Royal Caliber Ranch

Happy Tuesday all. It’s been wet, wet, wet here in SETX. We are getting El Niño type rainy weather- going on days. Lots of flooding in Houston currently.

Here is me trying my best to do my weekly biting fly deterrent on the goats. It’s hard to pump, film, spray, and avoid getting the toddler and myself without the viewer feeling like they are in a roller coaster. Sorry about that-those Ray Ban glasses would be awesome.

A light “dusting” of fly spray really is all that’s needed. No horn flies or other parasites on these guys. These were the last girls sprayed and we are done for this week unless we see more need for another application due to all this rain! Stay safe and dry and work on your fly prevention methods now so you don’t panic later.

Tiny bodies with big attitudes!
We are rotating the baby ducks/geese around the lawn.

They are growing fast! About to build the next stage to getting closer to the pond.

Happy Sunday to you all!

Screw worm and fly prevention. The new world screw worm (NWS) has officially been identified and located just a few hours west of San Antonio. We are just a few hours east of San Antonio. I’m not sure what everyone’s plan is to combat and prevent it. We hardly have one…

BUT what we are doing as a preventative: fipronil, permethrin, and neem oil as a carrier (and naturally insect deterrent) in a pump sprayer. Get a pump sprayer!
*️⃣ *️⃣ Edit, Do not over do it with the permethrin. Read half life of chemicals and make sure you do not over apply! It can be dangerous.****

The main point here is the pump sprayer. The pump sprayer makes application so much easier and less messy. I upgraded from a hand sprayer and I’ll never look back!

⭐️ You can get legs, bellies, backs… anywhere used to reach or too far for thr skittish ones so much easier.
My goats don’t notice getting sprayed- I’ll take a better vid at dinner time getting them all. Also the LGDs.

This mix is says it’s good for fleas, lice, and biting insects and flies for most species.

🐱 Not cats! We don’t have cats in our barn. Reapply weekly maximum or AS needed on LARGE stock, especially after rain. OR When you see flies reappearing.

🐕 *Apply less often on dogs and goats 🐕
***Some sources say monthly for dogs (or as needed if fleas come back). You do not want to “overdose” so using the pump sprayer with the “fan option” is great to get a sheer, wide, and thin application on animals.

The idea is not to douse or soak your animals- just apply a thin mist on them- especially not on dogs!

Just helping out in case you don’t know where to start.
For treatment of NWS, try and get some Dectomax on hand.

*caution, spray them while down wind!*

This is why you get the (Nubian) goats.
These goats are amazing confidence boosters for young children on a farm.

Not all breeds and genders will work but my girls do not have one mean bone in their body. I have parents call me asking to purchase calves for their young children to raise- that is a NO from me to be honest. Even bottle fed calves can cause major injury and I do not recommend them to children at all.
Of course every animal can pose a danger, the danger though is lower with disbudded, bottle raised Nubian does that come from extremely docile and sweet temperament lines.
My alpines nor are the Nigerian dwarf are not as sweet and trusting as the purebred Nubians.

They will play all day. I couldn’t recommend these goats more.

Get you the goat!

We’ve added duck and goose raising to our list…
😅

It was about time our pond had some feathered pond decor.

Dinner time line up in SETX with the Nubians, Alpine, and dwarf goats.