Hi Everyone! My name is Sue Dowdy, and I live in southern Iowa on 80 acres. I have always been a country girl, but am totally new to goats. My 13 yr old granddaughter, Taylor, and I are purchasing 2 milking does, 1 kid buckling, and 1 kid doe from Deborah next month. We are wanting to make lots of cheese and soap, and lots of other yummy recipes with goat milk. We are both so excited! My husband and I just got back from a month in Florida, and now we must get busy and get everything set up for our new friends. I have been reading this forum for several months, and I have already learned so much from you. I still have a lot to learn, so get prepared; you will be hearing from me a lot in the future.
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Wow! Kristen, I wish you still lived in our area! I would be bugging you to death with all my goat issues. At least now I don't have to worry about when my 2 does are going to kid. And I know the younger one can't be until May. Just keeping these 7 alive and healthy and getting Cleo back to normal is what I am concentrating on.kristen leu said:
I am from Fairfield! 20 miles east of Ottumwa!!! LOL. I live in Southern Illinois now but all the fam is still is IA. Fairfield, Keosauqua, Ottumwa area. I love where I am now but will always miss IA!
Sue Dowdy said:
Jeremiah, thank you for the welcome. What part of Iowa are you from? We are about 20 miles west of Ottumwa. I don't know of other Nigerian Dwarf goat owners in this area, but if there are some of you out there, please let me know.
I am from Fairfield! 20 miles east of Ottumwa!!! LOL. I live in Southern Illinois now but all the fam is still is IA. Fairfield, Keosauqua, Ottumwa area. I love where I am now but will always miss IA!
Sue Dowdy said:
Jeremiah, thank you for the welcome. What part of Iowa are you from? We are about 20 miles west of Ottumwa. I don't know of other Nigerian Dwarf goat owners in this area, but if there are some of you out there, please let me know.
In Iowa, 80 acres in just a small farm. We are only starting with 2 adult milkers, l wether, 1 kid buckling, 1 kid doe. We have a few head of beef cattle, horses (don't breed them; just riding), and we raise some soy beans/corn (alternate years), and of course hay. We used to sell small square bales (alfalfa, grass, and a timothy mix good for horses) but since we retired we have moved to just large round bales (not nearly as labor intense). Sometimes we have a neighbor come in and bale some square bales for us for our own use. Isn't it ironic that now we really are going to need those small bales of alfalfa and grass hay, we don't have any, and will be buying them at first. Iam going to go back and read again what you have all said about minerals. I realize from this forum that the right minterals are vital to healthy goats. I want to be prepared with everything we need before they arrive. The copper issue seems to be such a big thing for many of you. We have rural water (like city water) and pond water, and no high sulfur content; we are probably 25 miles from a coal producing power plant (I know that may cause copper deficiency) but I am hopeful it won't be a super big problem.
I don't have pics, but when we get our little herd home and settled in we will share some pics. Deborah and I have scheduled Memorial weekend for the time to bring our goats home.
You guys are all so nice! It is amazing how much we have learned just reading this forum. My husband looked at pics yesterday and saw all your neat barns, lots of beautiful goats and kids, and even chickens. He was impressed with the barns, and got some good ideas from you for hay feeders. I am blessed with a wonderful husband who is willing to humor me and keep an open mind on this project. Actually, he is such an animal lover that I already know he will be crazy over them right away. :)
Lyn Adams said:
Welcome, wow you have a lot of land, how many goats are you planning on having. Would love to see pictures of your goats. :0)
Jeremiah, we aren't that far from each other; we are in the Des Moines area frequently. Maybe when you get moved home we can touch base. Iowa is WONDERFUL in the summer, but I prefer Florida in the winter!
Dave got a nice sturdy stanchion made in a few hours the other day. Just needs a nice sunnny day to paint it; may be awhile.
Kare, thank you for the warm welcome! We are dealing with a newborn weak calf this morning. Like I said I am a newbie to goats, but I have a lot of experience with calves and dogs. Hopefully, that experience will help me just a little when we are kidding. Jeremiah Cooper said:
My wife and I grew up about 20 mins from Des Moines, Altoona and Mitchellville. We can't wait until we get to move back and start our homestead! No place like home (Iowa!)
My wife and I grew up about 20 mins from Des Moines, Altoona and Mitchellville. We can't wait until we get to move back and start our homestead! No place like home (Iowa!)
Jeremiah, thank you for the welcome. What part of Iowa are you from? We are about 20 miles west of Ottumwa. I don't know of other Nigerian Dwarf goat owners in this area, but if there are some of you out there, please let me know.
Replies
Welcome!! Good to have you!
Welcome to the group!!
Wow! Kristen, I wish you still lived in our area! I would be bugging you to death with all my goat issues. At least now I don't have to worry about when my 2 does are going to kid. And I know the younger one can't be until May. Just keeping these 7 alive and healthy and getting Cleo back to normal is what I am concentrating on.kristen leu said:
I am from Fairfield! 20 miles east of Ottumwa!!! LOL. I live in Southern Illinois now but all the fam is still is IA. Fairfield, Keosauqua, Ottumwa area. I love where I am now but will always miss IA!
Sue Dowdy said:
In Iowa, 80 acres in just a small farm. We are only starting with 2 adult milkers, l wether, 1 kid buckling, 1 kid doe. We have a few head of beef cattle, horses (don't breed them; just riding), and we raise some soy beans/corn (alternate years), and of course hay. We used to sell small square bales (alfalfa, grass, and a timothy mix good for horses) but since we retired we have moved to just large round bales (not nearly as labor intense). Sometimes we have a neighbor come in and bale some square bales for us for our own use. Isn't it ironic that now we really are going to need those small bales of alfalfa and grass hay, we don't have any, and will be buying them at first. Iam going to go back and read again what you have all said about minerals. I realize from this forum that the right minterals are vital to healthy goats. I want to be prepared with everything we need before they arrive. The copper issue seems to be such a big thing for many of you. We have rural water (like city water) and pond water, and no high sulfur content; we are probably 25 miles from a coal producing power plant (I know that may cause copper deficiency) but I am hopeful it won't be a super big problem.
I don't have pics, but when we get our little herd home and settled in we will share some pics. Deborah and I have scheduled Memorial weekend for the time to bring our goats home.
You guys are all so nice! It is amazing how much we have learned just reading this forum. My husband looked at pics yesterday and saw all your neat barns, lots of beautiful goats and kids, and even chickens. He was impressed with the barns, and got some good ideas from you for hay feeders. I am blessed with a wonderful husband who is willing to humor me and keep an open mind on this project. Actually, he is such an animal lover that I already know he will be crazy over them right away. :)
Lyn Adams said:
Jeremiah, we aren't that far from each other; we are in the Des Moines area frequently. Maybe when you get moved home we can touch base. Iowa is WONDERFUL in the summer, but I prefer Florida in the winter!
Dave got a nice sturdy stanchion made in a few hours the other day. Just needs a nice sunnny day to paint it; may be awhile.
Kare, thank you for the warm welcome! We are dealing with a newborn weak calf this morning. Like I said I am a newbie to goats, but I have a lot of experience with calves and dogs. Hopefully, that experience will help me just a little when we are kidding.
Jeremiah Cooper said:
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