Herd Health and Performance
Bucks and does are tested yearly for CAE, TB, and Brucellosis. The entire herd is certified by the State of Virginia as TB and Brucellosis free. Nubians, where noted, have been tested for G6S and so far all animals tested have been Normal.
We participate in the ADGA ITP-02 plan for our annual milk records (DHIR) and have an independent verification test each year. Linear Appraisal (LA) has been done semi-annually in the past but we hope to have our animals appraised yearly. We feel this is a valuable tool to see trends in individual animals as they mature as well as allowing us to seek out particular traits we want to focus on improving in family lines.
All goats are fed a wholesome ration depending on status and age. Breeding bucks and does get a feed ration that is hand mixed and includes sunflower seeds, whole grains, wheat and rice bran, alfalfa pellets, and beet pulp. Kids get a blended sweet feed from our local mill with Deccox for coccidia prevention. All goats get year round pasture and grass hay as well as Bicarb and a high quality custom mineral mix. Heavy milking does are supplemented with alfalfa pellets and beet pulp on top of what is in their ration. All animals are on a part chemical and part herbal worming program. We do believe in prevention and vaccination and we are currently using Calvary 9 to vaccinate against enterotoxemia and tetanus. We also use supplements of Kelp, feeding yeast, Bo-Se for Selenium, and Copasure for Copper Deficiency. More in-depth articles about feeding, vaccinating, copper, and other management issues will be featured in our library at a later date
Thank you for visiting!
Daniel and Karen Torrence
