Jackrabbit Ranch

Author: hrbhd7

  • Livestock Guardian Dog Breeds

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    Livestock Guardian Dog Breeds Thinking about adding a livestock guardian dog (LGD) to your farm or homestead? These incredible dogs have been bred for generations to protect livestock, not chase them. They’re calm, independent, and fiercely loyal to the animals they live with. This also means you can’t adopt any dog and expect them to…

  • The Difference Between Livestock Guardian Dogs and Herding Dogs

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    The Difference Between Livestock Guardian Dogs and Herding Dogs   When it comes to working farm dogs, it’s important to understand the roles that livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) and herding dogs play. While both are incredibly valuable on a farm, they serve very different purposes—and knowing which one you need can make all the difference.…

  • Purebred Goats vs. Commercial Goats: Which should you choose?

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    You’ve may have heard the terms “pure blood”, “pure bred”, and “commercial” used to describe goats and wondered what the heck this means. In short, it’s all about breeding. Purebred and pureblood goats have lineages that can be traced back through multiple generations to a specific breed. To be officially recognized as “purebred,” the goat…

  • Banding Bucklings

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    Banding Goat Bucklings: A Comprehensive Guide Intimidated by banding goat bucklings yourself? Fear not, this guide is for you! Banding is a common method of castration used for bucklings (young male goats). Castration helps in managing the herd by preventing unwanted breeding, controlling aggressive behavior, and improving the meat quality in goats raised for that…

  • LGDs: Self-feeders vs Bowl Feeding

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    LGD Self-feeder vs Bowl Feeding Feeding livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) can be approached in various ways depending on the size of the property, the number of dogs, their individual needs/behaviors, and your personal preferences. The two methods we have used are self-feeders and hand (bowl) feeding. We started with self-feeders for our LGDs and really…

  • How to care for a bottle baby goat

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    There are many reasons why you might want to bottle feed a baby goat. Some do it to make the kids more friendly, others because they are milking the dam, and, unfortunately, some are forced to bottle feed because a mama has rejected her kid or died. Regardless of why you have decided to bottle…

  • Coccidia: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention

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    Coccidia is a parasitic infection that impacts the intestinal tract of goats and can cause serious health issues, especially in young goats. There are many reasons why kids are more susceptible but the main reason is their immature immune system. The immune systems of goats younger than 6 months old are still developing and struggle…

  • What to Know Before Getting Livestock Guardian Dogs

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    Adding livestock guardian dogs (LGDs) to your farm or homestead can be a game-changer for protecting your animals from predators. These dedicated security guards are not only loyal companions but also invaluable members of your farm. However, before bringing home a livestock guardian dog, there are several important factors to consider. Understanding LGDs LCG Breed…

  • Goat Kidding Kit Essentials

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    As spring approaches, the anticipation of new life fills the air on farms across the country. For goat owners, this means getting ready for kidding season. Preparing for this exciting time with a well-equipped kidding kit will help ensure the well-being of the dam, the kids, and your anxiety level. The Kidding Kit Gloves: Long,…

  • Goat Fencing Options

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    There are several fencing options available for goats, each with its own advantages and considerations. The choice of fencing will depend on factors such as the size of your goat herd, the terrain of your property, your budget, and your specific management goals. Below are some common fencing options for goats. Keeping Goats In Woven…

  • What to Feed Your Goats

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    Goats have specific dietary needs that are important for new goat owners to understand. A proper diet leads to a healthy goat. Your feeding schedule and mix may vary depending on your location, property size, and goals. In this guide, we’ll explore the fundamentals of what to feed your goats. Goat Food Browse and Pasture:…

  • What to Know Before Getting Goats

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    Embarking on the journey of goat ownership can be a rewarding experience, but it’s crucial to be well-informed before bringing these charming, yet lawless, bovids into your life. Whether you’re considering goats for companionship, milk, or as lawn mowers, here’s a beginner’s guide to what you should know before getting your first goat(s). Build Your…

  • Exploring Goat Breeds

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    The world of goats is diverse, with various breeds offering unique characteristics and purposes. Whether you’re interested in dairy production, meat, grazing, or companionship, there’s likely to be goat breed for you.  In this post, I’ll describe the basic characteristics of just four breeds. There are many more breeds to choose from and so much…