Goats and Herbs

On our farm, we believe in treating things as naturally as possible.   That is for humans and animals.   We grow a ton of herbs for this reason.  Goats love to eat greens so we sneak in some important herbs for them to ingest to help them stay happy and healthy.   Some of the following is from the Goat Mentor.  I have incorporated my practice as well.   Goats and Herbs - the perfect combination for healthy animals Many people like to raise their goats as naturally as possible.  When goats are in the wild, they have a lot more options for food than are available to them in most pastures and what we can provide them in hay.  Some of the plants that wild goats eat help them with many things. They eat nettles which are one of the richest sources of minerals and chlorophyll and help with worm prevention and milk production; they gobble down raspberry plants which help them have easy kiddings; they nibble on wild garlic and wormwood which help prevent parasite overloads; they select yarrow which helps heal wounds and improve circulation... My goats like our cedar trees a little too much.   They have also helped themselves to our pear and apple trees. In the winter when there is not that much browse available, or if we don't have much browse fenced for the goats, there are herbs that we can offer our goats to specifically help with different things. Raspberry leaves and feverfew fed for 2 months before kidding (2 parts raspberry leaves to 1 part feverfew)    Garlic and chives - this is useful for any infection including mastitis and is also good for parasite issues.  This can be fed raw or made into an infusion, or you can purchase garlic oil. Mint - can be used to soothe a goat if there is an injury.  It also aids in digestion.   My bucks tend to like to eat the hearty part of the plant so when I am finished collecting mint for drying, I give them the stems.   My chickens also love mint.   In the summer, I hang mint near the chicken coops to scare off flies.

Strawberry leaves - similar to mint..great for soothing and digestion. Sage - used for treating/reducing mastitis symptoms.   My girls do not like the taste of sage so I have to either give it to them orally through injection or mixed/concealed in a favorite treat.   This is great for reducing issues related to mastitis.  It won't cure it, but it does help. Senna pods - this is used for every basic cleanse any time you are dealing with a serious issue (see sidebar for basic cleanse instructions) Stinging nettles - for anemia as well as replacing minerals after a bout of scours; generally an excellent tonic and improves milk production Dill seed, fennel seed, flaxseed, fenugreek, thyme, marjoram & rosemary for milk production, flavor and general animal health Herbal wormer combinations from Molly's Herbals and Fir Meadow Farm.   Molly offers a great kit for pregnant does that comes in a large bag and is ready to place in whatever grain you offer your girls.   You can find this on Molly's Herbal website.   Cayenne powder and tincture - used to stop bleeding.  Yarrow can also be used for this. Comfrey - excellent for healing broken bones, but also a great high protein forage. Slippery elm bark - helpful for healing the digestive tract after a heavy parasite load.  Also good for young kids especially around weaning. Activated Charcoal - not exactly an herb, but... useful during scours or anytime there is a heavy load of toxins/poisons