stem rot.

Overall, the harvest seemed to produce smaller bulbs this year. I question if the reason is linked to how close I planted the cloves or if it is related to soil fertility.

For 2024-2025 I plan to incorporate trenches again where I can and plant the cloves a little farther apart.

A Quick Look Back…

I am cheering for the completed garlic harvest. 2023 marks the 7th year I harvested this nutritious and easy grow food. For several years I planted 2 to 3 times more than the previous year bringing the total to around 600 bulbs of 7 varieties of hard neck garlic in 2022. This post will focus on hard neck garlic.

Read about my first year growing experience below:

Garlic

2022-2023 Planting Improvements

After attending the Indiana Homesteaders Conference in the fall of 2022, I put together information gathered at a couple of the sessions and came up with a couple new ideas to try on the garlic project.  The following is what I did and the results. I planted between 700 and 800 cloves of 7 varieties.

First, I planted the garlic in plots or groups by variety instead of planting in rows.  I used the hand cultivator to work up the soil.  Next in 3 of the plots I added compost from our farm compost pile.  This has been aging several years with no fancy process. (I did not turn it.) It is basically a manure pile that has broken down over time. It does get a good helping of leaves dumped on it each fall via the trees around it.

Compost added before planting garlic.

After garlic was planted

I found by planting in plots I used less garden space and since the bulbs were in close proximity there was less space for weeds. Notice I said less space, the weeds still appeared. I considered this a win and plan to continue growing garlic in such fashion.

The 3 plots I added garlic to were Spanish Rojo, Metechi and Majestic. Keep in mind we had a rather dry start the end of May and June seen only a small amount of rainfall.  I did a better job watering the Spanish Rojo of the 3 plots I added compost to when planting. 

The Results

Spanish Rojo turned out amazing. They are typically a smaller bulb to begin with but in the 22-23 season I grew the biggest Spanish Rojo bulbs I have ever grown. The other 2, Majestic and Metechi were at least average if not an improvement over last year.  I did not water them as much and suspect our dry spell made the difference. I definitely plan to add compost to all the garlic plots when I plant again this fall.

Pictured here I added hay chaff after the garlic was planted as I have every year.

A spring view of 2 garlic plots the separation space is visible.

Keep in mind your soil may or may not need compost or other additions to produce a better garlic. I am not examining all soil needs in this post. Rather I am sharing my personal garlic growing experience. I do discuss farther on in the post general soil requirements for optimal garlic production.

Soft Neck Garlic?

I gave soft neck garlic a try for the first time in 2023. when I get a post written I will link it here.

How much does it cost to grow?

I get excited for ways to grow food for little to no out of pocket cost. Growing your own garlic becomes a sustainable process costing $0 after you purchase your initial start if you select and save a part of your harvest for next years crop. I go over what to look for as you select cloves for planting from your harvest and best places to find your original seed to begin planting.

How to Plant Garlic

Best practice for acquiring seed.

Did you know much of the garlic purchased in a local grocery came from China or other counties?  Little is documented as to how it was raised, potentially with chemicals or other impure methods. Local farmers markets are a great source for purchasing to begin growing your own.

Another reason to find a local source allows you to choose from different varieties. Here at CG Heartbeats Farm, I am raising Metechi, Majestic, Music, Montana, German, Spanish Rojo, and Elephant. 

If you are not happy with your local options, search online for garlic raised locally in the United States. CG Heartbeats Farm offers an online purchasing option and at local farmer’s markets. In the past I utilized both online and local buying options for my first crop and to add new varieties.

Spanish Rojo Garlic
Spanish Rojo Garlic

Spanish Rojo Garlic smaller in size has an earthy flavor.

Metechi garlic
Metechi

Metechi produces slightly more oil when pressed.

Montana Garlic

Montana Garlic has a mild flavor and 6 cloves per bulb.

Majestic garlic
Majestic

Majestic

Click on the garlic of your choice to pre-order your selection.

Music Garlic

Music Garlic is mild similar to Montana in flavor.

elephant garlic bulb
Elephant

Elephant is known for its mild flavor as it is actually from the leek family.

German Garlic

German Garlic provides a strong flavor for stews and other cooking projects.

Limited availability of all varieties

When to plant hard neck garlic?

As a general rule, plant hard neck garlic before the ground freezes.  As I recently finished up my 6th growing season, I want to share an observation from my 2020 harvest. 

Our 2019 fall stretched long into a late ground freeze. Hence, the timing of when I planted the cloves occurred later than previous years.  I will need to check the dates to know exactly how much later.

Trouble Shooting My 2020 Harvest

I found as I harvested many of the bulbs were not as large as previous years. Why were the bulbs smaller?  One reason may be a shorter growing season, brought about by the late planting. I did not harvest any later, if anything some I harvested earlier. The condition of the stalks strongly indicated even when I did harvest, I was late in harvesting. No opportunity on the harvest end to lengthen the growing season.

An earlier planting provides space for a longer growing season. By earlier in northern Indiana, I am talking mid to late October vs. late November to early December. I want to begin planting garlic by mid October and be finished in the first week of November.

Factors I consider as to why the bulbs were smaller this year

  • Shorter growing season (late plant)
  • Late freeze and multiple dips in spring temps late into spring
  • High moisture both in the chaff (ground cover) and in the soil itself.
  • Soil not draining as well as often due to our wet spring.

How to Plant Hard Neck Garlic?

digging trench

I trench rows with a hoe. Set 1 clove 3 to 4 inches apart down the trench and cover with soil. I push each clove down into the soil a little to keep it standing upright. I cover the cloves with around 1 -2 inches of soil.

planting garlic

Where to plant?

Garlic does best in well-drained soil which still contains decent fertile matter. Too much moisture in the soil seems to discourage larger bulbs from developing.

The Growing Process

garlic garden

After planting, I cover the ground with hay chaff left over from where the hay is stored. As much as I have available, I put wood chips on top of the hay chaff.

A challenge of growing a greater number of bulbs this year was not having enough wood chips to cover all the planted cloves.  Instead I added additional chaff and by happenstance it also had a bit of shavings and chicken manure mixed in.  I am going to make sure I stick closer to 100% chaff next season.

The wood chips and chicken manure trapped too much moisture in our wetter than usual spring. I found too many stalks had started to rot, while the soil below where the bulb sat was completely dry. Chaff alone seems less likely to create this problem.

Like I said, we had an unusually wet spring and I am certain this fact influenced the stalk decay as well. On a dry year trapping the moisture benefits the plant.  

Once planted, the only other important chore is keeping any weeds at bay.

garlic garden

In the spring the green leaves appear as early as February. If you wonder as I did will a frost or freeze damage the growing plants? The answer is no. The tops may brown, but the growth continues.

The garlic reached above my knees in May. We had a freeze warning. We did cover the plants with plastic propped up with portable fence posts, tomato cages, and driveway markers. Pretty much anything we had around that would prop the plastic up over the green plants. I did not loose any from the weather, but it is another factor I consider when I wonder why the bulbs were smaller in general this year.

Scapes

If you like garlic, there is nothing quite like a freshly picked scape. In season for only a week or two, I ate one almost daily for a week. I also enjoyed them on chili. Other years I have make a delicious garlic scape pesto (see this post for ingredients)

What is a garlic scape?

The top of a hard neck garlic plant will produce a flower if not removed. At first, it appears to curl around completely, but over time it will straighten and produce a flower.

garlic scapes

Scapes are removed to allow a plant to put its energy into growing a larger bulb. If left alone, the flower will produce seed and it is another way to start garlic. Growing from seed involves 2 growing seasons instead of one. I have not tried producing garlic form seed instead of cloves, but I am saving seeds from Elephant garlic this year to experiment with.

Elephant garlic flower
German garlic flower

Exactly when a scape is removed influences the size of a bulb and impacts the storage life of a bulb.  A scape removed later promotes longer storage. If you do not remove the scape at all a flower will appear and eventually seeds.

Be aware you will likely grow smaller garlic bulbs, but the seeds can be used in cooking too. The size of the flowers and seeds vary depending on the variety.

Order Garlic

Grown with no chemicals at CG Heartbeats Farm

  • Excited to offer shipped garlic.
  • Now order and pay for online.
  • Ships in September and October
  • Limited to the lower 48 states in the US.
Click on above picture to order.

Order Today

Harvest and Storage

Garlic can be harvested, eaten immediately, or cured before eating.

When is the best time to harvest?

In northern Indiana harvest usually happens in July when the bottom 3 or 4 leaves turn brown.

How to harvest?

