In this episode of Hoofnotes, we dig deep into the gut, literally. Rumen acidosis, also known as grain overload, is a serious condition that affects goats too, especially when their diet shifts too quickly or leans too heavy on grain. We'll explore the science behind what happens when the rumen turns acidic, the signs to watch for, and how a carbonate buffer mix (CBM) helped goats bounce back in a recent study. We will also explore options for treatment used by ruminant veterinarians and everything you need to get your goat back on track.

If you’ve ever wondered how something as simple as diet could ripple into such big health consequences, you don’t want to miss this one.

Because when it comes to goat care, what goes into the rumen doesn't just stay there, it affects everything.

Visit Companion Blog for this Episode: https://goathousefarm.com/rumen-acidosis

Articles for this episode:

Boileau, M., & Williams, N. (2020, October 5). Grain Overload in Goats. Oklahoma State University.

Braun, U., Rihs, T., & Schefer, U. (1992, April 18). Ruminal lactic acidosis in sheep and goats. Vet Rec, 130(16), 343-349. doi: 10.1136/vr.130.16.343.

Doss, A. (Douglas) ("stellargamebirds"). (2025, May 19). Understanding Rumen Acidosis in Goats: Causes, Pathophysiology, and Prevention. The Farm and Homestead.

Fan, G., Su, N., He, Y., Yuan, C., Zhao, C., Hu, X., Fu, Y., & Zhang, N. (2025, April 19). Carbonate Buffer Mixture Alleviates Subacute Rumen Acidosis Induced by Long-Term High-Concentrate Feeding in Dairy Goats by Regulating Rumen Microbiota. Microorganisms, 13(4), 945. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms13040945.

Hardcastle, A., & Lear, A. (n.d.). Fundamentals of Feeding Goats. Large Animal Hospital, Large Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee.

Nagar, J. K., Choudhary, S., Pathan, N. K., Sharma, A., Rathore, H., & Rolania, S. (2024). Prevalence, diagnosis and therapeutic management of ruminal acidosis in goats. International Journal of Advanced Biochemistry Research, 8(1), 345-348. doi: https://doi.org/10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i1e.376.

Schmeltz, W. (2013, September 8). Ask A Vet: Acidosis in Goats. Dr. Weldy's Associates.

Snyder, E., & Credille, B. (2017). Diagnosis and Treatment of Clinical Rumen Acidosis. Vet Clin Food Anim. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cvfa.2017.06.003.

A NotebookLM deep dive human written to help you make goat science make sense.

When a goat can’t pee, it’s not just uncomfortable, it’s an emergency. In this episode of Hoofnotes, we dive deep into one of the most dreaded conditions for goat owners: urinary stones, or urolithiasis. It’s a painful and potentially fatal issue, especially for wethers, but one that is often preventable with the right knowledge and care.

We go far beyond the usual social media advice and get into the real science behind this condition. You’ll learn how urinary stones form, why male goats are more at risk, and what types of stones are most common based on urine pH and mineral balance. We talk about early signs to watch for, like straining, vocalizing, or tail flagging, and what to do if you suspect a blockage.

But most importantly, we walk through treatment and prevention in clear, practical terms. We explain how a high-grain, low-forage diet or an off-balanced calcium-to-phosphorus ratio contributes to stone formation, and how ammonium chloride works at a biochemical level to help dissolve certain stones and acidify urine. You’ll also learn when AC helps, when it doesn’t, and how to avoid long-term complications from improper use.

This episode is essential for anyone raising male goats, especially pet wethers. If you’ve ever wondered how feed choices, water intake, or even castration timing impact your goats' urinary health, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re just starting out or managing a full herd, understanding this topic can help prevent heartache, vet bills, and lost animals.

Articles for this episode:

Augustinsson, O., & Johansson, K. (1986). Ammonium chloride induced acidosis and aldosterone secretion in the goat. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 128(4), 535–540.

Coulson, S. (2024, September 13). Baxter the goat’s big pee problem: A tale of urinary stones and second chances. UF Large Animal Hospital - University of Florida.

Lifestyle Vet Auckland. (2019, June 29). Preventing Urolithiasis in your Goat & Sheep Pets.

Mejia, S., McOnie, R. C., Nelligan, K. L., & Fubini, S. L. (2022). Small ruminant urinary obstruction: decision trees for treatment. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 260(S2), S64–S71.

Merkatoris, P. (n.d.). Update on Obstructive Urolithiasis in Small Ruminants. Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine. (2017, May 19). Obstructive Urolithiasis in Goats: A Case Report.

MU Veterinary Health Center. (n.d.). Recognizing a Medical Emergency in Small Ruminants.

Perdue, M., Braxton, K., & Moyle, J. (2022, October). Urinary Calculi in Male Goats and Sheep (FS-2021-0581). University of Maryland Extension.

