How is your flock today?

[416bigbore]

Thank you!! Oh yeah I've heard of one called I think hoof boss that folks use. I've heard they're not good for beginners but I haven't used them so can't really personally comment on them. I also don't know what Betty or Scooter are lol like if you're talking about horses, goats, sheep etc.

I don't know that I have any secrets necessarily honestly. I do know that when I'm halter training I teach them to be used to me touching and picking up their feet at the same time which is helpful I think. I saw a really good video recently too, I'll link it. I don't really think there's any secrets necessarily to be honest. I will say one think though you do not need fancy trimmers, I've used the same ones this whole time, just the regular green handles cheap ones from tractor supply. I just use one of those scissor sharpeners when needed. I'll link that too actually.

Once you've done it awhile it's pretty simple. Just try to stop once you see pink, take off small bits at a time especially when starting out. If you hit blood do not panic, put some blood stopping powder or whatever on it and continue. They may limp for a day or two, but mine always have been fine after. Try to make them as level as you can, but don't stress too much it's not a pedicure lol. They're livestock. I mean you want them pretty good so they're comfortable and joints aren't needlessly stressed of course. If you have one like yours where they were really neglected it can take a long time of cutting bits off at a time to be good again so be patient. Good luck.

https://www.amazon.com/Smiths-JIFF-S-10-Second-Scissors-Sharpener/dp/B0018VL3JW

Hello, Thank you so much for the helpful information, very much appreciated. The video was also helpful because it looks like those little wood rasps worked really well and I will have to get a few of them.

Black Betty we don't know much about her history, we were told she is a Spanish. Not knowing if she is full or mixed? Scooters father is a pure breed high dollar Boer Buck. We know that part for sure. LOL

Our biggest obstacle has been all the wet muddy conditions this past winter and spring, so that has made it very difficult to care for their hooves properly. The only saving grace was all the big blocks, bricks and flat concrete pavers that I have hauled into their pens to keep them up and out of the mud. The rough concrete surface has really helped to keep the hooves wore down.

BB is our other mixed Boer buck and Ducky our other mixed mini Lamancha buck. Those two are both used to having their feet messed with and so much easier to trim. I do have a large heavy duty wood table with a factory made head stand mounted to it that works quite well to help keep them still.

Trimming their hooves is a two person project for us, Stacey helps keep them calm as I do the trimming and that seems to work the best for us to get their hooves trimmed quickly, so they don't have to stand long.

Betty has calmed down considerably since we have had her and she is getting better about having her hooves trimmed. Her hooves are not back to where they need to be, but we are still working on correcting that.

Have have some Goat pics posted here if you would like to have a look?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/byc-member-interview-416bigbore.1473156/

Thanks again and have yourself a great day. Mike

 

[416bigbore]

No, I just wait long enough (3 extra day's past the due date) and then throw away any that didn't hatch. It's probably the incubator. I have done hatches in it for 6 years. Maybe it's time for me to upgrade and get a new one. I've been saving up to do that.

I was just curious like always. LOL Other then your machine being old, if you watch your little humidity and temperature thing and that is spot on for your 21 days. Is it possible that might be out of calibration and not reading accurately?

If your heater, fan, and egg turning is all working, and you babysit the little Humidity and Temperature monitor to make sure your numbers are spot on. Is it reasonable to think your little monitor is off to give you a low number hatch? Or maybe it's something else I am not understanding?

Since you are the Hatch Master and I am a Newbie, if anyone should have a low number hatch because of their machine being old, It would have to be me, not?

 

[docteurshepherd]

Hello, Thank you so much for the helpful information, very much appreciated. The video was also helpful because it looks like those little wood rasps worked really well and I will have to get a few of them.

Black Betty we don't know much about her history, we were told she is a Spanish. Not knowing if she is full or mixed? Scooters father is a pure breed high dollar Boer Buck. We know that part for sure. LOL

Our biggest obstacle has been all the wet muddy conditions this past winter and spring, so that has made it very difficult to care for their hooves properly. The only saving grace was all the big blocks, bricks and flat concrete pavers that I have hauled into their pens to keep them up and out of the mud. The rough concrete surface has really helped to keep the hooves wore down.

BB is our other mixed Boer buck and Ducky our other mixed mini Lamancha buck. Those two are both used to having their feet messed with and so much easier to trim. I do have a large heavy duty wood table with a factory made head stand mounted to it that works quite well to help keep them still.

Trimming their hooves is a two person project for us, Stacey helps keep them calm as I do the trimming and that seems to work the best for us to get their hooves trimmed quickly, so they don't have to stand long.

