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The OMF herd is usually sixty to seventy strong with the population temporarily growing during kidding season. Our herd's foundation is built on many of the most influential bloodlines comprising the Nigerian Dwarf breed and we are breeding for well conformed animals that show and milk! Our goats are cared for with stringent health and management issues in mind allowing them to reach their full potential and of course we give them lots of love and attention. We spend a certain amount of time each day just "Goat Gazing", which is one of the best ways to know what your goats "normal" daily behavior is. That familarity with their normal routine means that health issues are noticed before they become a big problem. |
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Our goats get a fresh supply of well water with a splash of apple cider vinegar each day (piping hot during cold weather months). We offer our entire herd (free choice and year round) powdered Atlantic kelp, goat specific loose minerals and sodium bicarbonate as a rumen buffer helping them to best utilize their feed. Our herd also receives a good quality orchard grass or orchard grass / alfalfa mixed hay ensuring that they always have the appropriate amount of long stem roughage in their diet. They have access to a large pasture that includes a wooded area that they love to go snacking / exploring in. We feed Blue Seal feeds and think that their products are superior to any other brand that we have at our disposal. |
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The bucks grain contains ammonium chloride for urinary tract health. The milking does get a mix of Blue Seal EZ Pells, Black Oil Sunflower Seeds, Shredded Beet Pulp, Steamed Flaked Barley, Alfalfa Pellets, Sunshine Pellets, Regular Oats and Flax Seed. During the cold weather months we increase the amount of hay and grain for both bucks and does in order to help them maintain conditioning and stay warm. As a method of preventing urinary calculi we wait as long as possible to wether our buck kids. Wethering is usually done approximately four days before their scheduled move and usually between eight and ten weeks of age. |
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Our favorite kid rearing method is combination of dam raising / bottlefeeding that works well at socializing kids yet allowing them to be raised in the herd by their dam therefore building a strong immune system at an early age. Once a month each goat is brought into the barn for a hoof trim and a "physical" of sorts. At that time we look through his or her personal medical record to see what vaccinations or supplemental care is needed. This allows us to keep accurate, up to date records on each herdmember. When an animal leaves our herd this medical record accompanies them to their new home. A few years back, we found several of our goats tested borderline deficient through blood tests (not as accurate as liver biopsies but can be done without euthanasia) and decided that we needed to be more agressive with our methods of supplementing our goat's diets. |
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At that time, we started giving the goats yummy Zinc chewable supplements and started copper bolusing them every few months (we have found each goats needs are different and rather than sticking to a set schedule, we develop a personal schedule for each animal.) We also give selenium/Vitamin E orally at times inbetween scheduled Bo-Se injections and give Vitamin B and Vitamin A&D injections once at the tailend of winter. Since adopting this routine, we have seen stronger immune system function and more productivity as a result. We've maintained a negative CAE,TB and Brucellosis herd, testing our entire herd regularly since 1989. |
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We've never had a case of Caseous Lymphadenitis or Johnes disease and we only bring goats into our herd from farms that follow the same strict management as we do. Besides our whole herd testing, we also test any adult animal that enters our herd for CAE, CL and Johnes disease before they are released from quarantine. In 2005 we enrolled in MeCHAP (Maine Cattle Health Assurance Program), a state testing program for Johnes disease and we are happy to announce that everyone tested negative. In 2006 we decided not to take part in the MeCHAP program feeling that we wanted to instead do whole herd ELISA testing for Johnes. (The MeCHAP program involved AGID testing and after further research we determined that the ELISA test is more sensitive than the AGID test). Our whole herd tests were negative yet again in 2006 for CAE and Johnes Disease (ELISA done through WADDL). |
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We also spot fecal tested twelve members of our herd for Johnes disease in 2006 and will continue doing this in the future feeling that the best herd management we can provide is to choose the most aggressive testing program available and therefore offer prospective clients peace of mind with their purchase. In 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 we have continued testing and receiving negative test results for our herd. Tests include CAE, CL, Johnes disease, TB, Brucellosis. We continue to use WADDL for our testing and occasionally have supplemented with testing from Cornell University. Kids of weaning age that are leaving for their new homes, have been wethered (if they are not being sold as breeding bucks) have usually been treated for coccidia and worms, received their initial and booster Clostridium perferingens type C&D / Tetanus Toxoid vaccinations as well as a supplemental Bo-Se (vitamin E / selenium) injection. They are also disbudded and tattooed between 5 to 10 days of age. |
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| When Old Mountain Farm goats move to their new home they are accompanied by a detailed record of previous medical care and maintenance and a promise from us to be as helpful as possible in the future should the goat's new owners need mentoring. We are fortunate to have made many friends over the years, due to this continuing level of involvement with goats leaving our farm. | |
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All photography by Cheryle Moore-Smith except where noted.
©Cheryle Moore-Smith All rights reserved. |
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Last updated 9-13-10
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