Dam raised Alpine Nubian Kiko crosses. Trying my hand at producing a hearty goat that can be used for meat and milk within our community. Also interested in this cross to see what kind of pack goat they will make.
We have two Kiko bucks, one is purebred and the other is 100% NZ Kiko – both registered. Our does are Alpine/Nubian crosses – unregistered.
Our does have produced two seasons of really nice kids which have been allowed to self-wean with an average ADG of 0.50 #, without grain. Hay is supplemented when the weather requires it but our goats forage year-round. Nursing does are given treats during milking or our cold snaps which consists of sunflower seeds, beet pulp shreds, alfalfa/grass pellets and peanuts.
Breeding takes place in November so that kidding does not (purposely) take place in the middle of winter, though our March and April weather in the mountains (~9,000 ft elevation) can still be unpredictable.
We strive to do as much as possible with minimal intervention, stepping in to treat or assist when absolutely necessary. Though our medicinal protocol is not 100% herbal, we are working toward a more natural approach to treatments and already strive to not overly vaccinate or medicate our herd.
Herbal (1)-Conventional (10) 1-10 Scale: 7
Parasite Protocol: Deworming only takes place one time per year, after a doe kids and only when appropriate. Currently, we switch between Ivermectin and Valbazen when treatment is needed, though we have been blessed with little to no need for it over the past 5 years we have had goats.
Vaccination Protocols: Partial Vaccinations