HERD MANAGEMENT

 

We conduct the following herd management practices.

 

Overall Management

• Our focus is for high quality breeding stock animals to pass along excellent Nigerian Dwarf qualities

• We breed and raise only 100% Nigerian Dwarfs goats

• We are AWA certified which are the highest animal welfare standards in the world for farm animals

• We are a closed herd to ensure the health and well-being of our current herd and future generations

• We interact with the goats on a daily basis to ensure they are people-friendly and easy to handle

• We allow animals to live naturally

• We only deworm when necessary

 

Health Management

• CDT vaccinations

• FAMACHA deworming protocols

• Body Condition Scoring (1-5 scores)

• Regular fecal evaluations using McMaster counting slides

• Our farm is disease-free from all diseases listed below

• Tested and cleared of the following diseases:

  • Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL)

  • Caprine Arthritis Encephalities (CAE)

  • Johne's Disease

  • Soremouth (Orf)

  • Brucellosis

  • Footrot

  • Scrapie

 

On-farm Performance Testing

• Animal identification

• Detailed record keeping

• Average daily gains

• Weight performance

• Contemporary group comparison

• Litter size

• Sire and doe evaluation

• Health evaluations

• Fecal egg counts

• Hoof health

 

Nutritional Values

• Rotational paddock schedules

• Free-choice minerals

• Supplemental vitamins for pregnant does

• Clean fresh water available at all times