When I can, I simply tug upward on the stalk. If the ground is dry or the stalks wet, I use a shovel to carefully loosen the soil around each bulb.

A word of caution! Be careful to leave enough space between the bulb and the shovel to refrain from damaging a bulb with the shovel. Ask me how I know? Experience!  Last year for some reason I damaged quite a few. This year only one I can recall.

Sorting Garlic

How do I choose the best cloves for seed?

The largest cloves will produce the biggest bulbs so these are the ones I save back to plant next years crop with.

I also do not use any bulbs which are blotted by spots of any kind. While it grows without many issues, I want to use the healthiest cloves for planting.

The Curing Process

I try to hang garlic for around 4 weeks before I consider it completely cured. However, there is nothing wrong with eating some as soon as it is harvested.  I may lay it flat, bulbs and stacks, for a day or two prior to hanging it depending on my schedule.

Garlic can be laid out to dry, too. I prefer to hang it by the stalks to allow any oil in the stalk to run down into the bulb.  Inevitably, each year I end up with bulbs and no stalks, due to harvest error or late harvest. These I lay out to dry, but if I am going to consume garlic after harvest, it will be the stalkless bulbs,

Storing Garlic

Best places to store your harvested bulbs? Place in dry, dark areas with good air circulation such as paper bags or wire baskets. Keeping it in a refrigerator creates a moisture rich environment causing garlic to sprout and soften faster. I do NOT recommend storing it in a refrigerator.

Braids

Braids provide a gorgeous storage option. I have yet to try my hand at braiding it.  The soft neck variety is the best choice for braiding. However, it is on my bucket list along with growing from seed (instead of cloves), fermenting, and pickling garlic.

Spanish Rojo Garlic
Spanish Rojo Garlic

Spanish Rojo Garlic smaller in size has an earthy flavor.

Metechi garlic
Metechi

Metechi produces slightly more oil when pressed.

Montana Garlic

Montana Garlic has a mild flavor and 6 cloves per bulb.

Majestic garlic
Majestic

Majestic

Click on the garlic of your choice to pre-order your selection.

Music Garlic

Music Garlic is mild similar to Montana in flavor.

elephant garlic bulb
Elephant

Elephant is known for its mild flavor as it is actually from the leek family.

German Garlic

German Garlic provides a strong flavor for stews and other cooking projects.

Limited availability of all varieties

2023 -2024 Goals

There are a few ideas for creating trenches to help with watering plots in case of a drought for future growing seasons simmering in my head.

I grew soft neck garlic for the first time in 2023. Now, I hope with some modification my crop will yield larger bulbs.

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How to Complete First Milk Test Paperwork

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In this post we take a look at how to complete first milk test paperwork and test day procedures. The first time you test your herd as an owner/sampler I suggest filling out the goat information paperwork a day or two before you actually collect milk samples. I made a few mistakes and had a lot of questions, so I am going to share based on what I did wrong and what I learned with a video.

How to Complete First Milk Test Paperwork

On the initial paperwork you will list each doe on milk test along with their registration numbers and the registration numbers of their sire and dam. This paperwork goes in with the first milk sample and only goes in one time.

As you can see in this example you list the registration number of doe on test, the date of birth, the sire and dam registration numbers and her barn name. because this is a bit tedious in my opinion, I suggest you fill this out a day or two ahead of when you actually complete your first test.

The video below covers the basic test day paperwork you will fill out each time. Below you will see a picture of the additional paperwork you will fill out the first time your herd is on test. This is not annual, rather it has been one time only based on my experience. After every collection and milk samples are submitted you will receive new sheets to fill out for the next test.

Test Day Procedures Milking, Weighing and Collecting Samples

On test day you will collect milk samples from the morning milking and the evening milking or from an evening miking and morning miking. These are up to you but the 2 samples collected need to be back-to-back milkings. I find it easiest to collect all samples on one day and collect first in the morning and second in the evening.

Needed materials for test day.

  1. Milk bucket
  2. Calibrated official scales*
  3. Ladle
  4. Labeled collection vials
  5. Paper and pen to record weights and times
  6. Official paperwork to fill out
  7. an ink pen

*Your calibrated scales will come from your affiliate associate. Also note: the collection vials contain a small orange bead to preserve the milk sample. This is toxic to cats and other animals.

Collection Procedure

Prior to beginning the milking and collection, label each vial with the corresponding number of the goat. I like to use a separate notebook to record the goats barn name, and number with two columns to record am and pm weights. Either above or below I document start and stop times, am or pm.

I like to keep this separate documentation in the event I need to reference in the future, and it keeps the official paperwork clean. Later, I transfer this information to the official paperwork later before mailing in the samples. I use a barn notebook where I document all the barn happenings. I reserve some space in that book just for milk testing documentation.

Once these are set up and the vials are in a safe place nearby, I proceed with the following steps:

  1. Milk the goat
  2. Weigh the milk with the calibrated scale
  3. Record the weight
  4. Stir/Mix the milk
  5. Scoop out the milk sample
  6. Pour milk into the sample vial

There are nice lines on the plastic sample vials to help. Store until next milking or mailing. (1/2 for first milking and fill it for the second milking).

I then proceed to the next goat until all are milked.

The samples do not go in a refrigerator, and should not be in extremely warm temperatures exposed to direct sunlight.

The day of your verification test you will not be recording weights or collecting the samples your VT will do those steps. Your only job that day is to milk the goats, handing the milk to the certified verification tester. That person will keep the milk samples in his or her possession at all times.

Before mailing the samples be sure to fill out the official paperwork recording the weights and other information using an ink pen.

Mailing the Samples

Indiana Dairy Association gives milk testers the option to prepay for mailing labels through the UPS. I have always used this option. One it saves money and two the convenience of attaching a label and only needing to drop off the box.

The milk sample vials are returned to the box in order. The first vial needs your herd code written on the side of the bottle. The milk samples are mailed to a lab along with the official paperwork you filled out.  A copy of the paperwork is sent to the state dairy association. Here in Indiana, you have the option to email or snail mail the paperwork to the associate. I prefer email as it is faster and gets you the results faster.

Your affiliate associate will provide you with material explaining details of what milk test day includes. Be sure to read through all their provided instructions. Especially if you are working with a different affiliate than I am, they may have slightly different policies and ways of carrying out the paperwork and mailing. But either way read through all the information provided to you.

Again, when your herd is on a Verification Test the certified tester will mail the official sheets and samples to the lab along with the information that goes to the affiliate associate.

This wraps up what a test day entails. Generally, within 1 to 3 days after sending the samples to the lab you will have your test results. Look for a post on reading and understanding lab results in a future post.

Want to learn more about getting your herd started on milk test?

How To get Started Milk Testing Your Goats

Want to learn more about all the ADGA performance programs?

ADGA Performance Programs: 3 Ways to Increase Your Herds Value
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How To get Started Milk Testing Your Goats

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The CG Heartbeats Farm Nigerian Dwarf does went on milk test for the first time in 2023. It has been a year of learning for me. I am sharing my first year experiences, mistakes I made, what I have learned and how I hope to improve next year while sharing how to get started milk testing your goats.

First steps to Milk testing your goats

When milk testing ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association) does, not only do you work with ADGA but also your regional dairy association as a part of DHI or Dairy Herd Improvement and the DRMS or Dairy Records Management System.

There are 2 associations you need to sign up with the ADGA and your reginal DHI affiliate. I suggest starting with the DHI affiliate. There is no deadline to sign up with ADGA IF you are a new herd. There is a deadline for renewing herds. For the flow of this post, I am going to start with ADGA.

American Dairy Goat Association beginning steps for milk testing

For ADGA you need to fill out the application to go on milk test and pay the appropriate fees. The ADGA fees for 2024 are  .  When you are a renewing herd the fees are reduced by $5. There are several options to choose from when milk testing your does. Each has its owns set of requirements, results and some are overlapping.

ADGA testing Options Explained

Each breeder has the option to choose the right one for the season they are in and their herd goals. Below is the list of options then we will look at what they are exactly to help you choose the best option for your herd. Understanding what each option provides and requires will help you decide what is best for your herd.

Deciding who will conduct the milk tests

You have 3 choices as to who will be conducting the milk tests. Some options provide a combination of testers.

Standard: A certified Tester visits once a month and conducts the milk tests. One test must be a Verification test by a separate certified tester besides the regular tester.

Group testing: 3 or more farms from a circle where farm a tests farm b who tests farm c. Each must be certified by the DHIR to be a tester.

Owner sampler or O/S: Owner conducts monthly milk tests. One month a certified tester conducts a verification test.

