Fixing up the Barn : Save Money, Time and Goats!!

Does this look like your barn? Peeling paint isn't just ugly, it is a potential hazard for your animal. We decided that before the next batch of kids arrive, we needed to do some affordable renovations.

Check out our Facebook Page & New Website

Post by Northcutt Livestock.

Baby Goats Attack (Adorably)

Hello Readers!

So much has happened this summer! Sorry for the long absence, but I promise the wait will be worth it soon!  I'm working on multiple articles, so in the mean time, check out this video:

You've been warned! This is what happens when you are late to feed.......

Check back for more posts soon!

Bottle Fed Baby Precious: Goats & YouTube

Check it out: Northcutt Livestock's YouTube Page!

 

Isn't Miss Precious cute? We now have a YouTube page for all of our goat antics. You can subscribe to get all of your favorite goat videos in your inbox!

How to Bottle Feed Goat Kids: Precious Update

Hi Readers!

So last time I told you about Precious (you can refresh your memory about Precious' birth here). She is one of the newest additions to our friend's farm, and a new challenge! Why bottle feed? Keep Reading!

Check out the new tab -- Our Does

Take a look at our newest tab "Our Does", where you can see all of our ABGA registered does.

Blog Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes!!

Hello Readers!

You may have noticed some layout and design changes to the blog!

Is it cluttered?  

Is the linked text unreadable? 

Issues reading on mobiles?

Pictures not displaying?:

Just because this is a "business" post, doesn't mean I won't throw in a triplets picture...

I aim to please, so let me know what you think in the comments below!!

More Boer Goat Kid Pictures: "When things go right..." Lucy & Mega's Kids

Hello Readers!

I know...I should be studying for my final...but instead, I'm writing a post! Lucy had her babies last night, how many do you think she had, check it out after the jump....

More Goat Kid Pictures: Bella & Mega have boys!

Morning Goat Blog Readers!

More additions to the barn...Bella had her kids last night! More boer goat kids in the barn = a good day! She had two gorgeous boys, check out the goats below.

A happy little family...say it with me: AWWWW

Bella had her kids around 10:00 last night, and Bella's owners found them around 10:30. She is not a first time mom, so she didn't need us! She had previously had triplets (at night too!), but they died from a disease while they were still kids. These little kids look super healthy, so fingers crossed that everything goes better this time!

Watch Me Grow! Bonus Goat: Patty

No finals aren't over yet, but my final project presentation on my goat blog is! In celebration, here is an update on our "bonus goat" Patty.

Look at that face.

Got Your Goat Information Update!

Hey Readers!

The blog will be on hiatus while I take finals! Look for new posts coming in May, when we begin prepping for fair! Make sure to like our Facebook page, where I will be updating with pictures!

See you soon!

Goat Video Review by Guest Blogger Ariel Morris!!

So awhile ago I made a video of my buck, Mega. I used a very helpful how-to on choosing the right editing software that my friend Ariel wrote on her blog about film making. I showed her the final product and she wrote the following post for me to share with my readers who want to make their own viral animal videos. 

Enjoy!

-Northcutt Livestock 

Watch "Crazy Megamind"

Goat Meat Meal Ideas: Goat Chop BBQ Recipe

So I've talked about how to raise goats, but now I’ll share with you one important reason why: eating goat meat. This is the typical reaction we get:

Left image of Goat Meat courtesy of David Blaine on Wikimedia - Goat Chops. 
Right image courtesy of "Know Your Meme"

I know! At first it makes many Americans recoil. I mean it’s…goat! Parts of Africa and Asia get most of their meat from goats, so why is it so taboo? I think Americans are used to eating mostly beef and pork, but it’s time to mix it up! 

Fun Friday: Celebrity Goat Owners

I know how much I love my goat kids, but goats aren't just fun for us regular folk!  Here is a list of three celebrities in love with goats!

Kelly Clarkson

Musician/American Idol winner

Photo found on Google Images, courtesy of www.tonedeaf.com.au

Kelly Clarkson is well known for her music, but did you know that the American Idol winner asked for a goat for Christmas in 2011? She named her new pygmy kid "Billy Joel" after the singer. Maybe he is the singing goat that has taken over the internet?

All About Goats: A Guide to Trimming Goat Hooves

Trimming our goats' hooves is not always fun, but it is necessary to keep healthy, happy goats. Regular hoof trimming can keep any issues like hoof rot from causing serious damage. It is important to both back-yard goat enthusiasts and the experienced goat keeper to practice proper hoof maintenance. The only way to get better at trimming goat hooves is to practice hoof trimming regularly, so let's get to it!

Ready?

This kid is, are you?

Goat(s) of the Week: Introducing Sally's Twins

This post is a bit late because...we have new babies at the barn!

