After a tough winter, Spring has finally sprung at Herbal Maid Fiber Farm and with a pasture full of colorful kids, we are feeling especially blessed this year! Not only did we name our kids with Norse names this year (in honor of the rough winter they were born into), but we also identified a few management tools that really saved lives this year which we would like to offer for your consideration:

Kid sweaters
In January we were busy vaccinating , setting up the maternity barn, crotching the ewes and does, and knitting kid sweaters. Yes, you heard right. HMFF Kid Sweaters! We have used these for the past ten years and swear by them. I make them in acrylic yarn so that they don't smell "wrong" to the moms, are machine wash and dryable, and can be re-used year after year ! After the newborn is dried off, I put one of these sweaters on them to help them maintain body heat which is so critical in getting kids (especially those touchy angoras) off to a good start. These sweaters also make a good "handle" for catching young kids without danger of injury and they look adorable. Multi-colored sweaters in medium (5-7 lb) and large (8-10 lb)     Cost $12.50 each

Kid Shelters

New at HMFF: baby goat shelters! Use indoor or in semi-sheltered outdoor location instead of dangerous and expensive heat lamps and at less than half the operating cost. Little goats love them! Uses one 100 watt bulb and is easily cleaned between seasons. Protects the kids from wind , rain or snow, and from the larger goats. Up to six babies will fit happily in each barrel. Made from recycled food-grade plastic barrels (usually blue) with new ceramic electrical fixture, heavy duty cord and plug.

We have six of these in operation at the farm. I use one in each bonding-pen (instead of a heat lamp)... and place some outside the maternity shed in the mixing-yard. We have been quite impressed with how eagerly they were accepted by the kids. My family is willing to make these for the great price of $30 each picked up at the farm (or delivery possible at any of the festivals we attend this year).

Rather Make Your Own Goat Incubator? http://www.eightoaksboers.com/Kidding.html
Materials cost about $20 -25


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