Betty has calmed down considerably since we have had her and she is getting better about having her hooves trimmed. Her hooves are not back to where they need to be, but we are still working on correcting that.

Have have some Goat pics posted here if you would like to have a look?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/byc-member-interview-416bigbore.1473156/

Thanks again and have yourself a great day. Mike

Good morning!

You're very welcome!! Admittedly I need some of those too. Yes a hoof trimming/milking stand is a must!! So difficult without one. Another person would be very helpful too. I hear you about the mud. We live in a kind of bottom so it gets real muddy sometimes. Big concern there is hoof rot or scald too.

I sure will take a look. I'm pretty into photography myself and would post pictures if I were really wanting to be active on this site again. I just come in to answer pms and if somebody mentions me I reply. I have nubian mixes I believe though. Real sweet. My main focus are my Shetland sheep though. Love them. Have you ever seen one? Speaking of hooves, they have the tiniest hooves I've ever seen on an adult anything. It's amazing and adorable. I mean they're so little.

 

[BlueBaby]

I was just curious like always. LOL Other then your machine being old, if you watch your little humidity and temperature thing and that is spot on for your 21 days. Is it possible that might be out of calibration and not reading accurately?

If your heater, fan, and egg turning is all working, and you babysit the little Humidity and Temperature monitor to make sure your numbers are spot on. Is it reasonable to think your little monitor is off to give you a low number hatch? Or maybe it's something else I am not understanding?

Since you are the Hatch Master and I am a Newbie, if anyone should have a low number hatch because of their machine being old, It would have to be me, not?

I'll have my DH see if he can figure it out, but I really want a new one.

 

[BlueBaby]

Good morning!

You're very welcome!! Admittedly I need some of those too. Yes a hoof trimming/milking stand is a must!! So difficult without one. Another person would be very helpful too. I hear you about the mud. We live in a kind of bottom so it gets real muddy sometimes. Big concern there is hoof rot or scald too.

I sure will take a look. I'm pretty into photography myself and would post pictures if I were really wanting to be active on this site again. I just come in to answer pms and if somebody mentions me I reply. I have nubian mixes I believe though. Real sweet. My main focus are my Shetland sheep though. Love them. Have you ever seen one? Speaking of hooves, they have the tiniest hooves I've ever seen on an adult anything. It's amazing and adorable. I mean they're so little.

I'm not into goat's, but sheep I do like though. Because of the heat that is over here, I would have to have the type that would shed itself.

 

[416bigbore]

I'll have my DH see if he can figure it out, but I really want a new one.

OK understandable I get it and hope DH agrees with you and you get a very nice machine for your project. I am sure he has the best also for his hobby!

 

[416bigbore]

I'm not into goat's, but sheep I do like though. Because of the heat that is over here, I would have to have the type that would shed itself.

Goats are the same thing without wool. wool you can sell. Goats will shed their winter hair and that's it.!

 

[BlueBaby]

OK understandable I get it and hope DH agrees with you and you get a very nice machine for your project. I am sure he has the best also for his hobby!

Yes, he does. He's hoping to get drawn for the deer hunt in the fall, so he's trying to make sure both vehicles and the camper are all in order. I think he's still got enough stock of his re-loading for it too.

 

[416bigbore]

Good morning!

You're very welcome!! Admittedly I need some of those too. Yes a hoof trimming/milking stand is a must!! So difficult without one. Another person would be very helpful too. I hear you about the mud. We live in a kind of bottom so it gets real muddy sometimes. Big concern there is hoof rot or scald too.

I sure will take a look. I'm pretty into photography myself and would post pictures if I were really wanting to be active on this site again. I just come in to answer pms and if somebody mentions me I reply. I have nubian mixes I believe though. Real sweet. My main focus are my Shetland sheep though. Love them. Have you ever seen one? Speaking of hooves, they have the tiniest hooves I've ever seen on an adult anything. It's amazing and adorable. I mean they're so little.

Nope , I have not seem one and would be very interested, I am sure they are an amazing animal if you are caring for them! You obviously have their best interests at heart, and that is very admirable !

 

[416bigbore]

Yes, he does. He's hoping to get drawn for the deer hunt in the fall, so he's trying to make sure both vehicles and the camper are all in order. I think he's still got enough stock of his re-loading for it too.

That is so awesome .... do you go with DH up north? And how about those little wild hogs you have? Sorry but I forget their name? I wish I could have done that when I was down there.