Welcome to Vicarious Ranch

Vicarious Ranch is a 60 acre ranch in Central Coast California, along the, now dry, bed of the Salinas River. We have a small but growing herd of dairy goats, a handful of hair sheep, rare heritage breed pigs, 75+ pasture raised chickens (layers and meat), a seasonal garden and 100+ fruit tree orchard. To help us manage our herds we have livestock guardian dogs and border collies. Life is busy on the ranch, but we do take time out to enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. The ranch sits about 20 minutes from Paso Robles and 45 minutes from coastal towns. The ranch is surrounded by large and small homesteads and cattle ranches. On immediate neighbor runs a seasonal u-pick orchard, another has a small vineyard, and a third is currently planting an olive grove.

An ideal intern candidate is someone who enjoys working outside and has a love for both animals and nature. We are looking for mature, responsible, hard working, problem solvers. While playing with the animals is a nice perk, it is not the crux of the position. Running a farm/ranch requires use of tools, strength and grit. We are looking for a daily commitment and we do ask that you commit to a minimum of 3 months. Preference will be given to those who can commit to a 6 month or longer term. Upon completing an internship, candidates should expect to have a good understanding of what it takes to manage a small farmstead

Intern will be trained in various duties and will have an opportunity to learn gardening, animal husbandry, raising poultry,as well as other important aspects of a sustainable homestead. Duties will change seasonally.

At Vicarious Ranch we raise animals for dairy and for meat. Our animals are raised humanely, yet we do harvest livestock for personal use. We currently raise chickens and ducks for eggs and meat, dairy goats, hair sheep and heritage breed pigs. Further, we have 3 beehives from which we harvest honey each year. Our future projects include; building a certified dairy and creamery, creating a roadside farm stand, bread making in our wood fired oven, and building a wash-house comprising of a composting toilet and solar shower.. Longer term aspirations include; a farm stay program, a cooking school, and an archery range.

Those working on the farm are welcome to its bounty to prepare their daily meals.

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Work Expectations

Interns are expected to be ready for work at specified start time (times vary seasonally)

Interns are expected to attend a daily morning meeting

Some experience with animals is helpful, but not necessary.

We kid/lamb/farrow from October-June

Work associated with kid/lamb/farrow:

Daily cleaning of barns

Once daily milking

Feeding/Water

Supplements and vaccinations

disbudding

banding and castration

late night/early morning attention

additional duties as assigned

Barn work:

Bottle feeding animals

Manure shoveling

Hay stacking

Associated farm work

Fence building and maintaining

Digging

Lifting

Compost Management

additional duties as assigned

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Garden/Orchard

Watering

Soil ammendment

Tilling

Digging

Troweling

Moving dirt

Seed starting

Harvesting

Greenhouse management

Planting

Water-line laying and maintenance

Inventory control

Succession planting

Building/Maintaining garden boxes

Pest control/management

additional duties as assigned

Chickens/Ducks

Daily tending to chicks

feed/water

keeping chicks clean/warm

keeping brooders clean

additional duties as assigned

Chickens

Scratch twice a day

Keeping clean and cool water

Keeping feed full

Oyster shell

Feeding kitchen scraps

Collect and inventory eggs

additional duties as assigned

Ducks

Keep food bins full

Clean pool and make sure access to clean water

Collect and inventory eggs

additional duties as assigned

What you may learn (seasonal)

All aspects of dairy goat and sheep management and care

Good dairy practices, udder prep, hand milking, milk handling, sanitation

Basic cheesemaking

Basic Homesteading

BeeKeeping

Composting

Cooking, canning and bread making

Housing

Tents/Cabins/RV

There is no running water in any of the buildings, but there is a privy, an outdoor shower in the bathhouse

We will assign housing according to which apprentice stays the longest. Shorter season stays might be in more temporary housing.

We will provide 1 set of bedding and basic cooking utensils. We ask that interns provide their own and towels and any specialty cooking equipment we might not have. We have laundry facilities on site. We will assign wash days and ask that you run full loads and use line drying when the weather permits. We have wireless DSL, but ask that live streaming be kept to a minimum as we have restricted capacity.

There is absolutely NO DRUG USE allowed on the Ranch. This is not negotiable. We will also not tolerate underage drinking. Responsible use of alcohol is okay. At this point in time we cannot accommodate family pets

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Work Protocols:

• We work with the daylight. The day starts earlier in the summer than in the winter, but we start with the sunrise and end with sundown. Days can be long and our summers get very hot in the mid-day. We work on less taxing projects during the heat of the day, or do chores in town on especially warm days. It is very important that when we know it is going to be a hot day, that we are very productive in the morning hours.

