× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! Purpose: Stabilize metabolic energy, support organ function, improve nutrient uptake, and prevent collapse in does showing early signs of toxemia: lethargy, inappetence, isolation, sweet breath, weakness, refusal of feed, etc. Signs to Watch For Diagnosis Confirmation (if available) Can treat based on suspicion, even if no diagnostics available. These ingredients won’t hurt. Emergency Sweet-Electrolyte Syrup (Oral) Mix together: Add as many of the following as you can: Offer: Tip: Blend a batch and refrigerate for 2–3 doses. Warm before use. Herbal Energetics You’re Targeting Herb Function Yarrow Astringent, stabilizing, supports vascular tone and internal containment Cayenne Circulatory stimulant, supports blood sugar regulation Nettle Nutritive, supports kidneys, minerals Mullein Adrenal/lung support, gentle Read More
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Why My Goats Rarely Chose Calcium And What I Did About It
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! Let’s talk about calcium. Looking at long term sales data, the calcium in the mineral buffet is in the bottom 2 or 3 refills ordered. Some herds love it, but more often than not, we hear from herds whose goats/sheep/whoever consume little to no calcium. My own herd rarely consumes it either, though they will if they need it. The calcium in the buffet is pure oyster shell flour, something goats just don’t seem to love. Since this system was designed for cattle, I often wonder if they’re less picky about their calcium sources. I sometimes wish I had some cows still to try this out on! Based on the results Read More
I Paused FB & Google Ads. Here’s Why.
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! About a year and a half ago, I realized it was time to up my game and reach a larger audience. Prior to that, all my growth had been word of mouth – and boy did you share, thank you!! The ad team is professional and incredible and they did a great job reaching new customers. But I felt out of touch with my audience, with my vision and with my more crunchy, organic nature. Ads are so transactional and impersonal, even the best of them. And over the past year or so, I began to feel more and more distanced from my people, when you were the whole reason I Read More
Change Is a Certainty: Reflections on an Ending
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! I’ve gone quiet because I am gestating. In 16 days, I am embarking on a new journey into an entirely new life. After 21 years of marriage–most of my adult life–I am moving on. I share deeply in my weekly newsletters, but for here I’ll just say that the birthing pains are real. This is hard, and beautiful, and painful, and hopeful and it can be any one of those things on any given minute of every day, sometimes seemingly completely out of nowhere. With it though comes immense hope. The home I lived in when you came to know me was purchased with inheritance money, a gift given nearly 15 Read More
Can I Keep Bucks Together?
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! If you’re coming from a background with other livestock—especially species like pigs, rabbits or horses—you might be worried about keeping intact males in the same space. In some species, it’s a recipe for disaster. But with goats? It’s different. Goat bucks are surprisingly peaceful. I often joke about their “bro club,” because they genuinely like each other. In my experience, they often form deeper bonds with their fellow bucks than they do with the does. Once breeding season ends, I’ve watched bucks call out to each other like they miss their roommates, and when I reunite them, they settle in like they never skipped a beat. What It’s Like to Keep Read More
Dewormer Resistance in Goats
× Looking for minerals and goat supplies? Head over to our shop at GoatCare.com! Numerous studies are identifying a pattern goat producers have known for some time: goat parasites are becoming increasingly resistant to virtually every conventional dewormer available on the market today. Understanding Parasite Resistance in Livestock Management Extensive research has looked at how parasites respond to the numerous deworming options currently available. See the bibliography below for a more detailed look. With statistics as high as 90% resistance in some parasites and some treatments, we are facing a crisis that needs to be addressed. The Challenge Parasite resistance has become a significant issue in livestock management. As common dewormers become less effective, goat owners need to adapt their approach to maintain healthy animals Read More