Choosing which test is right for your herd

There are different testing options are described in the ADGA Rule book available only to ADGA members. Lets start by how to view the rule book and where to find the specific information on milk testing options.

You will find the rule book available for download or viewing on the home page of ADGA

http://adga.org 

You will need the password emailed to you for access the rule book. Once entered go to page 25 of the rule book. Here you will find detailed descriptions of each. Each member is given a code via email to gain access to the rule book.

Definition of milk testing options

Standard: A certified milk tester conducts the tests once a month. If you want the goats to be eligible for top 10 recognition, you will need a verification test conducted by a different certified tester.

Owner Sampler 40 ST Owner conducts milk tests except for one verification test when the majority of your heard is between day 60-150 days in milk or DIM. Qualifying does receive ST recognition if documentation is sent in by the owner.

Owner Sampler 40 AR Owner conducts milk tests except for one verification test when the majority of your herd is between day 60-150 DIM Qualifying does are eligible for Advanced registry recognition but not top 10 leader. This option has additional requirements. Does must have 8 test and be in milk at leawt 240 days.

There are also several options to use a combination of a verified tester and owner sampler when collection samples and weights. Please take a few minutes to read about them all in the rule book.

There is a condensed version of each option available to anyone in the DHIR testing info on the ADGA website, but I would have benefited from reading the Rule book descriptions to begin with.

.As you might have noticed there are options allowing for bulk tanks testing. I am not going to speak to this as I have no current experience with bulk tank testing options.

Keep in mind even when conducting the O/S tests one test will need to be conducted by a certified tester.

DHI Affiliates

The other place you need to sign up with is a regional DHI association. To view the list of DHI affiliates click below:

http://www.quality-certification.com/certifiedfield.asp

You can go with one in your region or one across the country. It truly is your choice. My advice is to reach out to other farms who are on test and ask who they use and why. I did this as I was putting this post together and learned a local farm has opted to work with a DHI affiliate clear across the country. She shared why and I intend to further research to deepen my knowledge base.

I have been pleased with my current affiliate and her helpfulness, so I am not directly looking to change, but I always like to learn.

Becoming a Certified Tester

Once you have chosen your DHI affiliate you will need to be certified tester IF you have chosen the owner sampler option. Each affiliate will have a procedure and test for you to take. I doubt they will all be exactly alike but I will share my experience with the Indiana State Dairy Association. Keep in mind your exact experience may differ based on which DHI affiliate you are working with. Also if you choose the Standard Option You will not need to become certified, but you will still need to sign up with a DHI affiliate.

Indiana State Dairy Association has a test given to all testers choosing the owner sampler option and those wanting to be a verified tester for other farms. The director emailed me various files of information and the test I would be taking in written form. I choose to return the test and appropriate fees by UPSP. But I think I had the option to return a copy of the completed test via email.

The Indiana State Dairy Association offers the option to prepay for shipping labels through United Postal Service. Not only do I save money on shipping samples each time, I also save time when I ship the package. You will want to check with your affiliate to find out what shipping options are available.

Data Storage Sites

There are 4 companies who store data for milk testing. The Indiana State Dairy Association works with the following Dairy Records Management System or DRMS. One benefit I find helpful is the ability to get online within days of sending samples to view the results. Here I can download the results and print them if I desire. I also have the option to have printed reports sent to me each month for a fee. The DHI affiliate you choose will connect you with the data storage service they work with.

Be Encouraged

If all this information seems confusing, do NOT put pressure on yourself to find the perfect one. Pick one that looks best to you and get started. Learn in your first year. You are NOT locked into 1 testing option for the remainder of your life. You can make changes each year as to which option is best for your herd goals. 

Get your feet wet, have fun, at the very least you will enjoy knowing what kind of volume, butterfat, and protein your does are producing. The data will help you decide what bucks to look for as you work to improve the breed and your herd, what animals are producing the best and who you desire to keep and who to move on. I cannot say enough how much I appreciate all I learned in my first year about my does and the milk testing process itself. JUST Start!

Additional Resources

The following video contains information to help understand getting started with milk testing.

This video does a great job of breaking down all the steps to get started milk testing your goats.

ADGA has a list of frequently ask questions and additional resources on that page. Use the following link: https://adga.org/knowledgebase/dhir-faqs/

What I wish I would have known

305 days in milk:

As I read through the rule book on Milk testing, I learned the importance of keeping a doe in milk for 305 days. Rule # 19 states a doe needs to hit the required numbers in 305 days or less. This speaks to the next point I did not fully understand.

Value of Testing Monthly

Due to my financial and time circumstances last March through July I opted to not conduct any tests (no samples sent in and no weights recorded). Most of my does were at their peak lactation during this period. A couple of the does hit their numbers anyway. Looking back, I am convinced at least one of them would have hit her numbers and stared if I had documented and sent in samples. Her highest milk volume was not recorded.  I especially regret this for her because she experienced serious difficulties in delivery, and I will not be breeding her for 2024.

Cost of Testing

Each test averaged $50 to $60. At the basic 8 tests my total invested in the testing process alone came to over $400. Also, the initial cost of becoming certified, (good for 2 years) cost of a scales and annual calibration was less than $50.

In Conclusion

After reading this post do you still have questions how to get started milk testing your goats? Leave a comment below and I will do my best to help you or point you to someone who can.

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What You Need to Know Before Buying Goats

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Before buying goats there are 5 things to have in place. Your goats will need shelter from the elements and predators, clean fresh water, feed, and established routine maintenance. You need a goat mentor or 2 because there are bound to be questions as you began your goat ownership journey. Read on to learn what you need to know before buying goats.

While not discussed in this post you will also want to consider your goals for your new goats, the best age of your new goat, and how many you are going to get. Plan to purchase at least 2, as they are a herd animal and need the companionship of another goat.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate and other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

Shelter from the Element and Predators

Goats are a prey animal. Coyotes, wild (and some) domestic dogs, bears, mountain lions, and wolves would all enjoy a tasty goat meal.  Around here we also have large birds such as bald eagles. A new born Nigerian Dwarf baby weighing in at 3 lbs. or less are vulnerable to being snatched for a large bird’s lunch.

Goats are tough critters, but still need protection from wind, rain, snow and the hot beating sun of summer.

A large doghouse can provide protection from the natural elements but would not provide protection from a coyote attack. However, good fencing and a livestock guard dog would go a long way to keep a coyote away.

The type of shelter provided can vary greatly based on your available resources, type of predators in your area, and personal preferences.

A building with proper ventilation and a way to keep goats locked in at night will go a long way in bringing you piece of mind when the coyotes start howling.

Clean Fresh Water

As a child it was drilled into our heads at a young age the importance of clean water buckets and fresh water.  I heard about it if there was a single speck of dirt in a white scrubbed bucket.

I keep a scrub brush handy to eliminate any film or dirt build up on the goat’s water bucket. This brush is a different one than the one used on chicken waterers.  Both are located near the spicket where I fill my water containers at chore time.

Keeping the water containers clean and changing out the water seems to encourage a goat to drink.  I observed my goats on more than one occasion quickly drink from the bucket right after I fill it. This despite the fact there was water in the bucket for them to drink before I dumped and brought them fresh.

You may choose to use a small tank or buckets for watering your goats. I have found 2- or 2.5-gallon pails to be wonderful water buckets for 3 to 5 Nigerian Dwarf goats. However, in a larger herd a small tank would work well. Keep in mind you do not want any containers to be so full of water a baby could drown in it.

How Much Water does a Goat Drink?

The research I found varied. The amount of water a goat consumes changes based on the following:

  • age of the goat
  • size of the goat
  • a pregnant doe
  • a lactating doe (or a doe producing milk)
  • current weather conditions

Feed

In researching and reading other experiences I found a wide variety of opinions on exactly what to feed goats.  Many of the differences appeared based on the goals for a particular goat. A goat in milk has different nutritional requirements than a pet wether or even a breeding buck. 

All goats need forage of some type. There are varying opinions on the benefit of feeding grain, and how often.

Processed Feeds or Whole Grain Mix?

Feed companies will tell you all the benefits of process feed over regular grain.  I personally prefer a whole grain as I believe going with a natural feed benefits any animal in the long run.  When I look no farther than my own grocery options, processed over whole foods and my decision is made. I fail to see the benefit in providing a processed food when a body whether mine or a goat is designed to break down and process whole food. 

These are my opinions. Please conduct your own research to find what works best for you. There are various companies providing both options at feed stores. Local mills are slowly fading. However, there are still places to have your own feed ration mixed with locally grown grains.