• We expect you to ask questions if you do not understand what we have asked you to do, or task assigned.

If you do not know how to use a certain farm tool or implement, it is your responsibility to ask for clarification or a tutorial.

• It is expected that you will to do the task as we ask, not create shortcuts unless it has been discussed with us and approved.
• There is a daily/weekly/monthly chore list attached to this manual. These tasks are to be completed on the day/week assigned and marked off the list. We will have the list posted daily along with other tasks/projects.
  • if you finish your task/chore, go back to the list and pick up the next thing on it.
  • if you see someone working on a chore or project...pitch in.
  • if the list is completely done, and there are no projects and everyone is sitting around idly...please go to Mike or Christy to see if there is something you can work on.
• If an item is on the chore list for “tuesday” but it is friday and it needs to be handled “off rotation”...such as a dirty water trough or the goats are out of minerals, just take care of it.
  • if you see something that looks irregular, say something or fix it
  • please do not walk around the ranch with blinders on. pay attention to your surroundings
• All tools from all projects get put away at the end of the day. This holds true even if you will “just be taking them back out the next morning”. Tools do not stay outside overnight.
• When you are working on a job and/or have completed it, clean the area fully. Please do not leave debris such as nails, pieces of fence, trash, cans lying around. Put it in the trash. If you see that someone else has left trash around, please clean up after them and either mention it to them or to us so we can handle the situation.
• If you borrow a tool, or anything for that matter, put it back when you are done using it.
• If you notice that something is “almost out” or no longer usable, please bring it to our attention so it can be refilled/replaced
• If you need a specific tool or implement to do the job assigned and can’t find it or we don’t have it...please bring it to our attention. We will try and get you what you need to do your job.
• Do not consume alcohol or use any drugs that can/may affect your performance. We are drug free ranch, so using illegal substances (as well as medical marijuana) on the property are strictly prohibited and will be grounds for termination.

• Do not consume alcohol or use any drugs that can/may affect your performance. We are drug free ranch, so using substances that affect performance and/or cognitive skills, on ranch grounds, or appearing intoxicated or under the influence of drugs in our presence is strictly prohibited and will be grounds for termination.

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Meals

We like to eat supper together a few times a month. We will provide basic groceries. During summer months, we have no shortage of milk, and eggs…as well as what we can produce in the garden during peak season. We also have meat from the animals we harvest. While we are generous with provisions, we ask that you only utilize what is allotted to you. It is difficult for us to accommodate specific dietary restrictions. We do believe, however that the basic pantry provisions should accommodate a vegetarian or vegan diet. It is important to note that we do not keep specialty items such as soy based or meat substitute products as part of the standard provisions. I don’t intend for it to appear that if you don’t eat meat, we don’t want you. There are many times when our meals are either vegetarian or easily adapted to be so. This is meant to inform that we eat and provide animal protein as a consistent part of the diet on the ranch. Vegetarians and vegans are welcome, but will need to actively participate in their meal preparation.

Food/Drink: We provide food that should take you through 3 meals a day. We do not serve 3 meals a day. We provide a weekly stipend for groceries. It is expected that the interns work together to purchase provisions that will last for the week and that are of nutritional value. The stipend is not enough for pre-packaged and convenience items...but is plenty to put together a nutritional meal. Only items that are purchased with your own personal money may be tagged for your own personal use. The stipend is a group amount. Any misuse or misappropriation will result in the forfeiture of the stipend and monthly groceries of my choice (and budget) without input delivered to the group.

For group dinners or lunches, you are welcome to pitch in on the cooking, or make the meal for everyone. Any specialty items for your personal use should be purchased with your stipend. We do try and keep a tray of snack type items and fruit available for you throughout the day.

We do not provide any alcoholic beverages, nor is the stipend to be used on alcoholic beverages. If you see beer/wine/alcohol in the fridge that you did not buy, it is not for your use. Responsible use of alcohol is okay but we expect interns to supply his/her own preference for everyday consumption. We do not allow for alcohol consumption during the workday. We also expect that you do not return to work (weekdays or weekends) under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

We keep bottle water on hand for guests and events. Bottled water is not to be consumed in lieu of water from the tap. Please fill/refill your personal water bottle from the kitchen tap for drinking. We also keep a refrigerator of soda pop and specialty drinks on hand for guests and group events. If you are an iced tea drinker, we can provide tea bags so you can make large batches of sun tea for consumption.