Goat of the Week

Sally's Twins

A Lucky Surprise: Meet the newest kid

I like to plan things, especially with the goats.

Take this weekend, for instance. We planned to trim hooves, give shots and de-worm on Sunday.
Dad fed the goats for me at 9. Around 10:30 we went to other the barn to work with those goats first.

Click 'Learn More' to keep reading!

Friday Fun: Goats make CNN's RidicuList

I love how the internet has gone crazy for goats! Goat have taken over YouTube, now according to Anderson Cooper, they are working on world domination.

Anderson Cooper. News reporters falling on assignment. The Singing Goat. What more could you ask for?

Hope everyone has wonderful weekend! Make sure to check the blog next week, when the mythic second part of Trimming Hooves will be posted. Stay tuned!

Goat of the Week: Tyson the wether

I'm sure by now you've seen our "profile goat", Tyson.

This week he is our Goat of the Week....well, sort of? Let me explain.

Goats Take Over YouTube (& the World)

I am so glad it's a Fun Friday.

I'm sure you have seen Taylor Swift feat. Goats by now, but if you haven't check out Monday's post.
Goats have taken over YouTube, remixing popular pop songs.

Look at the album they just released:

But wait, there's more!! Check out the goat as it takes on...

Goat Hooves: Tools for Trimming

A very vital part of routine care and maintenance of your goat herd is trimming hooves. It doesn't take a lot of skill or any expensive equipment, mostly just trial & error/experience.

All goats, not just Miss Maggie, use their hooves to stand,
 jump, run and play. Overgrown hooves are painful and can
 cause many problems for your goat!

Goat of the Week: Introducing Maggie the doe

The Goat of the Week is.... Maggie!

Maggie loves Matt!

Our barn-mates have many goats, but one of my personal favorites is Miss Maggie.

Fun Monday: Taylor Swift feat. Goats

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Someone shared this with me over on our Northcutt Livestock Facebook and I just had to share it (Check out our page if you haven't seen it before!). As I mentioned before, goats are very vocal animals. Maybe their talents lie in music?

Barnyard Speak: Understanding Bucks

It's a 2-for-1 Thursday!

This post is a mix of Fast Facts and Barnyard Speak, it contains both facts and many of the terms you should be familiar with when working with bucks.

Photo courtesy of "Storey's Guide to Raising Meat Goats" by Maggie Sayer

Should I Raise...a Buck?

The final installment of “Should I Raise…” is here! I have previously evaluated raising does and wethers, so check those out if you haven’t already. Today, we focus on bucks.

Option 3: Raising a buck

MegaMind (our buck) when we bought him Oct. 2012

Goat of the Week: Introducing MegaMind the buck

This week the blog is focusing on bucks, so the Goat of the Week is our buck: MegaMind!

Baby Mega. So cute!!

On October 21st, my dad, sister and our good friends/barnmates drove to Medford, Oregon to pick up this guy. He is, without a doubt, the biggest personality in our barn.

Friday Fun: Yawing Goats

Happy Friday!

I have a lot of stuff in the works, so today's post is a quick one! Next week I will focus on bucks, so make sure to follow, subscribe, stalk the blog, etc....

On Tuesday, Delilah's roommate Honey delivered two healthy boys. As you can see, the moms are just as tired as the kids.

More after the jump!

Should I Raise....a Wether?

Continuing the series of "Should I Raise...", in this second installment I have evaluated raising a wether. Click on the link to read the previous post: Should I Raise....a Doe? 

So if you think you are ready to become a goat farmer, I have a 3 part post that evaluates 3 basic options: doe, wether or buck. 

Option 2: Raising a wether

Jordan and her 2012 Fair wether.

Goat of the Week: Introducing Ace the wether

This week the blog is focusing on wethers, so I decided to make Ace the Goat of the Week!

Ace is our most photogenic goat.
That's a nice way of saying he always tries to hog the spotlight.

Baby Goats: The Kids are here!!!! UPDATED!!

WE'VE GOT GOATS!!!!!

So I had a whole super cute post planned...but I just can't wait to share the pictures of our newest additions!!!!! They were born between 4:00-5:00 on Sunday, February 10th 2013. Delilah is an awesome mom, she did the whole thing by herself! We have all been worrying and checking on her at all hours....then she goes and has the kids without us! The twins are a boy and a girl....any name suggestions???

The boy is on the left, and the little girl is peaking through mom's legs

Friday Laughs: Running & Jumping Kids

Happy Friday!

This adorable goat video (found on Youtube) is just the thing to send us off into the weekend laughing.

I love playful kids (both human and goat). Our buck MegaMind tries to play tag and chase with us, so that "kid" behavior is something goats just don't grow out of no matter how old or big they are. According to the video description, these are two male Nigerian Mini goats that are being kept as pets. While we raise goats for meat, many places use goats as weed control. Better than mowing the grass, and far more entertaining!

