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GOATS!
We've been breeding Nigerian Dwarf goats for several years and we love them but we have chosen to switch to Kinder goats because of their dual meat/milk purpose and the increased milk yield per animal. I looked at as many photos of Kinder goats as possible to educate my eye and decide which genetic lines I wanted for my foundation stock. There are a number of excellent herds created by the careful breeding of patient and skilled breeders. There is a lot of cooperation and goodwill in the Kinder community and it's been a pleasure to meet new people.
Our New Herd
Although I'd have liked to choose kids from several herds it did not make practical sense. I already have my eye on where I'd like to buy future stock. My foundation kids are coming from Sue Beck's Pricker Patch Farm in Wisconsin and I don't think I could have found a nicer person to deal with. She has spent countless hours assessing her kid crop to help decide which ones to send East to help jumpstart the Kinder breed in New England. She's also helped me choose 2 doelings from a nearby herd. She is sending kids both to our farm and to Jennifer Peotter's Dirigo Farm in the neighboring town of Chesterfield, MA. Between our 2 farms we'll have 3 bucks and 7 does to get our breeding program off to a good start.
Our Herd Management Style
We delight in the livestock we raise here and we're working to provide the best diet and management options possible to maintain a high level of health and happiness in our herd. We avoid genetically engineered feed and use natural methods as much as possible. We're committed to raising food in ways that are respectful to the plants and animals in our care. Our goats are loved and given access to pastures, stone walls for climbing, and platforms for sleeping and acrobatics. They are all friendly and people-loving. When we walk into the stalls or pasture they come over for attention.
We let our does raise their own babies because we believe their mothers are most capable about teaching them about what it means to be a goat. Some people believe that dam-raised kids are shy or wild but we know that that they get enough human interaction to become wonderfully friendly. Our biggest problem with the little ones born here is that they all try to jump into our laps at once and there isn't enough room!
We disbud all the goats born here to avoid accidental injuries and so that they can be shown by any future owner. We give the dams CDT vaccination toward the end of pregnancy to provide some protection to the kids but we do not do any other routine vaccinations. We provide free-choice minerals of various types and feed the best quality hay we can buy.