Generally you will be on your own to prepare most of your own meals.

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Causes for Dismissal

-theft

-trouble with the law

-insubordination

-inability or unwillingness to perform duties as assigned

-unreasonable breakage

-ignoring farm rules

-drug use

-animal abuse

-inability to get along with co-workers

-behavioral issues

-intoxication during work hours

-belligerence

Trial period

-we allow a one week, no fault trial period at the beginning of your stay. If things don’t work out, then we will ask you to leave, or you may want to leave on your own accord.

After the trial period, we ask that you give 2 weeks notice before leaving.

Pay Day

Sunday is pay day. Qualified interns will receive a stipend and full room and board

If we go away for an extended period (3 days or more) we will also pay the intern who is in charge a farmsitter rate.

You will be reimbursed for gas if you use your own vehicle for farm business on a pre-approval basis.

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What to bring

Barn clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty and possibly ruined, including barn boots.

Barn clothes are for the barn and clean clothes are for the kitchen/dairy, including separate shoewear.

Work gloves

reusable water bottle

Insect repellant

Sunscreen

Flashlight or headlamp

A good pocket knife

A good attitude

Towels, washcloths, etc

Sundries (soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, etc)

Specialty cooking gear

A mode of transportation. Please do not depend on using a ranch vehicle for personal use

We encourage a cellphone. We do not have a landline...please do not have family or friends call the ranch unless it is an emergency.

A laptop/ipad/tablet

House protocols

Dishes: If you use a dish, put it in the dishwasher. If the dishwasher is full, then wash, dry and put it away. If you do not know how to load a dishwasher, please ask for a tutorial. We load our dishwasher for maximum load, but do not multi-stack items.

Do not leave dishes stacked in the sink. Do not leave dishes, glasses, mugs outside. We have lots of animals and things get broken easily.

BBQ, Grill: You are welcome to use the outdoor grill anytime. Make sure that the wood you use is replenished and that the grill is cleaned and items put away after use.

Pizza Oven: Please ask for assistance/permission for the pizza oven. We try and fire it up at least once a week in the spring and summer.

Trash: When they are full, bring them down to the dumpster, including household trash

Laundry: assigned days (thursday/saturday) for full loads only and a maximum of 2 loads per person. large items to be taken to the laundromat in san Miguel. Laundry is to be done on your personal time, not during the work day and you must provide your own detergent. Do not leave laundry in

Showers: The shower in the bath house is for everyone’s use. Keep it picked up, clean and sanitary. Please use only your own bath items. Do not “borrow” someone else’s property. If not kept clean on your own accord, it will become an assigned chore.

Composting toilet: Please add a layer peat moss after use. No urinating standing up (sit down only). Both urine and composted mass are to be emptied/cleaned as needed. Do not wait for someone else to do it. If it is full, take care of it. Use water bottle and scrub brush to clean up after yourself. DO NOT rinse scrub brush in the shower.

FAILURE TO KEEP THE COMPOSTING TOILET CLEAN WILL RESULT IN YOU BEING ASSIGNED TO CLEAN IT DAILY.

We ask that you are considerate of other’s privacy while using the toilet/shower facilities. We also ask that those using those facilities consider whomever is bunking in the bathhouse as well. Please communicate with each other and accommodate schedules. Anyone who consistently and/or intentionally violates another’s privacy will be immediately dismissed

Shared Space: Shared space is to be kept clean and free of clutter and detritus. You are welcome to charge items at the main ranch (on the deck or in garage during inclement weather), but it is not a receptacle for things. Please let us know if you need a place to store your items. We will find space for you in the barn or other buildings. We cannot be held responsible for loss, theft, or damage to your possessions.