Pongphitcha, P., Chuchoed, K., Thetsana, T., Dachphun, N., Sukhong, P., & Ratanapob, N. (2024). Factors associated with success rate of oral force-feeding ammonium chloride administration to acidify urine in goats. Open Veterinary Journal, 14(9), 2310–2314.

Reed, S. (2023, April 6). Treating And Preventing Urinary Stones In Goats. VMBS News, Texas A&M School ofVeterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences.

Schoenian, S. (2005). Urinary calculi in sheep and goats. Maryland Small Ruminant Page.

The Merck Veterinary Manual. Urolithiasis in Ruminants.

Van Metre, D. C. (2010, August 1). Urolithiasis in small ruminants (Proceedings). DVM360.

American College of Veterinary Surgeons. (n.d.). Urolithiasis in Small Ruminants.

A NotebookLM deep dive human written to help you make goat science make sense.

What if the way you scratch a pregnant doe's neck could shape the life of her kids before they’re even born?

In this episode of Hoofnotes, we're digging into groundbreaking research that shows just how powerful human interaction is during goat pregnancy. From reduced fetal loss to stronger maternal instincts and quicker kid development, the science is clear—how we handle our does matters.

We’ll break down a fascinating study that compares gentle, minimal, and aversive handling during mid-gestation, and explain what it means for those of us caring for goats in real life. This one hits home, especially for anyone who's ever juggled chores while trying to stay calm in a chaotic barn.

Join us as we explore how simple, mindful handling can lead to healthier births, happier does, and livelier kids.

Because sometimes, the most powerful medicine is a little kindness.

Visit Companion Blog for this Episode: https://goathousefarm.com/gentle-handling-goat-pregnancy

Article for this episode:

Emma M. Baxter, Johan Mulligan, Sarah A. Hall, Jo E. Donbavand, Rupert Palme, Emad Aldujaili, Adroaldo J. Zanella, Cathy M. Dwyer, Positive and negative gestational handling influences placental traits and mother-offspring behavior in dairy goats, Physiology & Behavior, Volume 157, 2016, Pages 129-138, ISSN 0031-9384, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.

A NotebookLM Deep Dive human written to make goat science make sense.

What if the future of goat feed came with six legs and a crunchy shell? In this episode of Hoofnotes, we're diving into the fascinating world of insect-based feed and what it could mean for your herd. From protein-packed black soldier fly larvae to methane-reducing cricket meal, researchers are buzzing about the nutritional potential of bugs for ruminants like goats.

We’ll break down what the science says, how these tiny powerhouses stack up against soybean meal, and why insect feed might be more planet-friendly than you think. Plus, we’ll unpack the legislative red tape, cost barriers, and good ol' “ick factor” that are keeping insects out of most feed bags. . . for now.

Whether you're a curious goat owner, a feed nerd, or just wondering if goat milk from bug-fed goats tastes different, this episode is for you.

Visit Companion Blog for this Episode: https://goathousefarm.com/insect-based-feed-for-goats/

Articles for this episode:

Renna, M., Rastello, L., Veldkamp, T., Toral, P. G., Gonzalez-Ronquillo, M., Jimenez, L. E. R., & Gasco, L. (2023, August 14). Are insects a solution for feeding ruminants? Legislation, scientific evidence, and future challenges. Animal Frontiers, 13(4), 102–111. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfad026.

INRA CIRAD AFZ. (n.d.). Black soldier fly larvae, fat > 20%, dried | Tables of composition and nutritional values of feed materials.

Gao, M., El-Sherbiny, M., Szumacher-Strabel, M., Cieślak, A., Yanza, Y. R. Y., Irawan, A., Xie, B., Cao, Z.-j., Fusaro, I., Jalal, H., Abd El Tawab, A. M., & Liu, Y.-b. (2024, November 20). Cutting-edge exploration of insect utilization in ruminant nutrition—feature and future: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1484870.

Lu, S., Taethaisong, N., Meethip, W., Surakhunthod, J., Sinpru, B., Sroichak, T., Archa, P., Thongpea, S., Paengkoum, S., Purba, R. A. P. P., & Paengkoum, P. (2022, September 13). Nutritional Composition of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens L.) and Its Potential Uses as Alternative Protein Sources in Animal Diets: A Review. Insects, 13(9), 831. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13090831

A NotebookLM Deep Dive human written to make goat science make sense.

Think your milkroom is clean? Think again. In this episode of Hoofnotes, we dive into the microscopic world of biofilms, sticky, invisible communities of bacteria that love to set up shop inside milk lines, inflations, and buckets. These aren’t just harmless slime layers. Biofilms can harbor dangerous pathogens, resist standard cleaning routines, and quietly compromise both milk quality and herd health.

