megan

Goats are pretty cool, I guess.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

@NoFarmsNoFoods We're seeing the return of local co-op stores. Our community created a local creamery and it is thriving. People are ready for this!

[megan @thegoatgirl]

@chickenincrisis You're a chicken, it must be peas...for Protein. 😁

[megan @thegoatgirl]

For eye health, colloidal silver is all I use in all animals, and humans too!

[megan @thegoatgirl]

Discharge after kidding is normal for up to 6 weeks, just like with humans. An off odor, lethargy, lack of interest in feed and isolation indicate trouble, but IME this is very rare in healthy goats.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

The "bro club" is real. Bucks love to live together and form bonds with each other. Based on my observation, I think they bond closer than does, who tend to be "mean girls" at times. And yes, they *can* live together.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

Selenium maps are not accurate to specific locations. Soil and forage testing or blood testing your animals is the only way to be sure of their selenium status. We map "deficient" and blood test "high."

[megan @thegoatgirl]

If it has clean water and the ability to drink, a goat will never kill itself from dehydration. Stop measuring water consumption and trust that the goat wants to live as much as you want it to.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

Raising goats is like raising kids. At some point you realize what was missing all along is: less is more.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

A three-sided shelter is better than a fully enclosed one. Goats have delicate respiratory systems and need clean air. Their coats will do the work of keeping them warm.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

The best solution for lice I've encountered in nearly two decades of raising goats is: sulfur powder dusted topically. Cheap, easy, no long term side effects.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

Color "doesn't put milk in the pail," but it sure makes gazing at my herd more enjoyable.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

Goats know how to be goats better than humans know how goats should be.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

If we give our goats the nutrition and environment they need to thrive, they'll fare better if we stop trying to intervene.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

Goats and humans can have a symbiotic relationship. I don't force my goats unless they will die otherwise. They give me milk, I give them excellent feed, both parties willing.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

Good nutrition, good environment, low stress. Do these 3 and your herd's health will improve.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

If goats couldn't mother their own kids, they'd have died out long before humans domesticated them.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

When is it bullying vs. normal behavior? Goats shake off normal headbutting, but bullied goats will show fear behavior: cowering in the corner, extreme avoidant behavior such as not going to the feeder or shelter, and even sometimes shaking in fear.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

@chefsevenn I can't possibly eat it all before it goes bad. Guess I'll share it with the goats!

[megan @thegoatgirl]

@WallStreetMav That can't be good.

[megan @thegoatgirl]

Goats are browsers. They're built to work for food, reaching and moving and choosing. The closer we get to that in our systems, the happier and healthier they are.