Caprice Acres Farm
Happily Homesteading in Michigan
Welcome to Caprice Acres!
Proud member of the American Dairy Goat Association, National Miniature Goat Association, and the Michigan Dairy Goat Society.
Welcome to my website. Not long ago I raised ADGA French and American Alpines, as well as Meat Type NMGA Registered Miniatures.
I loved raising goats. However, I had to decide between my animals and my education - my better judgment won out. I sold off all of my dairy goats and my 'extra' miniatures. I now am down to just 5 goats. The only dairy goat I have is a French Alpine wether, Tux, who will be trained for Cart. I will no longer be breeding my goats, because I no longer can guarantee I'll be able to be present for kiddings, something I find mandatory. So for now, my goats are just pets.
The main reason I had to sell off the dairy herd was lack of time to attend births, milk 2x per day and bottle raising the babies - it wasn't that I needed money or lost interest. I also will be moving more towards Lansing in two years when I transfer to Michigan State University, and won't be able to take the goats with me. For my pet miniatures, this is no problem - they just need hay a few times per week and fresh water, chores my dad will be able to keep after easily. I couldn't, however, ask him to spend his precious spare time on feeding kids, milking goats 2x per day, attending births - not that he'd even know where to begin. Thus, I made the decision.
Don't think you've heard the last of me, however. I plan on going to school to become a veterinarian. I've got many years of study ahead of me - Large and small animal vet (will specialize in ruminants!) as well as hopefully going for Equine Sciences and Ranch Management.
Someday I'll have my big farm and research center out in Montana - or somewhere similar with mountains in the distance. I'll have lots of pasture for my animals, and time to plan wonderfully set up facilities. Then, once I"m financially stable, I'll have dairy goats again. I can't wait - though it may be years and years down the road. Someday, I'll be back.
If you are looking for dairy goats, need help, or would like more information on goats, you can still feel free to contact me. I have a few connections with several VERY good breeders that I can put you in contact with as well as deciding exactly WHAT you want out of your dairy/meat goats and choosing a line to concentrate on. I can help you make decisions, find breeders, set up pasture/housing, find feed, milk - I still know how to handle goats even if I don't have my ladies anymore.
A New Endeavor
I sold of the dairy herd due to lack of time and lack of schedule flexibility. I can no longer skip class to attend birthings - college is a little different than highschool, and I'm not willing to compromise my education, though it was a very difficult decision.
Me being who I am, I decided to take the money I got for my dairy herd and spend it on MYSELF. I am so used to putting all of my money towards the goats - grain, hay, equipment, milk, veterinary work, etc - that deciding to spend such a hefty lump of money on myself was unusual. Me being who I am, I knew I wanted to invest it back into some sort of animal. But, it would be a type of animal relatively easy to care for, inexpensive to feed, easy to house in such a way that I could take them with me to an apartment when I move - and specifically, won't pee on the apartment carpeting. It also won't mind if I have little time during an exam week and can't socialize with it for a while.
Just a few animals fit the bill - reptiles. I have experience with them in the past, before I concentrated on Livestock 7 years ago. I have researched and decided to mainly get boas, which generally reach a maximum size of 8' - respectable but not frighteningly huge like a burmese or reticulated python. Specifically, I fell in love with Brazilian Rainbow boas, which have unique scales that act rather like prisms, reflecting light into a rainbow of colors. They are pretty sought after, so I decided to get a pair - I may never choose to breed but if I do, I don't need an incubator because boas are livebearers. I also like the common boa and am investigating several others that I may wish to invest in.
My first reptile love is iguanas, however. I have decided I miss my iguanas and would like to invest in a few Red iguanas, having only had greens in the past. A couple should be easily housed for a few years and one they outgrow caging facilities we are prepared to allow them free roam of the place.
Though a more difficult type of lizard, I may also get some chameleons. My father used to raise jackson's chameleons, so he has an affection for that variety. I, however, like Veilds because they seem so much more colorful than many other species.
As a result of wanting large boas, I have become a rodent breeder as well. I'm raising mice and rats. I am pleasantly surprised at the pet quality that rats possess. They are intelligent and entertaining, and extremely sweet in nature. While I'm breeding for feeders, I treat my mature individuals as pets and would not object to selling a few extra pups on occasion into pet homes.
I do have a website chronicling my reptilian adventures as well as my rodent breeding. It is : Cold Blooded Embrace
Disclaimer
On this website you will find information on how I personally raise/keep my goats and other livestock. This may include vet care procedures done at home. While I may tell how/why I am doing something, this does NOT mean that you should diagnose the problem at your own home yourself, then try to go about treating it. Please consult a livestock vet familiar with goats or another large goat breeder for help in treating your goats before you attempt treatment. It is easy for you to mis-diagnose the problem and give the wrong medications. This information has been compiled as general reference only. I am not a veterinarian, and this information is not intended to replace professional advice. I disclaim all liability in connection with the use of this information and offer no guarantees of its effectiveness. This is regardless of wether or not this disclaimer was read. I personally always consult my vet and my animal forum (www.homesteadingtoday.com) about treatment/problems before I treat anything. I HIGHLY suggest you do the same.