On CG heartbeats Farm we feed a 16% protein textured grain to the does. The bucks get a small amount or none at all which varies by season. The hay is a grass alfalfa mix for the does and a grass/alfalfa hay to the bucks with the does getting a higher percentage of alfalfa and bucks less. All have pasture access a portion of the day when the season and weather permits.

The feeding program here is subject to change as I continue to learn and grow my knowledge base.

Urinary Calculi

Urinary Calculi is considered prevalent in bucks and wethers over the does. The physical anatomy of a male goat’s makeup contributes to the problem. One school of thought suggests a high protein diet contributes to the creation of kidney stones and urethra blockage.  Another contributing factor is thought to be castrating or neutering too early. When planning a feeding program for bucks and wethers, you may want to feed little to no grain and a grass hay low in protein, calcium and phosphorous over alfalfa hay.

Routine Maintenance

  • Hoof care
  • Parasite prevention and Famacha Scores
  • Vitamins and mineral supplements

Hoof Care

Goats need their hooves trimmed on a regular basis. Providing hard surfaces for them to play and live on will naturally reduce how often they need a trim.  With out natural wear, goats need their hooves trimmed every 4 weeks or so.  If they need corrective work you may need to trim them more often.  If they have hard surfaces wearing their foot, they can go longer than 4 weeks.

You will need a hoof trimmer to maintain hoof growth. A hoof trimmer will become dull before it is no longer good. You may want to locate a local option to sharpen your hoof trimmer or sharpen it yourself.

A rasp is helpful in adding a finished touch to a goat’s hoof. I especially like having 2 different rasp options as in the last picture. Click on any of the following pictures to view details when considering your purchasel

Parasite Prevention

Parasites are a part of an animal’s life. All animals are known to have some level of parasitic infection. The object is to keep parasite population at a controlled level so an animal will experience optimal health.

A good parasite prevention program reduces the need for harsh chemicals as a means to save an animal’s life. Pasture rotation and herbal supplements promote a healthy goat and a less likely chance of a parasite overload.  Land of Havilah provides excellent alternatives for parasite prevention and as a source of natural vitamin and mineral supplement. There are other herbal parasite prevention programs on the market. Land of Havilah is the one I use.

Monitoring Parasite Load

Monitoring a goats parasite load also helps to bring awareness to a goats need for additional support against parasites. Checking stool samples and FAMACHA scores are the other important tasks in staying ahead of parasite damage to goats.

Stool samples can be checked for parasites at your local veterinarian office. There are various labs who also provide this service. Meadowmist Labs from Michigan offers cost effective stool sample checks. You can drop off samples or mail them in.  Use the link to learn more. https://www.meadowmistlabservice.com/441123869

Checking a goats FAMACHA score involves looking at the color of a goat’s interior lower eyelid. One of the best descriptive videos I have found on You Tube can be seen using the link below.

Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Here is another topic you may desire to research further when determining what works for your herd. Briefly there are synthetic options or a more natural route. Just like our own bodies some vitamins we produce ourselves when given the proper tools.  In a roundabout way, providing vitamin and minerals helps against parasite overload too because a healthy animal promotes a better equipped immune system.

It is a safe bet the hay and grain we feed will vary in the amount and availability of certain vitamins and minerals.  For an example, here in the Midwest selenium is known to be lacking in the soil. The food grown here will not provide the selenium our bodies or our animals need. Supplements are needed to keep your goats healthy.

Still using selenium as an example, there are 3 ways to deliver the selenium, via IV or an injection into the vein, orally through a paste and orally through a powder they eat on their own.

There are also synthetic or natural options of vitamins and minerals on the market. All of these are considerations to research and decide which works best for you. You might want to experiment with different options to learn your best fit. 

Land of Havilah provides natural options via a couple different products, one is a powder, and one is a liquid. When you purchase either of these you are given a free online course to teach you how to use each one. The information include dosage, frequency, and how to use with various species. 

A Mentor

Finding other goat owners to reach out to when you have questions or problems makes the journey of new goat ownership easier. The person may be who you purchased your goat from, a person or farm you follow on social media who raises goats or a new friend who you met because they too have goats.

No single person knows everything. Each will have basic philosophy. Some rely less on chemicals and more on herbs and vitamins, others feel most confident in modern day medicines. Find mentors who share your same basic values. I always say there are 2 ways around the barn, and both get you to the other side.

We can all learn from each other, even if our views are not exactly the same. Don’t be afraid to hear a new perspective.

In Summery

Learning about these five topics will prepare you for what you need to know before buying goats. This provides a general idea to prepare you before bringing your goats home. There is always more to learn.

Keep in mind goats are a herd animal. Many farms will not sell you only 1 goat unless you have already have other goats to be a similar companion. Goats need other goats around as a part of their overall health. You would not want to put a mature buck with a 3-week-old bottle baby. While a bit of an exaggeration, it is important to understand goats are best housed with other goats of the same sex and age or group.

What to learn more about the Nigerian Dwarf goats at CG Heartbeats Farm? Click the link below:

https://www.dontclipmywings.com/nigerian-dwarf-herd/

Any questions? Please leave a comment below. Or email me at cgheartbeatsfarm@gmail.com

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ADGA Performance Programs: 3 Ways to Increase Your Herds Value

3 yearling Nigerian Dwarf does
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Nigerian Goat Milk is a delicious addition to one’s table whether in cooking or a simple glass of milk. However, in order for a dairy goat to provide milk they must first give birth. Inevitably there are baby goats who need to find their own purpose and subsequent new homes.  Let’s take a look at how the ADGA Performance Programs increase a herd’s value.

ADGA or the American Dairy Goat Association has 3 areas designed to increase (hopefully) the value of a goat herd.  These provide documented proof of performance and quality of a particular animal or in repeated generations establishing proven linage.

  • Milk Testing
  • Linear Appraisal
  • ADGA Sanctioned shows

             ADGA Performance Program: Milk Testing

Milk testing documents the capacity or volume of milk produced and the percentage of butterfat and protein. Samples collected are also tested for SCC which indicate potential mastitis infections. ADGA has set a minimum for volume, butterfat and protein. If a doe attains these numbers in one or all of the 3 categories, she can be awarded a star.

2023 was my first year to conduct owner sampler milk tests. In the past year I learned a lot and while it took some trial and error to get it all, I am finally feeling confident when it comes to a milk testing routine. I plan to continue milk testing in 2024. First, I will need to take a test to become recertified. I will be recertified using email and/or snail mail. 

If you live in Indiana Elizabeth Shaw is your contact person. If you live in a different state, contact your state dairy association or state dairy goat association for further information. Another great resource is other goat breeders in your state.

Look for an upcoming post explaining the milk testing process in further detail.

              ADGA Performance Program: Linear Appraisal

A linear appraisal involves a day set aside where an approved or certified liner appraiser visits a farm to critique specific animals rating their physical characteristic. I have signed up for my first Linear Appraisal or LA in 2024. I am excited to learn. When filling out the ADGA form you have the option to visit a host herd or be a host farm yourself. For 2024 I am signed up to travel to another farm.

The initial fee is $45 with the option to add 3 DNA tests for $65 more. If your herd did not participate in LA the previous year there is an additional $10 fee. After the actual LA is conducted you will be billed your part of an LA. There is minimum stop fee of $400 split between the first $25 goats after that the fee is per goat.  As you can see, the price will vary.

I am still learning about LA and have read some posts and comments from others who have experienced LA for themselves.  If I was to sum up a few things I have read:

The appraisers themselves set particular guidelines impacting the actual process of the LA, these will vary but do not compromise the integrity of the appraisal. Rather they help keep the flow of the LA process streamlined to a particular group. In other words, the appraiser is given paramitas to organize the process at each testing sight.

Bucks get lowest priority for 2024.

Dry does are not usually appraised.

I am a newbie to LA and would love to hear your experience in a comment below. If you would like to read more about ADGA’s Linear Appraisal, click the link below:

Linear Appraisal – American Dairy Goat Association – ADGA

             ADGA Sanctioned Shows

ADGA approved shows provide an opportunity to learn how a particular animal compares to others in their age group, sex and breed. A show is of course based on someone’s opinion of the score card and depending on a judge’s interpretation of the card.

Goat shows provide an opportunity to connect with others who breed and enjoy goats. Winning a class or championship advertises the quality of your herd. Not to mention showing goats is a fun way to enjoy your animals.

I also get concerned thinking of disease risk that comes with showing goats, exposing them to other farms and the stress itself of showing and how it wears on an animal’s immune system. I would think having a plan in place for quarantine upon returning and supporting a goat’s immune system would be important.

