How do others keep records for each of their goats? Do you keep a folder for each or one notebook for all?
Also, I could not find one form that had everything on it that I can think to possibly record, so I have designed my own, now three pages long per goat. Any words of wisdom that I should add or remove to the form? What information is really important in record keeping?
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I have used the illness/treatment for one goat already for when she lost possition as herd queen:(she was a good leader, the new leader is not in my opinion) she lost the tip of her horn over it. I made an entry that it happened and I trimmed the snags. Anyhting really serious I would have additional pages detailing the event. I really didn't know what to title that section. What title do you reccommend?
Thanks for your help!
Deborah Niemann-Boehle said:
Right now I just have a file folder with 13 pockets each goats papers are in there alphabetically and I have the registry paper work and such in the front. I did not know what sort of method I wanted to use so I have not kept many records so far. Starting when they kid I plan to keep a journal in that file folder and just write down anything to do with the goats for that day. Observations/milk records/other maintenance etc. I may come up with a different way of doing things as time goes on, but I think this should work for my small herd.
There is a wonderful program called Ranch Manager by Lion Edge Technologies (lionedge.com) that I use. Has all kinds of useful records in it - and they even have apps for some smart phones and pda's.
I keep all my goats registration papers in a binder, separated by tabs - with a picture of them (I digital scrapbook) and a copy of their dam and sires pedigrees. We also keep any major win paperwork in there. Right now I have a two inch binder that includes everyone but I'm about ready to have to start a separate binder for the boys as I'm getting way too many (is that possible) girls.
We show so the binder is really handy to just grab, put in the showbox and go. The reason I keep pedigree info in there is because inevitably somebody will ask me what line my goats are from and I can't remember them all - so I can refer to my book. I keep the dams line and the sires line because that gives me a total of 6 generations. (I'm also into genealogy - can you tell?)
Back to Ranch Manager - the program let me record all vaccinations, trimmings, - anything I want and the people at Lion Edge are great. I've made a few suggestions to the program and all have been implemented - they are working on a couple now. The goat program was originally made for meat goats but they are adapting some of the stuff for dairy goats now. Ranch Manager also has other modules in case you raise more than just goats too. (BTW - I don't get any kick back from Ranch Manager on this - just impressed with the program and their customer service.)
That's really detailed! I can't think of anything to add. I would suggest breaking up testing and vaccines. You could use the same space, but use the left two columns for testing, and the right two for vaccines. The two columns on the left are perfect for vaccines. I can't imagine you'd ever write anything in the right two columns, so you could use those for testing -- first column, date, and second column test and result, such as "CAE neg."
I've seen the illness section on other forms, including some that I bought years ago, and I never really used them, because goats don't get sick unless they're practically dieing, in which case, I have pages of notes. I'm trying to think of when it was as simple as diagnosis and treatment, and nothing is coming to mind, except maybe cocci in a kid.
I keep records in binders with separator tabs.
I think I have attached the file correctly, maybe not, let me know.
log.docx