Here at Hawks Mountain Ranch, we strive to raise the healthiest and highest of quality Pygora goats we possibly can.  Not only through our selective breeding program, but also through good herd management practices. 

Here's some of the ways we achieve this:

  Bio-security farm practices~
We ask all visitors that come for a visit to wear clean, close-toed shoes when coming to the ranch.  We will also spray all shoes with a clorohexidine disinfectant before entering our barns and pastures.

We post bio-security signs around our farm and secure our barns and gates against any unauthorized entry.

Before visitors can come onto our property, we make sure they have not visited a farm out of the country in the past month. 

  CAE, CLA, and Johnes disease-free herd~
Our Pygora goat herd tests negative for CAE (Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis virus), CLA (Caseous Lymphadenitis) and Johnes disease (Paratuberculosis). 

   Up-to-Date vaccinations, parasite control, hoof trimmings~
We annually vaccinate each animal for Clostridial types C and D and Tetanus.  All of our animals are given a dewormer 2 to 4 times a year and we also hoof trim at the same time to ensure sound hooves, strong legs, and overall correct conformation.

   Permanent identification of all animals~
Each Pygora kid is permanently identified with an ear tattoo shortly after birth.  We believe permanent identification of our animals is a very important part of herd management.  Especially in keeping track of our Pygora kids born on the farm each year.  Click here on how to tattoo. The PBA registry also requires all animals be tattooed or microchipped as a form of permanent identification for registration.  

Along with tattooing our goats, each goat has an official USDA ear tag is inserted into their ear.  

  Condition score animals~
We continually observe our animals and do a "hands on" condition score to ensure our animals are in their prime condition possible.  Note: This link is about sheep but it applies to goats too. 

  Sound fencing and gates~
We use 48"-54" high field fencing and do routine walks around our property to ensure safe and secure fencing.  We fix any gaps that might allow a goat to squeeze through as the "grass is always greener on the other side".    At the same time, we also check our pastures for any noxious weeds.   We use 12' gates to make it easy to drive our tractor or vehicle into the pastures.

  Predator control~
We use guard llamas to protect our sheep and goats.   We have been very fortunate to have had very few losses due to coyotes,  mountain lions, or stray dogs wandering into our pastures. 

  Kidding practices~
We encourage our Pygora does to kid naturally out in the pasture.  We believe leaving them to kid in their natural environment that they are accustomed, helps cuts down on any stress to the doe which can cause prolonged and/or problem birthing.  Once the kids are born, we move them into a kidding pen inside the barn where they each receive individual attention and are permanently ID'ed.  Each kid and dam is inspected and any notes are recorded on the dams individual pen card that hangs on the front of the kidding pen during their 3 day stay. 

  Special care of our Pygora kids~
A special area is set up in the barn that only the kids have access to so that they don't have to compete with the bigger goats all the time.   They can come and go as they please while keeping the bigger animals out.  They have their own lamb creep feed, hay and fresh water to themselves.   The nursery area is also nice for catching up the kids at vaccine time.    

At birth, the kids are given a selenium and vitamin E shot and navels are clipped and dipped in iodine to prevent navel ill.   They are ear tattooed for permanent identification at this time and photos taken.  The kids are weighed if we suspect there may be a problem.  We will continute to weigh them over the next 3 days during their stay in the kidding pen.   Once the kid is gaining the proper weight, the dam and kids are turned back out to pasture and their pen card is filed for future reference.  

We disbud our Pygora kids.  It is very important to disbud them as soon as horn buds are felt (usually between 3-7 days of age) as we find this helps to prevent scurs from developing at an older age.   We recheck each kid again at about 1 month of age and will redisbud them if any horn growth is noticed.   

  PBA Registered Pygora Goats~
We are members of the Pygora Breeders Association and all of our Pygora breeding stock is registered with the PBA registry.  They have an online herd book at: www.pba-pygora.com This registry is a very essential part of the Pygora goat breed.  Pedigrees are documented and recorded and each animal must produce fiber before it can be permanently registered.   All of our breeding stock is guaranteed for permanent registration.   

If you have any questions, I would be happy to help you.  You can find more information about registration at the Pygora Breeders Association website at: www.pygora-pba.org

  Our breeding stock comes with a guarantee~
Your satisfaction is important to us.  If our breeding animals fail to produce viable offspring for you after their 2nd breeding season, we will replace that animal for you.   

Thank you for taking the time to read through our herd management practices.  We take lots of care and pride in raising our animals and hope that by sharing our experiences with you, it will help you in raising strong and healthy animals that you will love and have around for a very long time! 

~Lisa~

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About Hawks Mountain Ranch Pygora Goats | Our Herd Management Practices | What is a Pygora Goat? | Frequently asked Questions about  Pygora Goats | Pygora Goat Breed Standards | How to Prepare & Spin Pygora Goat Fiber | The Pygora Goat as a Fiber Breed | Our Herd Sires | Magazine & newspaper clippings about our Pygora Goats | Fun photos of our Pygora Goats and our farm | Shipping our Pygora Goats across the U.S. | Products made from Pygora Goat Fiber | Pygora Goat Health and Kidding Info

E-Mail Us:  Lisa@hawksmtnranch.com