Goat Wise | Meat Goats, Feeding Goats, Goat Fencing, Livestock Management

Hi friends!  A couple weeks ago, we talked about how to help goats thrive in winter, and right after that, a good portion of the United States started experiencing extreme cold temperatures for their typical climate.  So today I want to talk specifically about how to support your livestock during extreme cold when you and your animals are not accustomed or adapted to it.  Let’s dive in!   Episode...

Hi friends!  It’s time for a chicken episode!  Today we’re talking about meat birds because it’s time to order if you’re going to raise chicks this year and you want to be able to get the exact birds you are looking for.  We’ll be talking about the different types, pros and cons of each, and by the time we’re done, you’ll be ready to decide what is going to work best for you whether it’s Cornish C...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about how goats adapt to winter weather, things you can do to help them thrive in winter, and some things you shouldn’t do that seem helpful, but end up being problematic.  We’ll talk about winter coats and shelters, and how other animals compare in their ability to tolerate cold and snow.  In ranch-terms, we use the word “winter” to not only indicate the season bu...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about the social needs of livestock and why they need to be raised with others, preferably of their own kind, to make sure they are happy, healthy and productive.  Listen in to find out why you don’t want to raise animals alone whether you’re raising them for food or breeding purposes.   All the Best! Millie     Related Episode:   24 | What Is That Smell? The Bucks...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about breeding season and buck management.  I’ll share our management plan for bucks through the year, some mistakes we’ve made and tips to avoid making the same mistakes, as well as some simple things you can do that make a big difference when dealing with common buck problems.  With adequate space and good fencing, you can have a great buck experience.   All the...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about replacement does and how and why our management system has changed over the past couple of years.  Should you breed your does to kid as yearlings or 2-year-olds or something in between?  It’s a question we hear a lot, and every breeder does it differently, so I’m going to walk you through the evolution of our breeding plan and what we’re doing now.  By the en...

Hi friends!  It’s been a while since I did an off-grid living episode, so today I’m going to give you the big picture of our off-grid move and then talk about what we miss the most after 2+ years living here and what we’re doing to remedy that.     All the Best! Millie   Episode Mentions:   09 | The Most Important Nutrient for All Livestock is WATER, Time-Saving Tips for Meeting Animal Requirement...

Hi friends!  In today’s episode we’ll be talking more about winter hay feeding, monitoring your feed and waste, and how to determine if you’re meeting the nutrient requirements for your goats.  I’ll go through the process I use to evaluate our hay feeding and how to make changes if things aren’t working the way you planned.  This one’s loaded with details, so grab a pencil, and let’s jump in!   Al...

Hi friends!  In today’s episode we’ll be talking about animal loss in livestock herds, how to prepare for it, how much death loss is likely to happen, and how to get your expectations in line with the realities of raising animals and the losses that come along with it.  It’s important to understand that success isn’t necessarily keeping them all alive, because that’s not possible, but you can have...

Hi friends!  In today’s episode I’ll be answering some questions that came in after last week’s dairy goat episode.  I’ll be focusing on the actual milking process including stand training your does, milking equipment, and milk handling the way it works for us.  We’re a little unconventional in our dairying practices, so listen in if you lean towards doing things your own way.   All the Best! Mill...

Hi friends!  In today’s episode I’ll be sharing why we got started with dairy does, how we manage them in a very unconventional way, the challenges we had, why it works for us and our busy life, and how you can do it too.  If you’re thinking about getting dairy goats for your own milk consumption or to feed bottle babies, this episode is for you!   All the Best! Millie   Mentions: Sage Ag Labs for...

Hi friends!  In this episode we’ll be talking about preparing your coop and chickens for winter.  We’ll talk about the changing nutritional needs of your birds as they molt and how to meet those needs, some options for easier water, requirements for their shelter and bedding, and the big question, heat lamps.  Should they be used or not?  I’ll also share my strategy to avoid a winter egg drought,...

