Fir Meadow

Miscarriage and Goats

2010-02-11T17:31:00.000-08:00

Hello!!!! Pictured here is Faith. On Monday, the 8th, while doing chores, I noticed Faith in a corner by herself, with a bit of telltale (telltail? :) ) red discharge. "Oh dear" I thought, as I pulled her out of the barn and built her LITTLE temporary pen. Notice this pen is only 6 foot by 6 foot triangle as 'bed rest' is part of her natural healing program....

I put a warm goat coat on her, as goats under stress can't always maintain thier body temperature well, and I went to the house to grab my herbmix- "KeepHer".... This is a nice product to have on hand- it's usually too late to order once you have an event in progress. In the past, before I knew what I now know about herbs, within 12 hours of seeing red discharge we'd have an abortion on our hands... I took 1 heaping teaspoon of herbmix, put it in a pint canning jar, and filled with very hot DISTILLED water- distilled pulls more phytochemicals out of the herbs than any other water. Once room temperature I drenched 80 cc's down her- being careful not to upset her or move her much- for every step could get us closer to having a real problem on our hands.... She got 3 doses of that, 30 minutes apart, then went to hourly for the remainder of that day. I put a water bucket in with her- hung up higher than her hips so that she couldn't deficate or drop aborted babies into it... Day 2- Wow- we have a day 2 to work with! She gets her herbs 3x a day, still 80 cc. And Day 3, I also dissolve some wheat germ capsules into her water and some ginger for additional support. She will continue on this regimine until she either loses her pregnancy or kids. We will remove the wheat germ oil from her diet 2 weeks before she is due. She will remain in this pen until we have kids. To put her back with the does, even if she is looking good, is very risky.

Faith was 38 days from kidding when this happened. Possible causes could have been a hard fall, either caused by a misstep but probably more likely a scuffle with a herdmate. In those cases, at times you can have a 'plancenta previa' or 'partial abruption' of the placenta, which may be what has happened in this case. That means that the placenta has partially torn or has begun to tear away from the uterine wall. Not a good thing at any time, but especially before a doe is within 10 days of her due date. The kids are not yet considered 'fully baked' before that. Three weak preemies can sometimes be saved, but before that it's really tough rocks.... You need them in a very small pen, each time they take a large stride, move fast, or have a doe pester them, that rocking movement of the body can cause the placenta to tear away more.

Last year we had a doe, Nasturium, start aborting a month from her due date, probably after a serious barn scuffle as she is the herd queen, and there are a couple does that would like that position.... I gave her this same product, knowing that if the kid/s were still viable (alive and at least moderately strong), that this mix would help her hold the pregnancy. BUT, if the kid/s were dead or seriously compromised, it would cause the doe to abort them and clean out properly, without my assistance, thereby keeping her clean inside. When she did abort, it was very clear that her single kid had slipped off the naval within that day, as the skin was torn away at that location and the naval already severed. One month later we brought that doe into milk with MilkMaid, and she peaked somewhere between 9 and 10 pounds- not too shabby for a 9 year old doe, aborting, a single kid, and not milking until one month later....

Anyone that would like to say prayers for Faith we certainly welcome that. She's a sweetie and we'd like to save her kids if possible. If we lose them, then we do, that's a part of goat keeping sometimes, but if God keeps them here you know they'll be spoiled :).

Good Afternoon! Timbrel, Reflexology, etc...

2010-02-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

We have a sunny day after several days of overcast and rain. To be enjoyed for sure! Timbrel is improving- the doe that tore/severed the main tendon to her knee end of November. She is still splinted, but is now using the leg part of the time, and can stand with it unsplinted, though the leg is not yet perfectly straight, so we keep salving it. She is being salved every other day- every day would have been ideal, but with my husband's schedule every other day works better. So we are at 2 months and still making progress. She really likes me rubbing it when the splint is removed- I can imagine she gets itchy under there!!! She's allowed to wander the barn in the daytime- so she can get some sunlight and some exercise. She's not a get into everything goat, so it works well...

Ladies are getting much more pregnant. We wonder what we have in those tummies??? :).

Herb Business is a nice moderate steady- we thank the Lord for that... Kat's reflexology work is all complete and a 95% was earned on my test. A good 1/2 of the test was on the endocrine system- so I am VERY GLAD I studied my notes on those sections!!! As soon as my diploma makes it here I can be state certified. That will be nice. It's such a HELPFUL technique for human health. If your dog or cat will let you- you CAN reflex their paws. Just push firmly on their paw pads. If you find they pull away at a spot or flinch, you have found an area that needs to be worked on- firmly but gently, you want to try and work it out if they will let you...