Comparing the 3 ADGA Performance Programs

The time invested is divided out in a similar way as the funding.  A linear Appraisal is a lot of work for a few days or a week or 2 but then it is over. Milk testing takes a set day each month and then there is the paperwork prep and organization. But does not take an entire day at any point. Shows now they seem to be the most work when I look at the time spent training, preparing, traveling and then the actual show day or days. 

For me the choice is which do I focus on for 2024. They all take a degree of money. The Linear Appraisal is an upfront fee. The milk testing with an upfront fee and includes a monthly expense. Attending goat shows also has its costs in gas expense, show fees, equipment.

I chose milk testing as my first ADGA Performance programs in 2023. For 2024 I am signed up to participate in a Linear Appraisal. I have a loosely held goal of attending 3 ADGA sanctioned shows.

Are you planning on participating in any of these ADGA Performance programs?

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CG Heartbeats Farm: Dreams for 2024 Focus

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When I think of setting goals for the next year, I do not find myself excited as in years past.  Rather I feel a bit of dread wondering how many of these I will fall short yet another year. Some of these projects have been on my list for a few years. So, I set to pen and paper, if you will, my dreams for 2024 focus.

I recently read in James where he shares how believers should set goals. ‘Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this, or that.”’ James 4:15 (NKJV) With this passage in mind I share my process and goals for 2024.  God is sovereign after all. Perhaps you would like to read the entire passage? If so, it can be found in James chapter 4 verses 13 through 17.

Learning to discern the voice of God is a process I continue to work towards. So, I pray, I listen, and I seek the counsel of other believers, some who are in my field of work. As I write this list, I position my heart to seek and hear God’s direction for this little farm and how it might bring Him glory.

The goal setting process has been presented multiple times with variations of course and I will not dive into such explanations here. You can find a lot of information on other websites.

Goat Dreams for 2024 Focus

ADGA or the American Dairy Goat Association has 3 performance programs designed to increase (hopefully) the value of a goat herd.  These provide documented proof of performance and quality of a particular animal or in repeated generations establishing proven linage.

              Milk Testing

2023 was my first year to conduct owner sampler milk tests.  I do plan to continue milk testing in 2024.

              Linear Appraisal

Involve a day set aside where an approved or certified liner appraiser visits a farm to critique specific animals rating their physical characteristic.  I have registered for our does to be appraised at a host farm in 2024. I am excited to learn throughout this process and hopefully will write about my experience.

              ADGA Sanctioned Shows

ADGA approved shows provide an opportunity to learn how a particular animal compares to others in their age group, sex and breed. A show is of course based on someone’s opinion of the score card and depending on a judge’s interpretation of the card.

For 2024 I would like to attend a few shows if at all possible.  I have specific does picked out I want to see how they would compare to others. They are in my opinion some of my better does. But to really know how they stack up against the industry, goat shows help create a wider view.

For me the choice is which do I focus on for 2024. They all take a degree of money and time. As it looks right now, I will continue with the milk testing, participate in a Linear Appraisal and I have set a goal to attend 3 ADGA sanctioned shows.

CG Heartbeats Farm Bonney Lass kicks off our kidding season with a February 22 due date. She was bred to Meadowmist V Mia Noble. There are currently 7 additional does bred with due dates in March through May. I will be posting updates as they kid on Instagram and Facebook.

Chicken Dreams for 2024 Focus

Admittedly the chicken project has taken a bit of a backseat to the goats, but I have not entirely given up on them. In 2023 we had 2 chicken tractors rebuilt and these are going to help create space to grow out chicks we have hatched. However, we need to create additional space for growing out chicks since many of the chain link panels are now being used for goat fencing.

In regard to specific chicken breeds, I would like to offer      Swedish Flower Hen hatching eggs, chicks and pullets. The extra roosters make excellent bone broth and stew meat. I will from time to time have breeding quality roosters available.

              The Lemon Flower plan includes hatching eggs, offer hatching eggs, chicks and pullets, replace the current rooster to bring in new genetics and add to current pullet population.

              Silver Gray Dorking hens need a new rooster. I have a farm in mind to add stock from but the timing of it all is still being worked out. I may acquire hatching eggs or actually purchase a rooster or two. Either way, I would like to hatch eggs, build up breeding pens and if available sell hatching eggs, chicks and pullets.

Garden Plans and Dreams for 2024 Focus

As in years past my garden plans include the basic tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, onions potatoes and corn. I am excited to grow more Corn Broom Sorghum and look forward to harvesting Black Raspberries for eating.

I would like to do better at preserving food than I did in 2023. There are many ways to save food from seasonal harvest. I know there is room to add more items to the larder.

              Roadside Stand

Design and construct a roadside stand to provide a place to sell extra produce, flowers and crafts. There are a couple old trailers sitting here and I have a design in mind for creating a farm stand out by the road.

              Grape Vine Trellis/Archway

Using tree limbs from our woods I would like to construct a rustic archway to create a path between the garden and the buck palace.

Great Pyrenees

              As I evaluate and weigh in on the pros and cons of breeding Aneta and Lewis for spring puppies these are a few of my thoughts. I am currently exploring the possibility. One consideration is who will be guarding the goats while she is raising her puppies. Lewis is still in training and not quite ready to be out with the herd without supervision. Along with these thoughts, exactly what type of structure and design do I need to create to allow the pups to be raised with the livestock. Subsequently allowing Aneta to continue to guard while raising her pups.

Do I have the resource capacity for pups along with the given freshening dates?

Connecting the right people with each of the pups is another consideration. Great Pyrenees are a fantastic breed but require certain accommodations and training routines for them to succeed.

              Aneta has been living with the bucks for over a year and I am grateful on a daily basis for her contribution to keeping the goats safe from coyotes. Coyotes appear the biggest predators threat we have on a regular basis.  There is no doubt in my mind northern Indiana sports the occasional roaming bear or panther. However, with Aneta’s sharp ears and consequential barking our farm doesn’t present an easy target.

              Lewis and his complete opposite personality of Aneta keeps me on my toes. The are bound to be some difference between a male and female, but they are rather opposite beyond those differences. So, Lewis presents a new learning opportunity.

Sale Offerings

As in previous years I will have the following for sale throughout the year.

  •               Goats: wethers or casterated males, registered does and bucks both kids and adults
  •               Garlic: 8 or 9 varieties
  •               Chickens ~ hatching eggs, chicks, pullets and an occasional rooster
  •               Extra seasonal garden produce as available

              In December 2023 I began offering note cards featuring baby farm animals using photo’s taken here on CG Heartbeats Farm. Look for this line to be expanded in the coming months offering additional themes and inspirational writing as an option along with the current blank card option. Check them out here.

Farm Babies Blank Note Cards

Farm Babies
Set of 6 blank 4 x 5 inch note cards featuring baby animals photographed at CG Heartbeats Farm

For 2024 I am looking at adding 2-3 additional hand-crafted items to the website and potentially in local stores so keep an eye out for those.

Structure Goals for 2024

I have a long list of projects I would like to see completed I listed some of the top projects. Truth be told they may not all get done in 2024. I have yet to prioritize which I will tackle as a second project, but the barn cleaning and organization has been decided for me out of necessity for in less than 2 months the does will begin kidding.

  • Roadside stand
  •  Outdoor coop 1
  •  Outdoor coop 2
  •  Barn cleaning and organization
  • Update brown shelter and start using for either goats or dogs
  •  Horse barn work
  •  Garden entry way
  •  Buck Palace interior
  • Garden shed
  •  Horse shelter renovation

Landscape

I lumped a few other projects into a landscape citatory for completing them would improve the landscape here on the farm. Many of these also provide for the animals in one way or another.

  • Overgrowth removed around barn
  • Additional goat pasture
  • Horse shelter
  • Front pasture clean up
  • Cars cleaned out and removed

Online Goals

A few weeks ago, I mapped out topics for 2024 weekly blog posts. Information will range from goats, chickens, and garlic to brooms, gift guides, and Lord willing a special sneak peak of a new project for January 2025 published in December. If you like reading the quarterly farm updates, I desire to add those back into the posts as well.

The creator side of me longs to design PDF’s sharing information on goats and garlic, not necessarily as a joint topic but rather as 2 different topics. The plan is to offer them as free resources.

Giving Back

I shared briefly in a social media post last November about the child I am sponsoring through Compassion International. Connecting with a child from another country, getting to know about the culture, and her lifestyle altered my perspective on finances. Several months I was not certain where the sponsorship money would come from and found myself needing to rely on God and His direction in order to meet my commitment. This has been faith building experience.