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Daily Chores: {updated 8/2017}

Feed Goats twice a day--all hay to go in trough or dry ground. No hay on wet ground

-generally we feed 1 flake per 4 goats at each feeding

-generally we feed 75% forage and 25% alfalfa

-during gestation and post kidding we feed a higher percentage of alfalfa

Grain nursing and gestating does as prescribed

-each goat eats differently

Feed Piglets twice a day--all feed to go in trough or bowls. No food on the ground

-pigs get a ration that is ½ barley and ½ pellet

-when we are finishing the pigs we have seasonal changes in food

When Nursing...make sure Sows have a food in their bin always

-for the first 4 weeks it is pellet only, when the piglets start to eat the food too, we do a 50% pellet/50% barley

Feed Breeder Pigs once daily in evening

Feed sheep twice a day. {seasonal}

-when we are breeding and have separated the sheep we give 1 flake per 4 sheep of forage hay of those we are breeding

-when sheep go out to graze we give them approximately 1 flake per 8 sheep in the morning of forage hay

-when there is plenty to graze, the sheep only get a little bit of hay in the evening to get them to come back in.

Let sheep out to graze

-the sheep have a tendency to test the fences, check with Mike to see where he wants the sheep to graze each day.

-Ruckus and Rizzo go out with the sheep unless you are told otherwise

Chicken scratch

-the chickens in the run and in the “nursery” get scratch in the morning and the evening.

-run chickens get a healthy scoop twice a day

-nursery chickens get a healthy quarter scoop twice a day

Chicken Food/Water

-make sure all chicken feeders are at a minimum ½ full. Make sure all water sources are full. They may need to be refilled multiple times each day, particularly when it is hot. In the mornings, they may have ice on them, crack the ice.

Turkeys

-turkeys are to always have food and water. Make sure they have access and that there is food/water at all times

Ducks

-ducks share the food/water with the chickens. We do a mixture to make sure the protein content doesn’t get too high or low. Make sure there is food in the morning. It does not need to be filled overnight.

-the khaki campbell ducks get locked up at night. If it is very hot, make sure they have access to water overnight. If it is mild or moderate, this is not necessary

Check water for goats/sheep/chickens/ducks/pigs to make sure they have clean water and that it is not frozen in winter or boiling hot in summer

Water garden(s) and orchards as needed

-based on the time of year, we have schedules for watering

Pick any ripe fruits/vegetables

-bring into the house or in the garage refrigerator

Top off all feed bins daily (the large bins, not the feeders)

Feed inside and outside dogs

outside dogs get 2 scoops of dry food (the small red scoop) + and 2 eggs or broth or goat’s milk mixed in. Ask Christy if there is anything to put in the food

inside dogs get dry food (2 scoops for jinx and ¼ scoop for scout and wd) + wet food. Scout and WD share ½ pouch and Jinx gets ½ pouch. Mix fully to coat dry food with wet food.

Feed cat

Cat gets dry food all day in feeder and wet food once a day at night. She gets 1 generous spoonful of wet food

Give dogs their medication

-use a small portion of a treat with a bit of peanut butter to adhere the pill. It doesn’t have to be excessive.

Nella gets thyroid medication 2 times a day

Jinx gets med for valley fever 2 times a day

Give all dogs a treat in the morning

-everyone gets 1 treat

Check water for all animals. If the stock tanks look dirty, then clean out. Goats will not drink from a dirty stock tank and can easily dehydrate in warm weather. All stock tanks get generous glugs of cider vinegar...particularly the bucks. They get at least 1 cup of vinegar in their stock tank at each cleaning.

Collect chicken eggs -see specific instructions regarding eggs

Collect duck eggs and put in separate (from chicken) tray in refrigerator

Administer medications/vaccinations as assigned

Check electric fence and fix any issues that arise

Make sure Livestock Dogs are with their assigned charges

Work on projects as assigned by Mike

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Weekly Chores

We run a 7 day work week. When we are milking, goats get milked every day. While we do not work on projects on the weekends, interns are responsible for morning and evening chores as well as any emergency issues which may come up. Typically the bulk of the weekend is considered “free time”. If you are on-site during the day on a weekend, we will expect that you will pitch in for anything that needs to be done. We will not accept you being present but ignoring a situation that may be occurring (animal medical, fence issue, unloading feed for example)

Monday: Clean out water troughs. Scrub and refill. Add 1 cup of cider vinegar to both the

Female and male goat’s tanks.

Clean out water troughs in Chicken run.

