Join us at the Southside Occupational Academy on February 9. We will be bringing Ophelia and Twist to receive all visitors. Deborah Neimann-Boehle of Antiquity Oaks will be speaking on nutrition in goats. My focus will be about city goats and intense management practices required to keep them healthy. We will have a session in Spanish. We look forward to visiting with you there.
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Glennart Farm like all farms in Illinois has been preparing for the arctic weather this week. We stuff straw in holes in the eaves of the garage roof area, secure the windows, and close and seal the chicken door at night. The record HIGH tomorrow is expected to be -14.
All the girls will stay inside that day. The hens will be released to eat inside the garage to prevent frostbite on their claws. The deep litter of the hay in the garage brings the temperature up 10 degrees. Hay and water will need to be checked with the goats. It appears we have an interloper alley cat sleeping in the 10 foot high bales of hay. He/She has been eating the food and using the garage litter box. Today we woke to 5 degrees which is slowly falling with the increased wind to zero. Our side pen is secure from wind. The goats were happy to be in the sunlight for some hours. We humans are unrecognizable as we bundle up with layer upon layer of pants, shirts, hats, socks, and scarves. Goats and chickens seem to be fine, we pray for the humans to be safe. Every year consists of a learning curve. This is the year of nutrition focus and health. I have been studying appropriate nutrition for our goats as they face having their babies in the spring. We have two first year 'fresheners' who are having their first babies. Making certain the kids grow in the womb without complications later, is a careful process.
Grain amounts and contents help or hinder development of pregnant does. Two new elements have been added to their grain mix. Their current grain consists of a 16% calf feed which works fairly well. Our new policy is feeding them smaller amounts twice daily. Once a day I add Diamond VS yeast and kelp less than an ounce per goat. Mixed properly they will eat it with the grain. I feed it to them when they are particularly hungry in the morning and night. Too much grain too early in the pregnancy can cause toxic effects as well as babies that are too big to be born easily. Hay is important and vital. I spent time in the fall searching for a farmer with the right grass mix with alfalfa. Praise God Michael Uremovich has the number of bales we need for 2019. The alfalfa percentage works for us and still has its green chlorophyll which means it is stored well. Meanwhile the girls are waiting for spring. Hopefully we will receive a number of fairly warm days to walk to the pasture. Both Starry Night and Emma still appear quite frisky after their time with boys. Everyone will be ready to explore more space. |
Carolyn Ioder
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GOAT NOTES(Carolyn's dates & thoughts)
February
2/4/17 Girls come home! 2/4/2017 applied for Funding WWOOFUSA 2/11/ 2017 Root Riot Meeting at Glennart. Planning garden changes. 2/18/2017 > Urban Livestock EXPO Cheese Document plan EXCEL Program 2/27/2016 > FIRST GGG Gathering March 3/9/2017 Plant: Spinach, lettuce indoors 3/21/2017 First day of SPRING!!!! 3/22/2017 Plant carrots with garlic April 4/1/2016 Plan/repair pasture fencing 4/5/2017 set up potato beds 4/12/2017 Kidding Season begins > Plant potatoes 4/21/17 Milking season begins 4/25/2016 Set up fencing May > Kidding season continues 5/20/17 Spring Gathering 5/25/16 plant Sweet potato in beds watermelon. squash 5/10/16 Cheese making begins 5/15-7/2/16 Last two does duePatsy and Destiny June July Sale of bucklings August > Sale of bucklings > Weaning begins September > Cheese making continues October > Sale of doelings > Cheese making continues November > Dry out the does December > Does to Wisconsin for breeding |