Are you interested in learning more about Compassion International or sponsoring a child? Click below:

Help End Child Poverty | Compassion International

New skills

There are a couple new skills I hope to learn and become proficient in during 2024.

  • Making brooms from Sorghum
  •  Goat Milk Soap Making
  • Write a book (or at least a rough draft)

Hey thanks for reading till the end. I am not sharing these 3 goals other places for now. I will be sharing progress on social media and via email as I make progress.

What to follow along on social media for updates?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/countrygirlheartbeatsfarm/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/countrygirlheartbeatsfarm

For the record, these are goals relating to the homestead and I have additional personal goals as well.

Final Thoughts on Dreams for 2024 Focus

If you have purchased from CG Heartbeats Farm either online or in person, thank you for supporting small farms.

I would enjoy reading your goals and dreams for 2024. Leave a comment below sharing what you hope to accomplish in 2024, farm related or not.

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Best Chicken Waterer for Winter

Swedish Flower Hens drinking water
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One of my least favorite chores is watering chickens in winter. All the de-thawing and re-filling chicken water containers when my hands are wet and cold despite wearing gloves. Even in the double walled barn the temps drop below freezing and that means various trips to and from the house to thaw the ice. I have found the best chicken waterer for winter, at least for here on CG Heartbeats Farm.

I decided to try something new recently by emptying the chicken waterers at night. The next morning, I refill them. This reduces the amount of time and energy I spend waiting for ice to thaw. Since I am not carrying waterers into the house. it reduces the inside mess, as well. This only works for those days the temps are below freezing, but not terribly cold.

When the temps get down into single digits and below zero, I have a different strategy. I still use the same type of waterer but twice a day while I am feeding other animals, I rotate water to the chicken pens during the daytime. This method works for extreme cold when water freezes in a matter of minutes.

In the last few years, I found one chicken water container style that makes the task a bit easier all the way around. No pun intended for it is indeed a round container.

Best Chicken Waterer for Winter

The cold has been slowly moving into our area. Soon I will once again be dealing with a lot of frozen water to thaw and replace here at CG Heartbeats Farm.

The hardest part for me when it comes to cold weather is dealing with ice and keeping water in front of the animals I care for.

NOTE: This page or post contains affiliate links. When you click and make a purchase I earn a portion of the money you spend at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon Associate and other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for your support.

The style pictured to the right is hands down my favorite style in winter time.

There are various places to pick one up such as local farm stores, if that is where you prefer to shop.

The one pictured on the right is my choice option on Amazon. Click on it to order today.

I have found a chicken water style that fast became my favorite. Several reasons draw me to this functional idea, but largely the ease it creates when it comes to dealing with ice.

The design of the containers allows ice to be removed that has barely begun to thaw. This means way less time waiting to de-thaw and refill.

I still use the screw on type in some pens, but growl to myself at the longer time it takes to thaw and remove the ice. I hope to fade out the screw on kind or at least have enough of the other style to retire them during the winter months. An exception would be when using in the brooders, as the heat lamp provides enough warmth to slow the water freezing.

With this style of waterer, it is easy to know that the base is locked on. I have no idea how many times I have picked up a water container, full of water, only to have the lid slip off and water gush everywhere. For whatever root reason, my gut reaction is blood boiling. I feel angry. I should, perhaps, examine my reaction, but not for this post.  Now however, when using this style of water container, I can look and know it is not going to slip loose and make a mess.

How to Verify the Container is Closed

I have on at least 2 occasions had conversations involving the question of how to use this style that are a little different, but functional.

Other reasons I like this style:

Due to the flat design, there are no crevices in the upper part of the waterer. This means easier cleaning. 

chicken waterer with ice

I have found the plastic to be durable as it is sturdy and flexible enough that I can lightly bump it against a wood post to loosen ice that is slightly melted.

Compared to screw on and bottle style design I am comparing this water container style to the kind with a screw on base, pictured below.

The optimal system would be rain barrels collecting water. PVC pipe to directing water to different pens with nipples in each pen for the chickens to drink from. This system would be almost maintenance free any time the temps are above 32 degrees.  I hope to implement this as permanent outside pens are constructed. But the afore mentioned is not a winter solution.

If you only have a pen or two, you might consider a heated waterer. Then you will not need to deal with ice at all. Pictured above.

I have too many different pens to use the heated waterer. The above style is my choice.

These are my preferences. What is your favorite tool for watering chickens in winter? Leave a comment sharing your best chicken waterer for winter.

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CG Heartbeats Farm 2023 Update

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It has been a few months since I have posted a quarterly or yearly farm update. Read the CG Heartbeats Farm 2023 update. Our kidding season was a success, but we hatched less chicks than previous years to allow space to focus on structure and the Nigerian dwarf dairy goats.

CG Heartbeats Farm Livestock 2023 Livestock Update

Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats

Kidding season

CG Heartbeats Farm kidding season began the end of January 2023 and ended April 19, 2023. We were blessed with a large percentage of doelings for which I am thankful. 3 does needed my assistance presenting kids with heads bent back to the side blocking delivery. One kid struggled due to dystocia (head bent back) and died. Another kid, while I was present, I did not assist the birth, struggled to breathe and had no sucking reflex for a while. Her story, the process of saving her, deserves a blog post all its own or perhaps included in a post recapping the 2023 kidding season.

Milk Testing

Milk testing deserves a post all of its own once I have completed the entire season and all does are dry. From the actual testing process, learning the paperwork and how to read a report, the process challenged me a few times. Receiving the reports though provided interesting information on milk fat and protein percentages. Learning about SSC numbers helped me understand if a goat might be at risk for mastitis.

Sale page

A part of raising goats includes selling and finding homes for goats. Not just any old home but a place providing a good fit between a person’s goals and the capabilities of an animal. I think this goes for any livestock a farm produces. The current sales page is under construction.

Breeding list/reservation list

In an effort to share details to prospective buyers a common practice includes creating breeding reservation lists These serve to showcase pairings between a buck and a doe, highlighting genetics, milk testing results (DHIR), show records and LA or Linear Appraisal scores. Here you will find possible appearance characteristics such as blue eyes, polled, or moon spots. Breeding lists become a record of kids born over a particular breeding season. I plan to create a 2024 list in December.

Great Pyrenees

Louis and his first year

Louis, a male GP who came with registration papers and breeding rights, came to live with us on December 27, 2022. He has a completely different personality than Aneta and it has been a year of learning for me. Of course, the fact one is male, and the other is female may play a part in their differences as well. One difference Louis doesn’t bark much. Aneta was barking as a young pup, especially when the coyotes howled.

He has mastered the command to sit. I believe I need to move on to teaching additional commands. He does respond to the word No also.

Aneta

Aneta has been living with the Nigerian Dwarf bucks for over a year now.  I have observed her watching the sky and barking when big birds fly overhead.  I appreciate the value she brings in protecting the livestock. But also, the special bond I have with her. To date she stays with the goats and does not get out unless they do. Then she gets out with them.

Dog food changes

A change we made this year was to switch from Alpo to Diamond Naturals. When we purchased Aneta Alpo was what the breeder was feeding her dogs, so we went with what she said without a lot of research. Truthfully Aneta never really ate the Alpo very well. 

The farm we purchased Louis from highly recommended Diamond Naturals. He was eating the puppy version and so we wanted to continue feeding him the same diet. I wanted to try Aneta on this brand also. Turns out she eats the Diamond Natural brand so much better. While Diamond Natural is a bit more expensive. Both dogs clean up their food right away. Aneta wasted so much of the Alpo and looking back I wonder if she would have grown taller on a different food.  Louis is a much larger dog at one year than Aneta is at almost 4 years.

Chickens

Swedish Flower Hens

I did not hatch as many birds this year. Much of my time, energy and resources has revolved around the goats although not all. One of the chicks hatched out from pen #1 has turned into a beautiful rooster who will be joining Swedish Flower Hen pen #1 to replace his father. The 4 hens in pen # 1 are 7.5 years old and I hope to hatch another group of eggs from them when they start laying again.

Lemon Flowers

These lovely birds are hanging out and I hope to hatch some of their eggs as they start laying again.

Silver Gray Dorkings

I unfortunately lost my Silver Gray Dorking roosters in 2022.  Until I get more, I will not be hatching eggs.  I am really excited about this one SGD hen I have. She has gone broody a second time this year. The first time she hatched and raised Swedish Flower Hen chicks for me. She has run of the barn and outdoors as she chooses. She takes care of herself and is savey when outside moving rapidly and with an awareness of predators. I would take more like her any day. Oh, and her eggs are some of the largest I have seen Silver Gray Dorkings lay.