Spring cleaning- outside, inside, and my insides :). I've been doing a lot of juicing, herb teas, herb mixes, for internal maintenance. Always a good thing after the holiday season :O). Don't forget your pets and creatures wouldn't mind spring cleaning as well...

I did get a real fun story this week- I hear that a year ago a gal in Oklahoma with a 5 year old grey gelding had a sarcoid (cancerous growth in horses) between his rump halves under the tail. It was interfering with his work and it was continuing to grow. They told me that by using the CanCieze salve they had it gone in 6 weeks....

Currently I'm studying hard on Iridology so that I can try to complete my level 2 exam in a week or two.... It will be fun to apply it to the goats as well as other creatures. It also will give insight as to what emotional tendencies each one has- this can be seen in the eyes as well :O).

I hear we're in for more rain, and many in this country (75%) are doing snow and/or ice. Every one stay WARM and BE BLESSED :).

Dairy goat weight...

2010-01-13T12:06:00.000-08:00

It never fails, someone will be over looking at the goats and they'll exclaim, "Wow, that goat is FAAAAAAT!!!". I then casually go into the explanation that these are dairy goats, that they are milk factories, and that to be able to produce a lot of milk, they need to be able to consume and process a large amount of feed, primarily in roughage (including hay). So that barrel they are looking at is body capacity and NOT FAT. And this usually happens in summer, so they aren't pregnant either.....

Pictured on the left see Valiant- a 3 year old in the photo- see the large barrel that I hope he passes on to his daughters (and is!), but see you can still see his bone structure- spine, hip, pin bones (under tail), but they aren't jutting out either....

How do we know that a dairy goat is proper weight? How do I know if I am feeding enough or too much? Here's a brief explanation that has worked for us for the last 10 years, allowing us to raise goats that can go the distance year after year being healthy and productive...

Hay: Ours get all they can eat within reason, and primarily alfalfa. The alfalfa discussion I'll save for another time, but suffice it to say it is VERY IMPORTANT for a dairy goat and don't let anyone talk you out of it.... Assuming the hay is clean, good quality, and no mold or dust (most 'dust' really is mold- don't feed it!), if they leave a bunch of extra in their feeders, then you are feeding too much. If on the other hand 'the plate is licked clean'- there is almost no waste or none, then you are not feeding enough- the goat/s lower on the totem pole will not be getting enough hay to sustain a healthy body or production.

Grain: feed per label directions to start with. And start them on grain slowly before they kid (see my last blog on feeding preggo does). Make any grain changes slowly- mixing some of the old brand with the new, then once a week upping it more. I usually go 1/2 and 1/2, then 3/4 new 1/4 old, then to just the new. takes 2 to 3 weeks but protects those flora hanging out in the rumen and villi in the intestine...

I have found that the alfalfa quality/quantity largely dictates the quantity of milk, and the grain largely dictates the weight of my doe. A non working doe can get fat on just alfalfa, we are not talking about buck or dry doe feeding here, just those ready to lactate or are lactating...

For weight though on any dairy goat- age, workload, or sex.....

1 to 2x a week I run a pinch test.... Stand beside your goat next to the front leg. On the outside of the goat, near where the body attaches to the leg, you will see a joint/knob facing the rear of the goat. This is their elbow. An inch or two behind that, with my thumb and forefinger, I pull the skin and tissue. On my dairy goats in summer I want at least 1/4 inch of flesh in there, up to 1/2 inch. In the winter I like 1/2 inch. If they under- I up the grain slowly, if they are over, I cut the grain a bit. As their lactation increases and decreases you'll find they need changes in the amount of grain they get. Also you'll notice individual differences and family line differences.

Also I like to run my hand along their rib cage. I should feel and slightly see the ribs in summer hair coat, but I should be able to feel a small tissue layer between my hand and the ribs. The skin should glide over the bones. If I feel any 'sharpness' to it, the goat is underweight....

Make sure in the winter months, when they are hairier, that you continue to feel. A skinny goat can easily hide under all that hair...

Don't forget routine parasite control to allow your goats to get the most out of their feed. It's expensive to feed parasites...

blessings ! Kat

Dairy goat feeding.....

2010-01-13T11:56:00.000-08:00

We have started 'lead' feeding a few girls. One is a coming yearling and is due in just over a month, so she is just being started on a 14% grain- she gets a large handful. I'll work her up to about 3/4 pound over the next 4 weeks, adding a bit more each Monday which is the day I adjust grain.... It works for me...