Take female goats on walk --seasonally

clean out and fill duck pool

Turn or water compost pile (as necessary)

Tuesday: Refill goat/sheep minerals

Refill baking soda

Refill chicken oyster shell

Muck out goat housing--put spent hay on compost pile

Wednesday: Top out goat grain bins/make note of anything that we need to replenish/replace

take female goats on walk--seasonally

Top off all feeders

clean and fill duck pool

Progressive seeding for garden --seasonally

Thursday: Brush livestock dogs--collect hair and put on compost pile

Muck out goat housing--put spent hay on compost pile

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Friday: Take female goats on walk --seasonally

clean and fill duck pool

Take feed/hay/supply inventory and advise what needs to be ordered

-feed: duck, goat grain, pigs, chicken, scratch, dog

-hay: alfalfa, forage

-supplies: minerals, baking soda, cider vinegar, kelp, diamond v yeast,

worming medication

Saturday: Feeding Chores AM

Feeding Chores PM

Sunday: Feeding Chores AM

Feeding Chores PM

Monthly Chores:

1. Add straw/shavings to all the nesting boxes 1st and 3rd Monday of the month
2. Clean chicken poop from any structures, nesting boxes, cars, decks, etc 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the Month
3. Clean out all structures 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month
   1. goat barns get total clean out scrubbed down with soapy water, dried and clean bedding
4. Wash all buckets 1st and 3rdnThursday of the month
5. Sweep out garage 1st Friday of the month
6. feed plants (fertilize) 2nd Monday of the Month

*Chore schedule and tasks are subject to change.

Vaccination Schedule

GOATS

DAM

3 weeks before kidding: 1 cc per 40lbs Selenium & 2 cc CDT

2 squirts of drench at kidding and continue for first week

KIDS

birth

¼-½ cc Selenium

2 squirts drench

day 2-5 2 squirts of drench

Day 3 Disbudding

1 cc tetanus

3 weeks:

day 1: 2 cc CDT

1 cc per 5 lbs Albon 12.5% (coccidosis treatment) *if needed

day 2-5 1 cc per 10 lbs Albon 12.5% *if needed

6 weeks:

day 1: 2 cc CDT

1 cc per 5 lbs Albon 12.5% (coccidosis treatment) *if needed

day 2-5: 1 cc per 10 lbs Albon 12.5% *if needed

6-8 weeks: Tattoo

½ cc tetanus

9 weeks:

day 1: 2 cc CDT

1 cc per 5 lbs Albon 12.5% (coccidosis treatment) *if needed

day 2-5: 1 cc per 10 lbs Albon 12.5% *if needed

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Goat Gestation and Kidding

The gestation of a goat is between 145 and 155 days. We mark the calendar when we first put a buck and doe together and count the gestation from there. During gestation we do not give the does any medication if it can be avoided.

At 3 weeks prior to kidding we give the does 2cc CDT and 1 cc Selenium. This is given to them at this time, so their kids will receive the benefits through the placenta.

At the same time we also put the does on a “flushing” regimine. At this time we begin to introduce grain into their diet….a little at a time. We progressively increase the grain until they kid...and then we give them a full portion of grain twice a day.

At approximately 5-7 days before scheduled kidding, we put the pregnant doe “up” at night to make sure she has a warm place to kid, if she kids overnight.

We always make sure there is clean water with vinegar or bluelight for all moms.

On the day of kidding we make sure the doe has a safe and warm place to tend to her kids. She gets as much hay as she pleases. We also look for signs of stress and administer a drench of corn syrup/molasses if we see she is having trouble keeping her energy up. She gets 2 squirts of vitamin drench after kidding and every day for 5 days after. Her kids also get drench for 5 days.

We worm the doe on the day after kidding as a precaution. We use Valbazen for this. It is orally administered. We follow a worming protocol of worm +10 days worm +10 days worm +30 days worm.

The kidding/nursery pen is to be cleaned daily to ensure a clean space for the babies.

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Lambing

If one of the sheep has a lamb, here are the steps to take

1. Make sure the lamb is able to nurse and mom is being attentive
   1. Check its mouth...if it is warm, then it has been nursing
   2. Check it every few hours and make sure the mom is attending to it
2. Give it a ½ cc of selenium
   1. The selenium is in the egg fridge. Be very careful with it and make sure it goes back into the fridge when you are finished with it.
   2. Selenium is very thick. You will need to use a thicker needle ...but not too thick.
   3. Give it sub Q (lift the skin and give injection between the skin and the muscle.
3. Give mom and baby 2 pumps of the sheep/goat drench.
   1. It is in the vet barn and is a white plastic bottle with a pump on it. Contents are dark brown and smell very vitaminy
4. Keep mom and baby in when other go out. Give her a flake of alfalfa and forage hay when the others go out. You can also give her a few cups of alfalfa pellets every day.