CG Heartbeats Farm 2023 Garden update

My garden produce was hit and miss as to volume and quality for 2023. The exception being the garlic, the garlic did fairly well. Some of it even exceeded previous years quality and size. I continue to learn something new every year I grow garlic, and this was no different.

Garlic

I tried a couple new strategies for growing garlic this past season. I updated the blog post on Garlic and sharing the changes I made. Click below.

How to Raise Garlic: Production and Storage

Tomatoes

For 2023 I purchased heirloom varieties of tomatoes instead of starting from my own seeds.  I did not care for the flavor as much but appreciate the meaty, less juicy substance.

Potatoes

I ordered organic seed potatoes from Keene garlic this past spring and whoile they arrived in Apring I did not plant them until the 3rd week in June.  The weeds got a foothold before I got to them and some of the potatoes did not produce plants or if they did they were small.

I was able to harvest in October and have immensely enjoyed delicious fresh potatoes. My favorite way to cook them is wash and cut them up cooking them in water on the stove, served with butter and salt. YUM!

Sunflowers

I planted Sunflowers from seeds collected from last year’s crop raised here at CG Heartbeats Farm. Most of the seeds sprouted and produced decent sized heads. The plants were left on their own as I really did nothing with them this year. I did not get to weed them or water them and yet they produced. Grateful for the harvest, I picked out a couple heads to save for next year’s crop and the rest will be fed the goats as treats on their grain. Sunflowers are becoming a staple here and I plan to plant next year and in greater abundance.

Sorghum

Growing Sorghum make me happy. The heads of grain are beautiful waving about in the breezes. A goal of mine is to learn the art of making brooms and have saved enough to make several, whisk brooms and/or regular brooms. Watching videos, I have seen one can get really fancy with crafting a broom. 

Sweet corn

I planted a heritage variety of sweet corn this year.  It did not produce very well, but I did not keep it watered and that may have been a deciding factor.  The chickens got a few ears as a treat.

Glass gem popcorn

I planted the Glass Gem Popcorn in an area of the garden that hasn’t produced as abundantly the last 2 years. Too dry? Needs fertilized? Not for sure, but I plan to add compost in this area for 2024.

Peppers

Because I was so late in planting, I picked up 3 heritage varieties of peppers from a local greenhouse instead of starting my own from seed. They did produce some peppers for me and I kept them watered but I did not get a huge harvest. I am convinced it is because I planted them so late.

Lincoln Peas

In 2023 I planted peas in April an improvement over the last 2 years. The seeds sprouted and grew well.  After they were blooming and producing the plants started turning yellow and dying. I am not sure the cause despite a bit of internet research. Possibly too much water or lack of a nutrient. None the less I enjoyed pea salad and eating directly out of the garden. I also have seeds set aside for next year. 

Onions

I planted Candy and a yellow variety onion starts in April ordered from Keene Garlic. They did well this year and I finished up harvesting in September. We are still enjoying them.

Zucchini

I had a few Zucchini to eat. Enough to be satisfied for this season but they did not produce super well. Perhaps the location I planted them in or the late start? I did not plant them until the end of May

In summery my garden had a late start this year and likely influenced the lower production. I am ok it because a part of the reason I was so late was my trip out to be present for my oldest niece’s graduation from high school.  At this point in life I understand I can not do it all and need to pick my priorities.

CG Heartbeats Farm 2023 Farm structure update

Refurnishing Chicken Tractors

We have had 2 grow out tractors here for a few years and used them as pens inside of the barns. We purchased from a FB marketplace listing a few years ago. I enlisted the help of the neighbor boys to refurnish them with metal and other materials we provided. They may have had a bit of help from their dad, but they did a fine job.  They are 4 brothers, 14 and younger. It is good to invest in future generations. I was happy to compensate them for their time and effort!

Fencing

Planning and constructing goat fence continue as an ongoing project and the horse pasture fences are in dire need of maintenance and updating.

Materials Acquired

We were able to purchase used fence panels and were gifted other materials over the last few months. Some are already put to use, and others need some modification.

No doubt I am leaving out other CG Heartbeats Farm updates for the first 11 months of the year.  These are the ones standing out to me.

Questions?

Are there topics I mention in this CG Heartbeats farm 2023 update you would like more information on? Leave a reply or send me an email at cgheartbeatsfarm@gmail.com

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Heartbeats that Matter: Bringing Home Nigerian Dwarf Goats

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Spring March, sunshine beat down warming the car as I drove along.  Thoughts raced through my heart. I am doing this for my sister, excitement and anticipation filled my body.  I had visited the farm another time and seen Honey and Oakley at a younger age. They were only 8 weeks old now. Today’s post tells the stories of bringing home Nigerian Dwarf Goats to CG Heartbeats Farm.

Over the winter months, I prepared a space in the barn to add goats to the farm.  Today, I was bringing them home.  Not their permanent home, but rather an interim residence until we could get them out to my sister who lived a few states away. And however temporary, I would be adding goats to the homestead on this very day. 

To learn more about the Nigerian Dwarfs at CG Heartbeats Farm click: Nigerian Dwarf Herd – A Country Girl’s Heart -Beats that Matter (dontclipmywings.com)

Nigerian Dwarf Goats

The First Goats Arrive

Fast forward 2 hours later, oh, my heart seeped happiness as I unloaded the little ones, placed hay and water in the pen for them. My husband did not say much as he looked at them. They are for my sister I told him. True enough, but with an awareness, I fully intended to add more for myself.  Full disclosure: My husband enjoys the goats and we had previously spoken about adding them to the homestead.

baby Nigerian Dwarf goats

Over the next couple weeks, I sat with them, resting. I knew I could not take away the struggle my sister was facing, but I could help her acquire the goats she had been looking for.  At first the were not too sure about me, but in no time their curiosity overtook them.  First an outstretched neck to sniff me, and then a nibble. Soon they were happy to sleep in my lap, jump on me, chew on my hair.  I looked after these 2 teaching them to lead, trimming their hooves and getting them started on Parasite Formula from Land of Havilah Herbs.

Bringing Home Bonney, Knight, and Tucker

Courtney from De St Jean Farm had kindly given me the opportunity to visit in the fall of 2020. In the months following I often reached out to her with questions I came up with in my planning process. On her IG account she shared all her babies and mommas. I drooled, longed and saved my money.  I wanted a few of those babies.

One evening I sat down and studied the for-sale page on Courtney’s website. I looked at pedigrees to find a bucks and does who did not share the same sire. Diversity was on my mind.

A long-standing theory of mine: no matter how good an animal looks on paper, it needs to physically present the qualities I desire, if I am going to reproduce it. 

baby goats

I planned a trip to visit Courtney again with a vision of what I wanted based on the info from the sale page. The goal at the time was to add quality registered Nigerian Dwarf goats to CG Heartbeats Farm and in so doing have my own milk to drink.  One more way to produce my own food. 

Dixie

Courtney posted picture of Dixie, sharing about the potential for her dam to be a 3* milker and the possibility of her sire being a star buck.  It was unknown at the time which buck had sired her. Dixie sported a cute moon spot on her head.

I prayed, counted my pennies, and studied her pedigree. Oh! She appealed to me for her pedigree and the potential of her to be a 4* milker.  In the end, only a week later, I put a deposit on her.

baby goat

She came home with me the same day, Bonney, Tucker, and Knight did. She was still a bottle baby at the time. My heart melted every time I watched her wag her tail and drink her bottle. I started singing “My Dixie Darling” to her as she drank one afternoon.  Thus, her name Dixie Darling, stuck.

Bringing Home Nigerian Dwarf Goats: Ariel

I learned to know Eva through our mutual chicken interest. When I found out she also raised Nigerian Dwarf goats, I determined to stay in touch with her. Poseidon, one of her bucks, had caught my eye on a visit to her farm.

Around the same time, I put a deposit on Dixie, I also put a deposit on a little doeling by Poseidon. I poured over her pedigree deciding on name. Ariel fits her sweet personality.

Sunny

In June, I once again was resting and perusing the Nigerian Dwarf goat pages on Facebook.  Pictures often catch my attention. I then look for websites and pedigrees to help me determine if I want to pursue a purchase.

By this point in my goat shopping, I had a better understanding of they type of goats which were out there to choose from. My eye was developing and my desire for star genetics and champion lines increased.  Certainly, I was happy with what I had, but my next purchase needed to be a step up, I decided.

