I've not found a good goat health checklist/record system that I can easily use once a month for checking my goat(s?).

Can someone tell me what/how to organize a checklist for monthly health check and recordkeeping. Or give the web address of a good one?

Thanks

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 03, 2001

Answers

Hi Ann, There are a few software programs out there that are available and for a 30 day trial. I tried the one advertized at www.goatworld.com, but didn't really like it. I also used another one, think it was herd pro and didn't find that one to suit our needs either. So here is what I created that worked for us.

I got a new computer last May and have windows ME on it with the microsoft works suite. In the suite there are several options for keeping records on house, health, even pet health. i took the dental one, I know, but i really liked the template and could fit all the information in there. I created my own by putting in the left clumn (can also expand and make more if needed) and listed the goats by name, etc there then I listed across the top columns the actual checklist, wormers, how much, when, due again, then CD&T, feet trimming, etc,

I found my own to be more valuable and all we do is check it off, have them hanging inthe milk room in the dairy barn.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), November 03, 2001.

Exactly, Bernice. I can make a spreadsheet myself, but what are th eheadings across the top of your columns. Thanks so much!

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 03, 2001.

I will send you a sample of one I made, I have since modified it but maybe this will give you an idea. Its in spreadsheet.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), November 03, 2001.

Bernice,

Please send me one too! Thanks

-- Marsha (CaprisMaa@aol.com), November 03, 2001.

Hi, Hate to ask you, but could you send me one too? If its too much trouble I understand perfectly. I know everybodys short on time these days. The system I use is confusing unless you happen to be me! Ha Ha. Greek to the rest of my family! Thanks

-- Kathy (kack@countrylife.net), November 04, 2001.

Kathy,

Tried to send you the file 2 times but it wouldn't send, said it wasn't a correct address? Please e-mail me and I'll try again with your address.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), November 04, 2001.

Though I am looking into getting a computer program for my pedigrees, I use a calander for my herd health. I spend a great deal of time finding a small calander that fits on the counter next to my phone, that has lots of space in the days to write in. Say I wormed the infant pen yesterday, I then forward in 4 weeks the information that the infant pen is due to be wormed again. I take this calander out to the barn with me at the first of the month when everyone is hoof trimmed and weighed. I also keep track of what and how many worms, when does are in heat, when they are bred, vaccinated, when they are due etc. I keep it next to the phone with who that month is for sale and how much, and visitors to the farm. My whole goat life is in my calander and I use it for my taxes, for herd health on goats I sell etc. As I do my taxes in January I transfer all the important information onto cards that I have on all my does. Now with scrapie, I will be keeping all of this information for much longer. I don't think it's possible for one person to understand anothers management, I have purchased herds from folks who are ill, or whos goat raising spouse has died, it is all but impossible to decypher the hen scrathes, rarely do the kids born get sold with paperwork, because who is sure who was bred to whom, vaccinations and wormings are all redone, because who can tell? The only month to month management that is done here is hoof trimming, weighing and a fecal sample, one goat out of each pen. Other management is daily, feeding, haying, others is weekly, minerals, water bucket cleaning, and then others all depends what season it is, breeding, kidding, weaning, showing. Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), November 04, 2001.

Ann, maybe this isn't what you're looking for, but I check all the goats at least daily. Milkers get closer attention, twice daily. When you get to know your goats, you notice when they are 'off' or limping, or not eating well, or the udder feels a little different. I make a mental note if a doe has her hair fluffed out more than the others or has her back humped up, or isn't very hungry. Usually she is fine the next time I go out there, you know to check just the same.

I do weigh them with a weigh tape from time to time, usually at birth, with bottle raised kids I compare them to the dam raised ones often, and then if they will be going to a show I check them every few weeks to make sure they will be big enough to compete well. As breeding season approaches, I start weigh taping the doelings frequently, to get a good clear picture of who is gaining weight well and will be bred soon, and who will not get bred until later, or until next fall. Sometimes I will weigh all the does and write it all down just to have a way to compare them. It's interesting to weigh all the milking yearlings and look at how young they were bred to see if there was any correlation.

For anything relating to reproduction, I use a calendar, and save every calendar that has notes. I make notes when a doe has her kids-her name, about what time she kidded, how many, the sex, any dead?. For example- Jasmine, 2B,1D. Near the top of the square means it was born in the morning, if several does kidded they are listed in order. If something unusual happens, like a nightmare birth, I write it down in detail, on a piece of paper. When goats are bought or sold it's noted on the calendar. Any signs of heat are noted- who was in heat, what were the signs, when did she come into heat and when she was out of heat. if a buck escapes from the buck pen, I note that! Then if someone has kids when I didn't think they were bred, I know who the sire was!! Any breedings are noted- Feather X Reflex and when she went out of heat. Every breeding is noted even if it's a repeat in the same cycle. So if I bred Feather to Reflex again the next day, that will be there too, along with when she went out of heat. Then when the kids are born, I can compare breeding times and see whether breeding once or many times makes a difference in the buck to doe ratio. When A.I. is done, very careful, detailed records are kept, and stowed in the goat folder, which has records, ideas, pedigree data, lists of who I want to cull, or who might be bred to which buck. A note is also made on the calendar: Delilah X Cognac A.I. 8 pm. Another note is made about 3 weeks down the calendar- Delilah due back if not bred. Then I'll remember to check her for heat more carefully than usual.

Notes are also made on the calendar whenever any kind of medicine is given or they are wormed, or if someone dies, and the date when the milk will be safe to drink again. My husband keeps very meticulous notes about how much he paid for the feed and hay and how much he bought. When I sell a goat, I make a note on the calendar, and if they go to the sale barn, I keep the receipt of who went for how much and when.

I wrote a lot more than intended. I think every person's recordkeeping will vary a little and it should! Decide what is important to you and what you want to keep track of. Some things, like heats, births, deaths, sales, purchases, and medications, should always be noted. Other people may choose to note the heat cycles in detail if they are using A.I., as I do. Others note show wins in detail, who placed over whom, why, and how many goats were shown in that class. It's also a good idea to make a folder for goats in your filing system, and put test results, service memos, and other stuff you might want in there. Then you can find it when you need it.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), November 05, 2001.

I will inspire to one day be that organized ! LOL

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), November 05, 2001.