Raising Goats Naturally

At Oly Ridge Farm we are committed to raising our animals as naturally as possible. We do not vaccinate, but instead focus on building strong immune systems through nutritional support with herbal and other supplements as well as appropriate feed rations. Diseases and parasites that affect goats can be dangerous and deadly, and often require fast action to ensure a positive outcome. We take that very seriously as we diligently monitor the health of our herd. Here is some information and some links to help you make your own decisions regarding the care of your animals:

Why choose Nigerian Dwarfs? Why Quality Matters
Deborah Neimann, who has one of my favorite go-to websites on goat care, thriftyhomesteader.com, wrote a great article about why Nigerian Dwarf goats are fast gaining in popularity and why that has lead to the goat equivalent of "puppy mills" among some breeders looking to make a fast buck (monetarily speaking):
"...there are many low-quality Nigerian dwarf goats on the market today. This makes it challenging for those buying their first goats. It’s really important that buyers looking for milk goats ask about milk production of does and stay away from buying kids whose dams have not been milked."

Here at Oly Ridge Farm, in 2011, when our first two does freshened for the first, time, on a good day, they produced about 1/4 cup of milk per day. That disappointment is why we changed our breeding program to focus on higher production and higher quality milk. In 2018, we had ff's producing nearly two quarts​ per day at peak. 

On Vaccines: "A team at Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine conducted several studies to determine if vaccines can cause changes in the immune system of dogs that might lead to life-threatening immune-mediated diseases." Read more:
From a Purdue study: "The vaccinated dogs in this study were literally destroying their own collagen … and their own DNA and other important substances!" Read more:
Vaccines cause damage at a genetic level: "Some of the more progressive vets who are at the forefront of researching vaccine damage, including Dr. Patricia Jordan, author of the book Vaccinosis: Hidden in Plain Sight, are discovering evidence that vaccines actually cause damage at a genetic level." Read more:
Buttercup Puppies: Interesting information to help you make an informed decision:
Research shows immunity may last longer than once thought: "...several published studies have shown that immunity provided by some vaccines lasts for much longer than one year and in some cases for a lifetime."
Livestock Vaccines Contain Mercury: In searching the internet supply, I could not find a source for Thimerosal-free vaccines. Thimerosal is a compound preservative containing mercury. Though some say it is a "safe" form of mercury, my research on the subject tells me that no amount of mercury, in any form, is safe in any body, human or animal. The following is a video released by the University of Calgary showing how mercury attacks and destroys brain neurons:
Pet Vaccine Standards Have Changed:​ "Vets say getting core vaccines every year- is over vaccination. Not good, because it can over-stimulate your pet's immune system."
Land of Havilah Farm: Tons of great info and classes on the herbal approach to goat care, including recipes for daily supplementation, wormers, udder care, etc. Learn how to create your own herbal pharmacy here:
For info on vaccines, click here (and scroll down):
Herbal Goat Care with Land of Havilah Herbals on MeWe will help you learn from experts how to keep your goats healthy and how to respond in emergencies. Plus, they will be there for you in real-time should you ever have your own emergency situation. Check them out here:
Fias Co Farm is a go-to site on all things caprine. From breeding to kidding to a comprehensive list of plants poisonous to goats, and more, this site has it all. While they focus on a more natural approach (and have more links on vaccination to help you decide), they also provide information on conventional meds. Click here:
Natural Goat Care Consultant & Information
What do we do? As a certified Family Herbalist, my approach to goat care at Oly Ridge Farm is always changing and improving. Here is a summary of what we do for our goats:
Herbal cleanse -- A thorough description of the hows and whys of herbal cleansing, by Land of Havilah Herbals and Farm
 Thrifty Homesteader Academy: Deborah Niemann, author of Raising Goats Naturally, has some nice online courses and information, including "Copper Deficiency in Goats," which is free! She teaches you how to spot copper deficiency and how to safely treat it.
Protect Your Horses and Livestock from Toxic Plants: A Guide to Identifying and Controlling Common Toxic and Noxious Weeds and Other Toxic Plant Species. Handy PDF from the Washington NWCB:
Vaccines Introduce Foreign Proteins to the Body: Because vaccines are cultured on things like chick embryos, embryonic guinea pig cell cultures, fetal bovine cells, human embryonic lung cultures and more, foreign proteins become part of the vaccine. When these are injected into the body, an autoimmune situation is set up as the body tries to eliminate what it sees as foreign (Source: School of Natural Healing). The following is a list of some of the ingredients found in vaccines. Click on the CDC link button below for an exhaustive list of ingredients and cultures.
Ingredients in animal vaccines:
Thimerosal — an organic compound that contains mercury, an extremely toxic heavy metal, a powerful neurotoxin, and one of the most potent poisons known to man. Mercury has been shown to impair the function of many internal systems including the brain, central nervous system, endocrine system, kidneys, and other organs. 
Aluminum — a metal that has been implicated in neurological ailments in humans. Aluminum is added to vaccines as an adjuvant, which means its purpose is to enhance or boost the effectiveness of those shots containing killed viruses (click on the button below for a PubMed Study on how aluminum affects the central nervous system).
Formaldehyde — classified by the EPA as a probable carcinogen it is used as a tissue fixative in some vaccines. 
Phenol — Phenols are highly poisonous, caustic substances derived from coal tar which are used as preservatives in vaccines. 
Viruses — Viruses are microscopic infectious agents containing genetic material which can only replicate within the tissues of living organisms. Animal organ tissue — Cell tissue derived from all manner of animals, including monkeys, rabbits, cows, sheep and pigs, are used to culture viruses contained in vaccines.
Source: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/the-truth-about-pet-vaccines-you-wont-hear-from-your-vet/#sthash.t4M7QJ7Y
Goats are fun and useful animals, but they require a serious commitment of time and attention in order to stay healthy and disease-free.
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