Hi friends!  In this episode we’ll be talking about making livestock decisions on the ranch or homestead, how to evaluate your decision-making process, and how to use that information to make a better-informed decision the next time.  To help explain this, I’ll be sharing about a frustrating and slightly embarrassing problem we faced on the ranch recently.  There are lots of nuggets of knowledge i...

Hi friends!  In this episode we’ll be talking about evaluating your goats to see if they’re healthy, need any hoof work, and if their body condition is right for the season they’re in.  I’ll talk you through determining Body Condition Score, why it’s important, and how to use it to improve the overall health and productivity of your goat herd.   All the Best! Millie   Mentions:   Body Condition Sc...

Hi friends!  In this episode we’ll be talking about winter feeding, how to calculate how much hay you need, the best way to store it and a strategy that will help you thrive even when hay prices are volatile or the weather gets extreme.  This information will apply to all species not just goats.  I’ll also be sharing some exciting news and some fun things coming up, so grab a notebook and pencil a...

SHOW NOTES:   Hi friends!  Last week we talked about does, age of breeding, and I briefly mentioned keeping replacement does out of the top 1/3 of the doe kids, but what I didn’t tell you, is how to determine which doe kids make up the top third or how to rank the does.  So today, we’re going to break this down a little more as well as talk about goat breeding plans and strategies.   All the Best!...

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about does, different options on when to breed them, and I’ll give you a strategy to use to determine whether your does are ready to breed or not.  I’ll also be talking about replacement does, expected replacement percentages and how to use those numbers to reach your goals of herd improvement and growth.  You might want to jot down some numbers today, so grab a no...

Hi friends!  We’re harvesting animals and stocking the freezers, so what better time to talk about the food system, food storage, and how to build your food security, specifically as it relates to meat and protein.  We’ll be talking about simple ways to get started building your food storage, things to consider when it comes to buying and storing meat, and how to build a relationship with a local...

Hi friends!  The bucks are in rut and smelling ripe, so today we’re going to talk about what you need to know about buck management and selection, if you should own a buck or not, the options you have to get your does bred without owning a buck, and how to select your buck if the time is right for you to own one or two.  Let’s dive in and figure out the best breeding option for your farm or homest...

Hi friends!  Last week we started talking about how to choose the right meat goat for your climate and environment, and the things you need to consider.  This week we’re talking about the five most prominent meat goat breeds, and we’ll wrap up with tips on where to get your first meat goats and how to get them off to a great start.  This episode is loaded with information, so grab a pencil and not...

Hi friends!  In the next two episodes we’re talking about how to choose the right meat goat for your climate and environment.  Today we’ll discuss things to consider, and next week in Part 2 we’ll talk about the five most prominent meat goat breeds, and we’ll wrap up with tips on where to get your first meat goats and how to get them off to a great start.  This episode is loaded with information,...

Hi friend!    Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about sustainability, how to evaluate options to determine which ones are most sustainable long-term and how that will help you increase your future self-sufficiency.  We’ll be talking about a sustainability mindset as it relates to your home, food, and especially livestock.   All the Best! Millie   Join our email list and be first to get updates and...

Hi friend!    Today we’re talking about lessons learned raising 4-H livestock over the last decade, and how those same lessons apply to raising livestock for food, homesteading, and self-sufficiency.  We’ll be talking about the way we approach the 4-H livestock program, which tends to be quite different than others, but it’s resulted in a lot of success for us, and how we use those same things we’...

Hi, friend!   Today I have a special guest on the show, my oldest daughter, Sage, who turned 18 in March and is finishing up her last year in 4-H.  We talk about the lessons she’s learned raising livestock, how it has affected her and her life view, the way it opens communication as we work together, and she even has a bit of advice for parents who want to give their kids the same experience.  Thi...

Hi, friend!   Today I have a special guest on the show, my oldest daughter, Sage, who turned 18 in March and is finishing up her last year in 4-H.  We talk about the lessons she’s learned raising livestock, how it has affected her and her life view, the way it opens communication as we work together, and she even has a bit of advice for parents who want to give their kids the same experience.  Thi...