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Where to buy Feed/Supplies

Alfalfa CalAg or Premier Ag

Alfalfa Pellet: Tractor Supply or CalAg

Barley: CalAg or Templeton Feed

-Can be rolled or whole for goats/must be rolled for pigs

Chicken Layer Lemos

--freedom layer pellet

Dog Food: CalAg or Atascadero

-Kruse green bag

Duck Pellet Lemos

Forage Hay Premier Ag or Lane

Medical Supplies Santa Cruz

-needles, syringe, antibiotics, salves, sprays, etc

Minerals: Goat- Tractor Supply--need to order

Sheep-Cal Ag

Oats: CalAG/Tractor Supply or Lemos

Pig Pellet Lemos

--freedom livestock

Scratch: Lemos/Cal Ag/Tractor Supply

Sunflower Seeds: Tractor Supply

-black oil in orange bag

Turkey Pellet Lemos

• We order from Lemos under Indian Valley Creamery. We get 40 bags of feed at a time (a full pallet) in order to get a 10% discount. Ben is our contact person there.

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Egg Collecting

We collect eggs every day and sometimes three times a day (in very hot weather). The ducks tend to lay eggs overnight or early in the morning, so their eggs are picked up during morning feeding.

There are standard areas that the chickens use to lay eggs, however because they are free ranging, they may lay just about anywhere. Do not expect that you will only find eggs in the nesting boxes. Be on the lookout for eggs everywhere.

-If a chicken is clucking loudly in an area, it usually indicates that they have laid an egg nearby or that they want to but another chicken is in their spot

-if there is a dark corner somewhere, or a hidden place, they are most likely laying there

-if you see the dogs rooting away in a spot, there are probably chicken eggs there

-if there is hay stacked anywhere, there will be eggs as well

-if you find a new hiding spot and all of the eggs are the same color, it is probably 1 chicken that has been laying for quite some time. Never collect the eggs (for eating) that you find in a new place for the very first time. Gather those eggs and toss them directly to the chickens. Continue to look in the same spot(s) going forward and collect those eggs for eating after the initial clean out.

-do not assume that the chickens are only laying where you want them to lay...pay attention every day as you are watering or doing chores.

STORING EGGS

-Eggs are to be separated before going into the refrigerator

Cracked eggs are to be tossed directly to the chickens

Eggs that are excessively filthy (chicken eggs only) are to be either tossed directly to the chickens or separated out to feed to the dogs

Eggs that are very small are to be separated out to be fed to the dogs

-Eggs are to go directly into the refrigerator once separated

-Eggs are to be put on flats..and flats should be full. If previous day’s flat isn’t full, fill it with current day’s eggs

-Flats should be marked with the date the eggs were collected. If 2 day’s worth of eggs are on the flat, mark both days.

-Flats should be stacked in first in/first out method. This means that the oldest eggs should be on top and in front, newest eggs should be in back on bottom. FIFO (first in, first out).

-This holds true for duck as well as chicken eggs

-When we run out of space in the fridge and/or eggs are over 1 month old they should be fed to the pigs. The pigs can eat raw eggs in the shell.

-Duck eggs are not to be fed to Indiana Jones

Cleaning out Stock Tanks

Turn off the spigot and remove the float (if necessary).

Check to see if there is a fish in the tank (some stocktanks have fish)

Make a bucket of water from the tank and put fish inside

Dump the water fully. If it is too heavy, use a bucket to empty the water until it is light enough for you to lift.

Scrub the sides and bottom of the stock tank until all gunk is off. Use soap if necessary, but you should be able to use a brush only to get it clean.

Rinse the stock tank to get all the gunk out.

Return the stock tank to its position.

Return the float and make sure it is secure

Turn the water back on

Add 1 cup cider vinegar (except the stock tank by the cars , this does not need vinegar)

Let the water warm a bit to the temperature the fish is swimming in

Return the fish to the stock tank

Make sure there are no leaks and that the tank does not overflow with the new positioning

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Milking procedures

• Gather the milk equipment and make sure it stays clean and free from dirt/dust
• Fill the feeder for the goat you will be milking
  • we are fairly generous when we are milking. The grain and alfalfa pellets help with the volume of milk. It also helps keep the goats calm while you are milking. If they go through it quickly, it is better to increase the alfalfa pellets than the grain...but i tend to fill the square bucket fully when milking.