I have a couple does that are just absolutely huge- not fat, just packing possibly a lot of kids. Those I have also started lead feeding some grain- they are getting about 1/4 pound of grain per day right now, again I'll increase that by about 1/4 pound each Monday... This is to prevent Ketosis as they are going to have diminished rumen space sooner, which means they won't be able to consume as much feed at a time, which could put them at a nutrient and carbohydrate deficit... These ladies are due the first week of March and are 3 and 4 years old...

Right now the herd is on 2/3 alfalfa hay and 1/3 grass hay. Due dates mostly fall into last week of Feb and 1st 2 weeks of March....

They get Kop-Sel and DWorm BWW mixed in their kelp that I'm offering them 2x a week, and also I put about 1 1/2 tsp on the grain of any does getting lead fed.... I will start putting kelp out every other day, and once they are all in milk they will have it in the bottom of their grain pan, so they can eat it after their grain if they want it....

They have their rain barrelled water for soft water, and right now the weather is contributing well to keeping that full....

Blessings! Kat

Cat abscess...

2010-01-13T11:40:00.000-08:00

Well well well.... Cats can be hard to work on or work with. Their independent minds often decide they want nothing to do with you if something is wrong, and they have claws to reinforce that thought if wanted.... When I have to do something with our cat we roll her up in a towel so that only her head sticks out. It sure helps a lot!

Late November our about 6 pound 12 year old cat started abcessing through her skull. Great, we were getting ready to go on a vacation so the timing wasn't perfect, and I needed something to work and work fast... Since it was our cat I went full barrell.... One location had already broken, possibly she had gotten clawed or bitten by a neighbor cat? We'll never know, but that is one source of those things... It was white, creamy/fluidy pus and of course the skull was visible underneath. The other location about an inch under that one on the side of her face was about 3/4 inch wide, by 1 1/2 inches wide and raised about 1/4 inch.... Ick.

I took HerBiotic tincture and squirted one on each location, also one full squirt into her mouth (enough for around 75 pounds of animal which I am comfortable with on this product). Then I took the EucLav blend of essential oil and put 2 to 3 drops on each location. We did this once every day- we could only catch her about that often! in 3 days we saw large improvement, and in five days gone. In a couple weeks after our return from our trip even the hair had grown back, no scar to indicate anything had ever been there..... The second abcess never blew, but went back down to normal skin texture and feel...

thank you God for the wonderful plants!

Kat

Delayed blogging

2010-01-13T11:39:00.000-08:00

I'm so sorry for the delays- I have been trying to get on here for a few weeks. Let me tell you, misplacing your password is NOT a good thing if you are trying to keep up on a blog! They should be updated more regular now. THanks for your patience!

blessings, Kat

Broken leg/ligament damage?

2009-12-01T12:16:00.000-08:00

Hey, wishing all of you a wonderful Holy-day season! Anyhow, during chore time a couple days ago, we found one of our sweetest personality does lying down unable to get up. By the looks of the goat berry pile behind her, she'd been there awhile. Once I leaned next to her she put her neck against me and used me to get herself up. That's when we saw her left knee swinging- no integrity to it... but thankfully not compound (no damage visible in the skin) Ick.

My husband and I lifted her front end and she walked with her rear legs to the stall we had prepared for her, so no one could pester her. Then we made splints (two paint sticks cut to approprate length) work good here. So first I gave her about 50 cc's of HerBamine tincture for traditional pain and inflammation support, then we put large amounts of Wounderful! and ReBuilld Salves on her. then wrap- at first used a paper towel, then the splints, then vetwrap. Now I have guazing rolls- about 6 inches wide, the paint sticks splinting, with electrical tape to keep approprate spacing and to help me get the splint on quicker, then vetwrap... She gets God's Greens in her whole oats, and has very nice alfalfa hay. She is eating well, and each day already we are seeing her and it more stable. If experience serves me on this one, she should be very stable on the leg in just 2 1/2 to 3 weeks, and we'll continue salving til the injury is about 40 to 45 days old and we ought to be done... Note that we never put vetwrapping directly over the salves- the salves will pull dye into the leg- NOT a good thing. so the guazing is important- it also cushions the splint so it's not hard on the leg. Splint goes from a few inches above the knee, to about 1 inch below the coronet band covering about 1/2 of the hooves...

