Prior to signing our Herd Share Agreements, you are required to read our Herd Health Standards so that you know and understand how our herd is cared for (after all, you will be part owner).
RMAC Herd Health and Production Standards
Heard Health Program for:
Size Matters Microranch
11190 Black Forest Rd, Colorado Springs, CO 80908
Farm History: We are a small ranch/dairy raising Mini Nubian goats and chickens since 2014.
Breeding Lines: Our goats are Gen 1-7 Mini Nubians, registered with the Miniature Dairy Goat Association and/or the The Miniature Goat Registry
Health Care:
Our goats are vaccinated annually for Clostridium Perfringens and Tetanus, and rabies. They are treated for worms, mites and lice on an as-needed basis.
Hooves are trimmed regularly to prevent hoof rot and infection
Our goats are disbudded (de-horned) to prevent injury to other herd members or the dairy operators.
Herd Health Tests & Frequency:
Our goats have tested negative for Tuberculosis, Brucellosis, Caseous Lymphadenitis, Johne’s disease, and Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis syndrome.
Our lactating goats are tested for mastitis every two weeks by the dairy.
Once a month, a milk sample is sent to a microbial laboratory endorsed by the Raw Milk Association of Colorado because of their scientific scrutiny and independence. The milk is tested for:
Standard plate count of bacteria
Salmonella
Escherichia coli 0157
Coliforms
Test results and explanations of results are available to herd share members.
Humane Treatment Practices: shelter, feed, water, handling & care:
Size Matters Microranch, LLC is a current member of the Raw Milk Association of Colorado and adhere to their standards and practices.
Our goats have “eyes on” human contact at least 3x a day, usually more.
All our goats are fed via free range pasture, clean alfalfa, Timothy, or sainfoin hay; and soy-free, corn-free grain specifically formulated for lactating dairy goats.
They have access to free choice minerals
Fresh water is supplied daily and refilled as needed to keep the goats hydrated. In freezing temperatures, care is taken to prevent the water from becoming solid ice.
Goats are provided with shelter to protect them from the sun, wind, rain and snow. During extreme cold weather or in the case of newborn kids, supplemental heat is provided.
In the outdoor polydomes, a deep litter method is used for bedding. In the barn, the stalls are cleaned and bedding is changed once per week (when in use).
The herd has a large goat pen but is allowed out to forage several times a week on our 5-acre property. This allows them variety in their diet and mental stimulation.
Our property is gated and fenced. We have a livestock guardian dog on the property to mitigate loss due to predators.
Milk Safety:
Hands are washed prior to milking, and in-between goats. A medical-grade hand sanitizer is used as needed.
Prior to each milking, the teats are cleaned with veterinary-grade chlorhexidine solution
The first several squirts of milk are inspected for color and odor (abnormalities could indicate mastitis).
A Simple Pulse pulsating machine milker is used to milk the goats. It is cleaned before and after each use per the manufacturer’s instructions.
After milk flow has ceased, a medical-grade moisturizing sanitizer is then applied to the teat to prevent infection.
The milk is strained through a fine mesh filter and placed into a sanitized canning jar. It is then chilled rapidly in the refrigerator.
Please note: Raw milk is not regulated by the federal or state government because it is not a “for sale” product in Colorado. Therefore, please ask and dairy you speak with about their health and testing standards to insure that it is safe.