Keep an eye out for next Goat of the Week on Tuesday 2/12 and Part 2 of "Should I Raise...." on wethers coming on Wednesday 2/13!

Should I Raise....a Doe?

It is important to evaluate whether or not you have the time, facilities, capability and dedication BEFORE you buy a goat. They are living creatures that require a great deal of care. You can’t just return them if you decide you get too busy! 
 

Now if I haven’t scared you off, raising animals is very rewarding. Goats are naturally very playful and curious creatures. They are a constant source of entertainment, love to be petted and can even learn their names just like dogs.

So if you think you are ready to become a goat farmer, I have a 3 part post that evaluates 3 basic options: doe, wether or buck.

Option 1: Raising a doe 

Two pregnant does, Delilah and Honey.

Goat of the Week: Introducing Bella the doe!

This Goat of the Week Post features one of our former goats, Bella:

Bella in 2011 when we first got her....

We bought our first meat goats in February 2011. While we have always had animals, raising goats for meat is still relatively new to us. My sister joined a local 4-H group and decided to raise a wether. Since goats are herd animals and NEVER are happy being alone, we bought a doe, Bella to keep Tyson the wether happy. After my sister showed her wether, we decided that we weren't ready for more does, so we sold Bella to our good friends and barn-mates.

...And Bella in 2012. What a big girl! She is getting her hooves trimmed (blog post coming soon).

Can you believe how much she has grown? They still have her and use her for their breeding program. She was bred to our buck MegaMind in November so they expect kids in April/May. We are so excited we get to see her have healthy kids!

Five Fast Facts: Goat Pregnancy

Five Fast Facts is a quick and painless post with all the information you need to know on a goat related topic.

This week I'm focusing on Goat Pregnancy:

Poor Honey is very, very pregnant with multiple kids due in February.

• Goats come into heat every 21-28 days. This means they have the ability to get pregnant every 28 days.
• Pregnancy lasts around 150 days, or about 5 months.
• Goats can have anywhere from 1-4 kids per pregnancy. First-time moms normally have a single kid, but twins and triples are not uncommon for the following pregnancies.
• The general rule of thumb is to use the 30-30-30 rule for delivery. This means the each stage of birth should take no longer then 30 minutes. The three stages are: 1) pre-labor, 2) actual delivery of the kid, and 3) the first nursing. After more than 30 minutes in any stage, most owners will intervene to help the struggling doe.
• Kids are weaned at 8-12 weeks old. Weaning is separating the kid from the mom in order to stop the kid from nursing. 

(almost) Friday Laughs: Fainting Goats

Guys....it's (almost) Friday!!!

Going back to school and dealing with the goats has left me completely drained. Here is a little pick-me-up to get ready for the weekend:

 

It just never stops getting old! As the video mentioned, only "Myotonic" goats (named for the genetic disorder myotonia congenita) respond this way to fear, panic or being startled. They believe it is a painless process that the goats are completely conscious for. (Reminds me of petrificus totalus....any Harry Potter nerds?) If you tried to startle other goats, (our buck MegaMind for instance) they would look at you dismissively and walk away. More skittish ones will turn around to flee, but no funny paralysis!

Hope this brightens up everyone's week. Happy (almost) Friday! 

On Tuesday look out for our next Goat of the Week post!

Goat of the Week: Introducing....Delilah

I realized after my most recent post that I haven't properly introduced the members of our goat family. Starting this week, I will be introducing a Goat of the Week!

This week features our very pregnant mama goat: Delilah

Are you Prepared for (Goat) Kids??

It's time for new kids!! 

Jordan & Jennifer holding a kid. He was quite the screamer!

When we purchased our doe Delilah in the beginning of October 2012, she had already been exposed to a buck. This was 5 months ago, and now we are expecting her kids to come in the next few weeks.

Here's how we prepped for our newest additions:

1. Clean pens

Newborns are very susceptible to diseases found in feces,urine and other contaminates so a clean pen should be the first step towards making sure your mama delivers healthy kids.

Barnyard Speak - Getting to know the goat lingo!

So when my family first got into the goat business, I didn't have any background in goats. While I grew up on a farm, many of labels/terms used are "goat" specific. Here is a list of basic terms I will be using frequently in my blog. 

Check it out after the jump! Tyson says it's really interesting!

Welcome to Got Your Goat Information!

Welcome!
This blog is a resource for raising goats for local fair, meat consumption, 4-H and FFA.

A little bit about me: My name is Morgan, and I'm a 21 year old college student. My sister got my family into the world of goats, and we are loving every minute! I'm currently posting under my family's company, Northcutt Livestock because I wanted to share the knowledge and experience my family has gained during our time raising Boer goats.

Thanks so much for visiting and stay tuned for more posts!