We’ll break down the science behind how biofilms form, why they’re so hard to kill, and what the latest research says about cleaning protocols that actually work. From the role of Clean-in-Place (CIP) systems to the chemistry of disinfectants and the dangers of “just rinsing it,” this episode arms you with the know-how to fight back.

Whether you're hand milking two goats or machine milking twenty-two, when it comes to biofilms, it's not just about milk safety, sloppy sanitation can lead to sick goats, mastitis outbreaks, and costly setbacks.

Visit Companion Blog for this Episode: ⁠https://goathousefarm.com/goat-parasite-control-national-study/

Articles for this episode:

Biofilms in hoses utilized to divert colostrum and milk on dairy farms: A report exploring their potential role in herd health, milk quality, and public health. Latorre, A. A., Oliva, R., Pugin, J., Estay, A., Nualart, F., Salazar, K., Garrido, N., & Muñoz, M. A. (2022). Front. Vet. Sci., 9:969455. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2022.969455.

Biofilms in the Dairy Industry. Kaylegian, K. E., & Rolon, L. (2023, January 10). Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education..

Biofilms in the milking machine, from laboratory scale to on-farm results. Desmousseaux, C., Guilbaud, M., Jard, G., Tormo, H., Oulahal, N., Hanin, A., Jha, P. K., & Laithier, C. (2025, March 4). J Dairy Sci. Advance online publication. doi: 10.3168/jds.2024-25352.

Biofilms: A Persistent Challenge to the Dairy Industry. Johnson, C., & Bigalke, D. (2023, February). QualiTru Sampling Systems..

Effect of biofilm formation by antimicrobial-resistant gram-negative bacteria in cold storage on survival in dairy processing lines. Woo, J., Guk, J.-H., Yi, S., Lee, J., Song, H., Kim, W.-H., & Cho, S. (2023, February 2). Int J Food Microbiol., 386:110019. Epub 2022 Nov 19. doi: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.110019.

FORMATION OF BIOFILMS ON DAIRY EQUIPMENT AND THE INFLUENCE OF DISINFECTANTS ON THEM. Kukhtyn, M., Berhilevych, O., Kravcheniuk, K., Shynkaruk, O., Horiuk, Y., & Semaniuk, N. (2017). Eastern-European Journal of Enterprise Technologies, 5(11 (89)). doi: 10.15587/1729-4061.2017.110488.

How to Clean Your Milking Equipment for Low-Risk Raw Milk. Smith, S. (2024, June 7). Raw Milk Institute..

Microbial Biofilms in the Food Industry—A Comprehensive Review. Carrascosa, C., Raheem, D., Ramos, F., Saraiva, A., & Raposo, A. (2021, February 19). Int J Environ Res Public Health, 18(4):2014. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18042014.

A NotebookLM Deep Dive human written to make goat science make sense.

Whether you're just starting your goat journey or you've been blessed with their playful presence for years, have you ever really stopped to ponder what's going on in those clever caprine minds when they look at us? It turns out, our beloved goats are far more perceptive, and their interactions with us are more profound, than many might realize. This isn't just about chores and feed times, it's about a deep, two-way street of understanding that's rooted in science. Let's explore how our interactions truly shape their world.

Visit Companion Blog for this Episode: ⁠https://goathousefarm.com/goat-whispering-science-human-connection

Articles for this episode:

• Baciadonna, L., Nawroth, C., & McElligott, A. G. (2016). Judgement bias in goats (Capra hircus): investigating the effects of human grooming. PeerJ, 4, e2485.48
• Bellegarde, L. G. A., Haskell, M. J., Duvaux,Ponter, C., Weiss, A., Boissy, A., & Erhard, H. W. (2017). Face,based perception of emotions in dairy goats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 193, 51,59.49
• Celozzi, S., Battini, M., Prato,Previde, E., & Mattiello, S. (2022). Humans and Goats: Improving Knowledge for a Better Relationship. Animals, 12(6), 774.50
• Jackson, K. M. A., & Hackett, D. (2007). A note: The effects of human handling on heart girth, behaviour and milk quality in dairy goats. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 108(3,4), 332,336.51
• Nawroth, C., Albuquerque, N., Savalli, C., Single, M.,S., & McElligott, A. G. (2018). Goats prefer positive human emotional facial expressions. Royal Society Open Science, 5(8), 180491.52
• Nawroth, C., Martin, Z. M., & McElligott, A. G. (2020). Goats Follow Human Pointing Gestures in an Object Choice Task. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 915.53
• Nawroth, C., von Borell, E., & Langbein, J. (2015). ‘Goats that stare at men’, Dwarf goats alter their behaviour in response to human head orientation but do not spontaneously use head direction as a cue in a food,related context. Animal Cognition, 18(1), 65,73.44

A NotebookLM Deep Dive human written to make goat science make sense.

