AI’ing @ 66% Success!!!

by mrsdoni
AI’ing @ 66% Success!!!

September 2018 was the first time that we attempted to AI our goats ourselves. The last two years, we have had Capra-Gia (Mark Stevens) to AI them for us. We are THRILLED with our 66% success rate!!

Three mature does were AI’d and two of the three conceived. This 66% success rate is great for a first attempt. Tempo Kim and MLRT Victoria both conceived and will freshen on February 2, 2019. We induce parturition to ensure we are home during every delivery due to possible life-threatening complications that may arise.

Here are my AI notes and the protocol I used to sync their estrus cycles.
The girls are all in a raging heat and staring/flirting with the bucks (who are just to the left of this photo.
Here are the girls waiting to be let into their stalls.

Re-purposed Vinyl signs

by mrsdoni 0 Comments
Re-purposed Vinyl signs

After trying to use tarps for years to cover our hay & shavings and replacing them once/twice each year, we decided to try using re-purposed vinyl signs/billboard tarps instead. They are extremely heavy weight and priced reasonable.

I can say that we are thrilled with them. Their quality, durability and UV resistance will allow them to stay useful for many years.

We have used https://billboardtarps.com/ for our needs with great success and very fast shipping.

 

Mangalista cross piglets!

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Mangalista cross piglets!
8 weeks old Mangalitsa/kune-kune cross piglets

We added four (2 x barrows, 1 gilt, 1 boar) Mangalista x kune-kune cross piglets that we purchased from Santee Field Farm. (Thank you Hannah) One to butcher for our church, one to butcher for a friend and two for us. The gilt and boar are breeding stock for ourselves. They are only eight weeks old and will stay in a small pen (16 x 16) until they are large enough to train to our electric fence. Then they will have a large forest area.

Our two large hogs that you see in the background are scheduled to go to the butcher in a few weeks so our freezers will soon be full.

8 weeks old Mangalitsa/kune-kune
cross piglets

 

Alpha s1 Casein results

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Alpha s1 Casein results

We tested our three mature does and two mature bucks for Alpha s1 Casein. We’re still educating ourselves on the what the results of the casein protein represent but are leaning towards wanting to have the higher levels. The higher the level of Alpha s1 Casein, the higher the fat content which makes for more/firmer cheese/yogurt products. However, it also makes the products more sensitive to those people that are already lactose intolerant.

RESULTS:

  • Tempo Kim: (still awaiting results)

  • Lucky*Star’s LB Fathe: A/F

  • MLRT Victoria: A/A

  • MLRT Caesar: A/F

  • Majenli HH Jericho: A/F

Out Sick?

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Out Sick?

So what do you do when your sick or injured and you have a farm? Calling in sick is NOT an option. Those animals still need feed/hay/water/milking so you have to get the chores completed one way or another. If possible, your spouse (or other family member) must complete the necessary duties or you suck it up and limp through and get them finished yourself.

I recently pulled my back (it happens once or twice a year on average) and thank God I was not totally bed ridden. Although the Flexeril put me in a semi-comma and I felt horribly intoxicated for 24 hours (even only taking 1/2 a tablet). Bleh~ Good for nothing but sleeping.

The doctor says my soft/marsh-mellow mattress is horrible for my back so I guess we need to go mattress shopping soon!