Have been having 'fun' with the reflexology labs. Saw these tools relieve a ladies 3 to 4 day long stiff/sore neck problem- in about 5 minutes. Helped a neighbor relieve a migraine in a 30 minute session a couple days ago.... What a blessing this tool is...

Many many blessings!

Kat

Salmon Poisening in dogs

2009-11-20T13:11:00.000-08:00

We are getting requests for help in this area.... For those of you with dogs, please don't share any salmon or salmon parts with them- trash bag anything you don't want and get if off of your place... Watch that your dogs do not have access to salmon streams as well...

For those that want to take precautions in case their dog has gotten into some, or if you dog has... I would use HerBiotic tincture and DWorm T or DWorm MLL on my own dogs for this issue for several days in a row. The tinctures have a 3 to 5 year shelf life, so keeping some on hand isn't that difficult.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone :)

blessings, Kat

Mid November updates...

2009-11-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

I think I see the sun peaking out, maybe we'll have some afterall! Mornings are cool in the milkroom (actually milk area). We don't have heat out there, so it makes you get extra efficient with chore time! Last year we did roof in the area that will be our milkroom- directly behind the barn. Later this winter my husband is hoping to get wall and floors (concrete) in. We'll see. We pay as we go, and concrete is expensive. All according to God's will and timing.... Goaties are doing well however, starting to decide who to go ahead and dry off, and who I want to keep milking longer for their milk records etc. Had test this week, so Rosine ought to be over 4000 pounds. We'll have hardcopy reports probably late next week... We think we are done breeding, unless someone recycles.... We have decided to keep Zana Hosanna as a dry yearling... Have a 4Her coming later today to look at our togg bred doelings, perhaps to get one as a project goat... We certainly don't need 5 bred togg doelings :)!

Praise God I finished my first reflexology level last night. One more book, my labs (work on the feet of 8 people weekly for 5 weeks and charting it), and the final test and I'll have the coursework done. Then to look into Oregon's final licensing requirements/fees.... I have already learned so much! helped a neighbor's knee feel immediatly better this week- didn't even touch her knee :). After that my husband decided I could help him with his chronic tendonitis. That will take longer due to it's chronic nature. But he could immedidately feel improvement in pain and movement... So it's all fun.... and helpful too. Fearfully and wonderfully made we are for sure! Iridology, I am just sending off for my exam in level one today. It ought to be here later next week. So the remainder of this week and next week will involve a lot of study time for that... That field, as well, is just simply AMAZING! It' s also fascinating to me to see how the herbalism, reflexology, aromatherapy and iridology info overlaps back and forth. Could indicate a same Creator me thinks... ;O) Aromatherapy exam results have come in and looks like I did well, so that certification is on it's way. I'll have to look into Oregon requirments on that. I'm not sure if I can practice with an Aromatherapist title in this state without a LMT license... I'll find out later... Interesting how some alternatives are regulated by licensing and some are not (like herbalism as it's not recognized by the govt)...

After a lot of research, we have released a new tincture this week- one that gives the support needed in cases of lungworm, liver fluke, and menengial worm (deer) problems. It actually doesn't taste THAT bad. Bad yes, That Bad, no. Yes, I do taste and try everything I make...

Speaking at the Oregon Meat Goat Breeders conference was fine. Nice group of people, and the fact that the conference was local was bonus for me :). No overnights :). We may have two speaking engagements coming out of contacts the Lord made from this one. We'll see. It's up to Him. I'm certainly in no rush for those!

Flus are making their rounds and I'm getting local calls for herbal help on those. The media has people so scared. Aware is good. Scared is not.... As flus go, the most media-ized one is not a bad flu as far as flus go, so nothing to panic over, but certainly flus should never be ignored either...

I hope this finds everyone doing well! And a very Happy Thanksgiving! Even though this world appears to be getting more strange, we reallly really do have so very much to Thank God for.

Blessings, Kat

Fall updates....

2009-11-13T08:46:00.001-08:00

Hoping this finds all of you blessed as we approach our Thanksgiving season.... :) It's been a busy couple of months how do we summarize?

Breeding season is nearly done, come the very last few days of Feb and March it is going to be crazy around here with so many bred so close together.... We're excited about the upcoming kid crop though! Still milking, though we will be tapering down on that after the next test- drying some up... Rosine is at 3900 and going, we plan to keep her in milk for a full 305... We also had one buck collected yesterday, Zabulon "Lonnie", so have him in the tank for future use, and have a possible buck sale in the works to Canada...