Why do some goats charge the feed bunk while others hang back? This post unpacks a fascinating study linking goat personality traits to feeding behavior. Learn how bold, fearful, and curious goats approach competition differently, and what you can do to reduce feeding stress and support a more harmonious herd.

Visit Companion Blog for this Episode: ⁠https://goathousefarm.com/goat-personality-and-feeding-behavior/

Article for this episode: Neave, H. W., & Zobel, G. (2020). Personality of dairy goats affects competitive feeding behaviour at different feeder heights. Small Ruminant Research, 192, 106222A NotebookLM Deep Dive human written to make goat science make sense.

Weaning doesn’t have to be a battle of wills or a screaming match echoing across the pasture. In this episode of Hoofnotes, we unpack what the research says about weaning strategies that support both physical and emotional health in goat kids. We’ll break down the pros and cons of early versus late weaning, how gradual separation compares to cold turkey approaches, and why nutrition and stress management during this time matter more than you might think.

Whether you’re raising kids on the bottle or lambar, leaving them with the dam, or trying to transition a mixed group, this episode offers practical tips backed by science and shaped by real-life experience here at Goat House Farm in Florida. We’ll share signs that your kids are ready to wean, and how to avoid common pitfalls like growth slumps, parasite flare-ups, or behavioral issues.

You’ll leave with a better understanding of how to tailor your weaning plan to your farm, your management style, and most importantly, the needs of your goats.

Because weaning shouldn’t just be about taking something away, it’s a chance to give your kids the best start toward independence.

Visit Companion Blog for this Episode: ⁠https://goathousefarm.com/weaning-goat-kids-strategies

Articles for this episode: Zobel, G., Freeman, H., Watson, T., Cameron, C., & Sutherland, M. (2019). Effect of different milk-removal strategies at weaning on feed intake and behavior of goat kids. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 34, 14–22.44

Vickery, H. M., Neal, R. A., Stergiadis, S., & Meagher, R. K. (2023). Gradually weaning goat kids may improve weight gains while reducing weaning stress and increasing creep feed intakes. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 10, 1200849.

A NotebookLM Deep Dive human written to make goat science make sense.

In this episode, we're diving (really deeply) into one of the most important, yet often overlooked, aspects of goat care in hot climates: nutrition. We’re breaking down a dense but eye-opening scientific review that asks a critical question: are the feeding systems we use for goats really built for the environments we raise them in?

Most feeding guidelines for goats were developed in temperate regions, like parts of Europe or the U.S., where heat stress isn't a daily concern. But this paper takes a fresh look at what goats actually need when they're growing or pregnant in hot climates, think Brazil, and by extension, places like the southern U.S. and especially here in Florida.

The researchers explore how heat, pregnancy stage, breed (or genotype), and even whether a goat is male or female can change their energy, protein, and mineral needs. Goats in hotter regions often eat less to stay cool, but their bodies still need to grow, build muscle, or support developing kids. That mismatch can lead to undernourishment or poor performance, unless we adjust their diets with heat in mind.

We’ll talk about what this means for real-world feeding: how energy needs shift, why protein may need to be dialed up, and what minerals might need special attention in hot-weather herds. Whether you're raising meat goats, dairy does, or just trying to manage growth during a brutal summer, this episode gives you science-backed tools to feed smarter, not just more.

So grab some shade, maybe a cold drink, and let’s get into how heat really affects your goats' breakfast.

Referenced Article: I.A.M.A. Teixeira, C.J. Härter, J.A.C. Vargas, A.P. Souza, M.H.M.R. Fernandes, Review: Update of nutritional requirements of goats for growth and pregnancy in hot environments, animal, Volume 18, Supplement 2, 2024,

101219, ISSN 1751-7311, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101219.

A NotebookLM Deep Dive human written to make goat science make sense.

Visit Companion Blog for this Episode: https://goathousefarm.com/goat-nutrition-hot-weather/

Explore groundbreaking research revealing how sexually active male goats can simultaneously boost reproduction in both female and other male goats, leading to high fertility and synchronized kidding, even during the non-breeding season.

Visit Companion Blog for this Episode: https://goathousefarm.com/goat-fertility-sociosexual-interactions/

Reference Article:López-Magaña, Natalia, Luz María Tejada, Dolores López-Magaña, Jair Millán-Orozco, Horacio Hernández, Jersson Millán-Orozco, Marie Bedos, et al. “Male Goats Exposed to the ‘Male-to-Male Effect’ Stimulate the Reproductive Activity and Ensure High Fertility of Both Does and Male Goats during the Non-Breeding Season.” Theriogenology 243 (2025): 117476. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.117476.

A NotebookLM Deep Dive human written to make goat science make sense.