In chatting with a woman whose had kids for sale, I was impressed with her buck. I inquired where he came from. On a hunt now, I checked out the website from the farm where her buck came from.

Here I found 2 bucks who impressed me greatly. I made a trip to visit Meadow Mist and enjoyed a great visit with Sandi, looking at her herd.  A couple months later, I brought Sunny home.

Brian likes to go car racing. Turned out a farm I had found out about was located near his friends race shop. The next time he made a trip up there, I tagged along. We drove out to Meadow Mist and I met Sandi.

Bringing Sunny Home

Fast forward a couple months. Brian was going to racing for several days with his friend. For me to have a car to drive, I needed to take drop him off at the shop. Yep, the same shop near the Meadow Mist who had a buck kid I had my eye on.  The back seat was packed full of Brian’s ‘stuff’ for his 5-day trip. No room for a dog kennel to transport a goat back home.

The Lord provides. I noticed a sign about a rummage sale in the town local to the car shop. Maybe there is a dog kennel for sale there, I thought.  After leaving Brian at the shop and heading out to Meadow Mist I was disappointed to learn the rummage sale was actually a week later. However, I drove up on a garage sale. For $5 I left with a wire dog cage.  It was not quite what I had envisioned.  I would need to protect the back seat of Brian’s car from goat turds and the like, but it could work.

I drove home that day with a buck kid and an antique corn sheller from and estate sale I had stopped at also and laughed all the way home delighted with my new additions to CG Heartbeats Farm,

Bringing Home Nigerian Dwarf Goats: Peaches

Peaches deserves her own blog post to tell her entire story, but I will stick with the short version for this post on bringing home Nigerian Dwarf Goats. I had reached out to Sydney from ERSA farm as a part of conducting research on Sunny. Due to our previous connection, Sydney sent me a message when Peaches became available. She was a granddaughter of Sunny’s half sibling.

Thoughts continued to wander through my mind. Did I have the funds? Should I add another goat? I wanted to take a trip to spend time with family in August and did not want to add another goat until I returned.

But the next day, I put a deposit on her and intended to pick her up the end of August.  However, Brian and I ended up making a date night the following weekend, driving to pick her up and I found myself with 2.5-week-old bottle baby.

Peaches delights me even now at 6 months old. She went on my trip with me to visit family because if you have a bottle baby you take them along.  Well in my world I do. I mean after all if I can haul horses, I certainly can look after a baby goat. My nieces enjoyed her and on occasion I send them pictures of Peaches.  She has become a fun way to connect with them.

Bringing Home Nigerian Dwarf Goats: Grace

Randomly checking out baby goats for sale when taking a moment to rest will get you (or rather me) in trouble.  Do you see a pattern here as to how I ended up with the later members of my herd?

In this case, a picture popping up in my news feed on FB was the culprit.  What? Eva had goats for sale? Ariel came from Eva’s Pine Knoll Farm. Oh, I liked the look of the one little doeling named Good to Go. 

As I do, I investigated the pedigrees of both.  After I considered their ages and decided I would likely not breed in the fall, but it might make a good companion for Peaches. I was pleased with the buck she was out of.  

I struggled because I knew I needed to work on structures here on the farm. Winter was coming and housing is a work in progress here. I took money with me when I went to look at them.  My mind weighed the pros and cons of taking another goat home and the fact if I bought this one. I NEEDED to stop buying goats for the time being. 

I call her Grace and she came home with me.  To my knowledge Brian did not know she was here for about a week.  I say I needed grace for the fact I brought her home.  She presents a little different look compared to the other goats here. I am looking forward to crossing her with my bucks to see what they will produce.  Her sire’s dam is a champion and 2* milker.  I trust she too will earn her milk star in time.

Looking Ahead

My goal for bringing home Nigerian Dwarf goats to CG Heartbeats Farm was to drink my own milk. I did not expect to enjoy them quite as much as I do. I am tossing around ideas for other ways to incorporate them in productive ways.

Over the last 8 months I have advanced my eye for what I want and want to breed for. Through conversations, reading, and farm visits my goals have shifted slightly from wanting my own milk to a desire to breed quality Nigerian Dwarf goats. The bottom line continues to be, I desire my own milk.

An additional desire marinates to produce milking lines recognized through ADGA programs.  I am looking forward to milk testing does and participating in a few shows for 2022. 

Read more about the Nigerian Dwarf goats at CG Heartbeats Farm on our page https://www.dontclipmywings.com/nigerian-dwarf-herd/

Nigerian Dwarf Goats
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Choosing the Best Age of Your First Chickens

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I previously shared questions to ask as you decide on specific chicken breeds in the blog post titled What Chicken are Right for You.  Today’s post takes you on the next step. When deciding on chickens that are for sale, there are 4 different growth stages to choose from, hatching eggs, chicks, juvenile or grow outs, and adult. Let’s examine different reasons you might choose from adult birds, hatching eggs, chicks or grow outs when choosing your first chickens.

Adult Birds: Choosing your First Chickens

There are a few reasons adult birds are the best options for your new chickens. By purchasing adult chickens, you will not need to wait for them to start laying. You will not need to feed them for the 4 to six months prior to beginning to lay.  This, also, applies to birds you are raising for meat if they are heritage breeds. 

The modern meat bird is ready to harvest as early as 2-3 months.  Either way you will not need to invest the time to wait or the money to feed them. Do expect to pay a higher price for adult birds compared to juveniles or chicks to cover the fact the seller has invested the time and money (that you did not) to raise them.

Juvenile or Grow Outs

Some breeds cannot be easily sexed until 2 or 3 months of age.  If you do not want a rooster, waiting for male or female characteristics to appear might be the best route for you.  If sounds like you, there are still advantages to purchasing a juvenile over an adult. 

If your chickens are your pets, you will be able to bond with them as they finish growing and will be able to decide what they are eating.  Feed options such as organic, non-GMO, traditional, or even grow your own feed will be up to you.  Raising them yourself allows them to have free range time and finish raising them to your standards.  This is not to say that you cannot connect with a breeder that feeds chickens in a manner similar to yours, but that makes your search chickens a little more challenging.

Buying Baby Chickens for Your First Chicks

baby chicks are one option when choosing your first chickens

Purchasing chicks can be a bundle of fun.  The cute, little fuzzy babies chirping and running around.  When they have had enough of that, their little heads suddenly droop. They slowly lay down and sleep.  Whether purchased locally or picking up at the local post office the fun of bringing them home and watching them grow up provides a bit of ole fashioned entertainment. 

Other Considerations When Purchasing Chicks. 

  • The act of shipping them through the mail can sometimes cause loss of life, even with the best of packing.
  • There often is a shipping charge in addition to the price of the chicks.
  • If you choose to stay local with your purchase, you will be limited to the local breeds of chickens for sale.
  • Chicks need a heat source until their first feathers grow in.
  • A brooder of some fashion is needed for chicks until they are old enough.

Hatching Eggs: Choosing Your First Chickens

Hatching your own chicks gives children the experience of seeing a new life develop.  The lessons learned go a bit farther than sitting down at a desk and reading a science book.  The hands on activity creates an environment where seeds of responsibility and discipline can be planted.  The best part is watching a healthy chick pop out of its shell. 

A word of truth here:  As it is in all aspects of life, the genetic imperfections that fill our world may occur.  As an example, a chick may not hatch all the way due to improper development. Or one may hatch, but it did not develop properly.  This too is an excellent opportunity to teach a child the facts of disappointment and grief.  As adults we know these are a part of life, and what a great time to teach a child how to deal with them in a manner that promotes healthy minds. 

Best Option Hatching Eggs vs. Chicks?

Hatching eggs are less expensive vs. chicks. Do not expect every hatching egg to produce a chick. It would be an unusual case for all purchased hatching eggs to hatch. I do not always get a 100% hatch from eggs that travel no farther than from the barn to the house.  If the eggs are shipped a general rule of thumb is 50% of the eggs will provide you with new baby chicks. 

Let's look at the math for a minute.  As an example, with shipping and the price of eggs you have $70 into 12 eggs.  If you hatch 6 (50%), the price per chick would be $12. If the same breed of chicken cost $15 and you purchased 6 chicks, you would have spent $90 plus shipping. Congratulations you saved money! and had the fun of hatching. However, this is intended only as an example.  The hatching result could go either way resulting in more or less chicks.  This is where you decide the risk or chance you are most comfortable with.

In conclusion

Knowing your goals and resources will lay a foundation for choosing your first chickens.

Leave a comment, if you found this helpful and share which stage of a chicken’s life you have decided to purchase.

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