ON the herb side, wow, we are really going through the ReBuilld salves- I'm not sure if that's good or bad- that means there are injuries out there to be nurtured, but at least it's good that we have a product that is helping people :). We have a new tapeworm tincture and new menengial worm, lung worm, and liver fluke tincture in process.... We've had many requests for something for those parasites.... I really really like that RespirAide syrup! Besides doing the eucalyptus nostril swipes on 7/8 month old kids, any that had more than just a bit of a runny nose I give about 20 cc of the RespirAide usually about 3 or 4x a day and it turns them right around. Obviously for a serious problem I would give it more frequently, and combine other products & therapies with it.... ClostridEaze has come in handy this week as well. Shekkinah dumped her head into the grain barrel- we don't think she got too much- but you never know and they sure don't fess up! So I gave her about 3 tablespoons of ClostridEaze as a precautionary measure, and did that for two more followups. We never did have any problems with her, thankfully....

I did finish my aromatherapy exam a couple weeks ago, and am in the middle of both reflexology and holistic iridology... Both are absolutely fascinating!

Puppies. We had a puppy surprise this fall! It takes us 2 months to make vet apptments for doggie alterations. So 3 days before Lug's appointment, he and Peaches had a quick romance, and 2 months later we have 6 pyrenees puppies! Some are presold, some are still available. They are ready for new homes Nov 21st... This cross has made some real nice working dogs... They have been purchased to protect goats/sheep, one to protect a small pet dog, and also to protect children from predators....

Last saturday I had the pleasure of teaching an herb class in Redding for goat breeders. It was a lot of fun seeing friends and meeting new people. Thank-you for your support & hospitality as well!

This saturday I'm teaching at the Oregon meat goat conference, and I expect that will be a lot of fun as well. The best part is it is pretty local this year- so not too much for travel time :).

Blessings All,

Kat

Aug misc herb/goat updates

2009-08-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

Hello!

People have been asking us if we have an herbal product for heartworm support- yes we do, it's called DWorm H and is a tincture. It can be placed in their food, their water if they will drink it, or given orally. It is meant to give traditional heart support along with chasing the problems responsible for any damage. This could also be used in larger dosages along with high dosages of PreVent for traditonal support in parvo.

Our milker, Rosine, has made it onto the ADGA breedleader list for her last year's milk record. This is her year! LA 92, breedleader, milk awards at the national show, and 3 finished LA 91 adult kids :). God has blessed.

I will be in and out for September, but my husband is able to reach me when I am in cell range. We are planning on showing at state fair (Oregon), and then I was given a spot by my husband to go to a ladie's retreat out of state with some gals at our church for a graduation present. Even at this late date God allowed us to be able to use frequent flier miles for the airfare!

Blessings, Kat

Josephine County Fair, Herbal updates....

2009-08-24T16:22:00.000-07:00

It's official, I've been now granted the title of Master Herbalist or M.H. God is so good to have directed me to this program and helping me to make it through it. I don't yet know all of my test scores, but was told I had passed everything and had done well.... Should know more in a week....

Making wonderful progress on the Aromatherapy. Have two assignments I actually completed at last week's fair ready to type out and mail in... Just one more lab assignment and then study study for that test.... God is GOOD!

The fair, what a blessing. A great time with friends, mostly all members of our local dairy goat club. Opportunities to share and pray with people :). And God granted us two Best Doe in Show wins- 1st day a togg, 2nd day a lamancha, several Grand Champions, allowing us to finish 2 yo Xochitl! and some nice RGCH as well, even 2 on a milking yearling lamancha. We really are thankful. Very short show season for us this year, but most blessed. State fair in a couple weeks is what we are planning.

Time to catch up on some tincture making... Came back to some herb and veggie seeds ready to collect, and herbs doing well :O). Also time to catch up with my hubby....

Blessings..........

What a week!

2009-08-10T14:58:00.000-07:00

We're new to blogging, so please be patient with us as we learn this new tool!

Last week was spent in Utah, taking 8 exams in 5 days for my Master Herbalist diploma. A very fun, very educational, very long hours, and intense week of study, but I think thoroughly worth it! It will probably be 2 to 3 weeks until all of the tests are corrected...

I am now working on Aromatherapy certification, and am just getting ready to begin Wholistic Iridology, a fascinating field, practiced in Germany for about 200 years, and in this country by medical doctors until the early 1900's when it was removed from their education.... Iridology is a study of the eyes, allowing us to view inherant weaknesses in a body to allow a person to know ahead which areas in their body they are going to want to nourish before a problem sets in. I will be using it in livestock and pets as well.

we can be contacted at www.firmeadow.com