Farm Management

Our Farms Management

Here at Guajira's Farm we do our best to raise our animals as organic as possible. This is not to say we are an organic farm, no. We do our best to source chemical free hay from local farmers, non GMO feed and supplements. Only use chemical de-wormers and antibiotics in extreme cases and when absolutely necessary. Having hardy, parasite resistant goats is one of our main breeding goals. On this page I am going to share our herd management. This will answer a lot of questions to potential buyers of our Nubians or Boer goats. If our management practices align with yours, it is a much better transition for the animal in their new home. It can also give you a better look at the compatibility of the animal to your farm and how they will fit your plans with them. 

Feed Management

On our farm we feed premium quality Alfalfa to our dairy goats before kidding and during the first five months of lactation, slowly transitioning and adding carbs like Triticale, Oats or Wheat hay back into their diet. Our bucks also get a variety of oat, or wheat hay depending on the growing and breeding season. Throughout the years we have learned that some of our does do not do well solely on Alfalfa and we've made changes according to what we have observed works well on our property. Well water makes a huge impact on nutrition absorbption, so we also added a water softener to the goat barn. They have free access to loose minerals and hay is always available 24/7 via a large feeder that can hold over a ton. We source all of our hay from two local farms that are within 5 miles of us, with one of those farmers managing a field directly across the street! We get to see the entire process of the alfalfa we purchase from growth, cutting and bailing. Some of the best Alfalfa we have ever seen comes from this farmer. It makes me so happy at how good the quality is, the girls leave NO waste from those cuts!

On the milk stand our does get malted whole barley, Black Oil Sunflower Seeds (BOSS), and a high fat conditioner to ensure our does keep good condition while in lactation. We also purchase Alfalfa Pellets in bulk and feed that when the occasion calls for it.

Parasite Management

We practice preventative measures to parasites both external and internal. Copper Bolus and Sweetlix Loose Minerals are our number one defenses against parasite and mineral deficiencies. In the cases of external parasites like biting lice or mites, we try Diatomaceous Earth baths for mild cases and Cylence chemical in extreme cases. Those in conjunction with Ivermectin, which is one of the safest paraciticides working really well to quickly get a goat back into shape. This is a problem that only really happens with new goats to the farm. Their immune systems get compromised with the stress of travel and acclimating to their new home. They become more sucseptible to parasite overload during these times. External parasites like biting lice are very common and present in every herd typically in late winter and early Spring. It is very useful to be prepared and treat quickly! 

Raising Kids

Our farm believes in raising kids with their dam. It is a low stress option, but there are exceptions at times. It is extremely important to us that does posess keen mothering instincts. We have a busy life with three children, one having special needs, so I need my does to be good attentive mothers in those first few months of life. It takes a huge stress load and responsibility off of my shoulders when a doe is an excellent mother. I am the main caretaker of the goats during the week and long kidding season nights, so this is a very important trait for my does to have. This is one of the reasons we do not show our goats. I cannot afford to expose them to diseases that pass through milk because we manage our herd this way. Not only is this more natural, but kids who are dam raised and stay with their dams for an extended period are extremely prolific growers, are far healthier and more likely to be productive earlier. I have learned this lesson so many times pulling kids from their dams too early. Of course, every season we are bound to have a bottle baby or two, but that is a manageable number for us. I cannot stress this enough, this is an important trait for us in our herd and I do not tolerate bad mothering instincts in a doe. 

As we move towards a dairy focused operation, this will change. We will begin to pull kids at birth to start milking does from the first day of lactation. Although, it is true in some instances that kids grow better with their dams, it is not absolute. Genetics play a big role in growth rate and there are times when dams seem to enjoy raising their kids, but dont actually let them nurse as much as they should. I've witnessed both. I've also witnessed does who over feed their kids, making them lose too much condition, causing further stress from the intervention that has to take place in order to help the doe. Another thing that I have observed is, does produce far more milk when their kids are taken away. Lopsided udders are also a negative effect when you let does dam raise. It takes discipline and a close eye to manage a herd that is dam raised based. It is very much so possible and convenient on a small scale, but as our herd has grown and gotten more focused on milk productivity, we are leaning towards bottle raising instead, with the exception of brood does. 

Are Dam raised kids friendly?

There are a lot of misconceptions on dam raised goat kids. Yes sometimes kids become fearful of us if they are dam raised, even when their dams are friendly. The best way to manage this behavior is to handle the goats as much as possible when they are born and spend a lot of time with them. Dairy goats are extremely hands on animals. You must form a bond with them, afterall the goal is to someday milk them! When that day comes, believe me when I say they come around! Another thing that helps is their genetics. There are lines out there that have the best temperaments and friendliest demeanors. Those traits absolutely get passed down to their kids. Please keep in mind that a buck contributes his temperament just as much as the dam. It is imperative that you make your breeding decisions with temperament in mind. We try our best to do as much as we can to make kids friendly, from the breeding decision to the rearing of that kid goat!

Once kids are old enough they are separated completely from their dam into another pen. They will spend a minimum of 6 months, or until the dam has kidded again so that they are no longer bonded. I have had to work really hard on this with new does that absolutely hated me, and kids that were extremely bonded to their dams. I cannot stress enough how much time and patience you must have, but it is very rewarding in the end. Again, Dairy goats are a huge time investment and commitment. 

Not to mention, we spend an enormous amount of time with goat kids. Our children do an excellent job at socializing them. Kidding season is the funnest time of the year!

Breeding Season and Keeping Bucks

Here at Guajira's Farm we have a multitude of bucks for our breeding program. They each have strengths in different areas. When we are doing breedings we take does to the bucks and do a pen breeding. Observing the breeding is best so we know when to expect kids. This way we know exactly who bred with who. We keep bucks together in pairs unless they are in a breeding pen or needing a break from each other. Bucks rough house a lot and need to be in groups compatible with their size and age. We haven't had any issues and are very hands on and manage them accordingly.

In the very near future we will be collecting semen and using cryogenics in our breeding program. This is a new and very exciting endeavor. It opens the genetic pool in our herd and the possibilities are endless with what we can achive.

Milking Does

Here on our farm we believe in being able to hand milk as well as machine milk! Our breeding program focuses on well attached but easy to hand express udders, which means we take notes on our does teat sizes, openness of their orifices, as well as udder skin texture and softness. All of our does are both hand milked and machine milked on a wooden home made stanchion. We use the milking routine to trim hooves and ultrasound to confirm pregnancies. 

In our current management we start milking does after kidding, while they are also raising their kids for the first 3 months. We have focused on keeping only does that are super productive which means they not only make milk for their kids, but also provide us with their excess. This is the best practice that I have implemented, because I get to check does on the stand every day and feed them the extra carbs and calories that they need to support their milk production. We also milk out excess colostrum and store it for emergencies. Some does in our herd produce more than their little newborns can handle. It is very important for us to put the does on the milk stand from the day they freshen!

                                                                                             Kidding Pens

On our farm we have a designated kidding barn with stalls big enough to hold a standard sized doe and small enough to ensure that her newborns can access her for feeding. It is extremely is extremely important for does to be in a confined space, especially if they are not experienced mothers. Even so, I have learned that Nubians are not the brightest and experienced mothers sometimes need a bit of help and space restriction. The goal is also the safety of the newborn kids and to prevent any accidents from happening. With raising goats I have learned that if there is a possibility it is likely to happen. Every scenario that you can think of can and will happen! This is why we make sure to know the breeding date and separate the doe into a kidding stall a week before her due date. It cuts losses and heartache!