The Farmers life ( Well at least on my farm)

Hello friends,

I'm going to tell you a little story of what a typical day looks like in my life on the farm, but first lets start with a small intro into who I am and just where I come from.

Ok, so name is Eric Rovegno, I'm a native New Yorker, not even in the rural areas of NY, but the actual suburbs. I am a second generation American at least on the side of my father, my mother's side you could consider me a native, as I have Comanche blood in me.

Ok so what does this have to do with my life now, well it is just a little insight into the fact that I am  a city boy turned country boy. Lol.. Interesting right!! At least I think so.

Ok, so I got to enjoy for the first part of my life the cultures of city life, and the hussle and bustle of the city. So now when I step out my door I am welcomed to the beautiful sounds of the birds, my farm cats greeting me at the door, and of course my Goats calling me and letting me know it's feeding time..

Ok, I'm jumping ahead of myself here. So I have my alarm set for the not so early 7AM. Do I wake up at 7, heck no I'm up at around 6:15, like clockwork actually. So I sit there enjoying a brief moment of quiet and checking out the status of my efforts in marketing this little farm on social media.

Ok, so 7 o'clock rolls around and it's time to get up, get dressed and head out to do my morning chores, #what-a-life I tell you.. Start some water warming up to get the 2 little bottle babies fed after I have completed my other's. I grab my headphones and head out the door listening to music, just loud enough to keep my mind singing. The door opens, the fresh scent of a brand new day fills the air around me, and just gets my heart rate going. Lean over lift the door on the kittens pen to let them out for the day, then move on to turning on my hose for watering everyone. Head out to the chickens coop, fill their feeders, grab their watering

What you need to accomplish before bringing your goat home

OK, so you bought a goat, preferably two as they are herd animals and will do much better with a companion. Now what should I do before I actually bring them home. The best advice I can give on top of all this is to purchase A guide to Raising Dairy Goats, this book is packed with information and advice on illnesses, disease, feed, housing, breeds, and so much more. Pick it up before you get your goat home, it will save you time, and money, and most of all from being stressed.

Step One: You have to build a shelter for them to stay warm in cold weather, dry in wet, and cool in hot. The shelter can be made simply of some free  pallets, some plywood,  2X4's and some paint. The dimensions can be 4x4x4, or as big as you care to go. the size mentioned will house two goats easily. It might not be great for your back as you will be bending over to clean it out from time to time.

Step Two: You need a tank for water, this should be no less than a 25 gallon tank, but a nice 75-100 would be better. Less refilling (Unless you have a goat who loves to poop in the water, lol) I am dumping my tank every morning and filling it. Knowing this is the routine I don't fill it completely.

Step Three: You need some basic health supplies on hand; thermometer, some 18g syringes for injections, Clostridium (CDT) shots (Can be bought at any local livestock store), iodine, if milking some udder balm, mastitis test strips, clean rags (purchase bulk white wash cloths). These need to be refrigerated! Some deworming medication for your yearly shot, and you need some livestock Amoxicillin on hand again, this needs refrigerated. This is for colds, external wounds that might get infected, respiratory issues and so forth.

Step Four: You will need to consider your feed. When doing so please be aware that you must keep you alfalfa dry at all times. If it gets wet, it gets moldy.  You will also need a bag of good sweet grain (Rocky Mountain) makes a great one. A mineral block for the goats to lick on when they need, and free choice minerals. Free choice, meaning that you leave it out and filled all the time.. The grain & minerals can be purchased at local livestock store. I would do some calling around for Alfalfa, as most feed stores charge outrageous amounts for it. The typical price is from $6-10 a bale. One bale will feed one goat for 4 days. 2 flakes a day is about what you want you goat eating.

Fifth: You will need some tools; a stanchion, hoof rasp, hoof clippers, a collar (no metal, the plastic break free type), a pick for getting the dirt out of the hoof.

These are just a few of the basics you should have on hand at all times. There are many, many more items, but they are for another blog post!

Live a Zen life through love, laughter and prosperity!