1 part grain

⅓ part sunflower seeds

1 part alfalfa

Generous pinch diamond V yeast

2 vitamin c tablets

Any treats or vegetables

1 calcium chew

• Do not put the food on the stand unless you are ready to start prepping/milking
• The goat will go to the stand on its own. When she puts her head through the stanchion, close it and lock it.
• Give her the grain.

Prepping the udder

• Please wash your hands/arms before milking. If you have any cuts/infections please wear gloves.
• Wipe the udder and teats down with several antiseptic wipes, until they are not showing dirt.
• Dip each teat in the blue teat dip solution
• Count slowly to 10
• Wipe the teats with the antiseptic wipes
• Test squirt into the bucket.
  • If you see blood or clotting, inform christy or mike
  • If you do not see blood or clotting, continue
• Milk directly into the small bucket
• After each goat, pour the milk into the larger bucket--through the filter
  • If a goat puts her foot on or in the bucket, the milk needs to be tossed. You may give to the dogs. The bucket must be cleaned thoroughly before being used again.

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• Milk out the udders fully. It is good practice to, once the udder seems empty, to wait a minute and give a couple more squeezes.
  • milking the udder out fully helps to reduce the risk of mastitis
• Dip the teats fully once again with the blue teat dip and DO NOT WIPE CLEAN
• Let the goat out of the neck brace and let her out of the paddock
• Do the entire process again with each goat

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Milk Handling

It is important to bring the milk to a cold temperature as soon as possible. The pressure is not as high in cold weather, but the milk should not sit out any longer than is absolutely necessary. Once all of the goats are milked, bring the milk into the house and prepare it for storage

We store our milk in glass bottles when available. We will freeze milk in ziploc bags when necessary.

Glass Bottles

• Use only clean bottles
• Use only bottle specifically for milk
• Make sure the bottle has a secure top before using

Storing Milk

• Remove the filter from the funnel and rinse the funnel thoroughly
• Place a new filter into the funnel
• Pour the milk through the funnel into a glass jar. Be careful not to over-fill the funnel.
• Place cover on the jar/bottle and tag with day/date sticker and place in the outside refrigerator
• Place the newest milk in the back of the fridge and use the oldest milk that is in the front row.
  • We work on a first in/first out principle (FIFO).
• Make sure refrigerator is fully closed

Cleaning Equipment

Anything that has stored or been in contact with milk has a specific cleaning routine. It must be cleaned out immediately. Milking equipment must be cleaned immediately..do not leave it in the sink for later

• rinse thoroughly with cool water until there is no milk residue
• wash with hot water and soap, using a clean sponge
• be careful to wash both the inside/outside/bottom of all pieces
• rinse with the hottest water that you can stand
• air dry on a clean cloth

Cleaning of Barns

Basic Mucking

Basic mucking is cleaning out any spent hay/straw or poop pellets that are on the floor of the barns. These should be put into a wheelbarrow and transported directly to the compost pile, unless someone has asked you to put it as mulch somewhere.

Do not sweep the barn onto the ground, unless you will be pickin it up from the ground and moving it to the compost pile.

Deep Mucking

When we are kidding or have an issue in the barns they may need to be cleaned more thoroughly. This means cleaning out the hay/straw/poop and putting in the compost pile. This also means cleaning the floors and walls (if necessary) and scrubbing clean. You may need to use water and vinegar or soap or baking soda depending upon the issue.

• We use baking soda to cover large patches of urine, and then sweep it clean.
• If using soap, make sure it is diluted properly
• In some instances you may need to use bleach. Make sure it is diluted properly and that it is fully rinsed and dried before letting any animals near the area
• If you would be bothered by laying your favorite piece of clothing on the floor of the barn, it probably needs to be “deep mucked”

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Compost

Directly onto the Compost Pile

• Hay
• Straw
• Ruminant poop
• Chicken coop droppings
• Green waste
• Egg shells
• Coffee
• Tea

Case by Case Basis

Pig Poop and Human Urine

Depending upon the stage of the compost pile, we may or may not put the poop directly on the pile

Give to Chickens

-do not just throw over fence. go into the run and place it in the middle of the run. It should not be able to be accessed by a dog pushing the bottom of the fence in and grabbing it.

Kitchen Scraps

• No chocolate
• No avocado or anything that has touched avocado
• No macadamia nuts
• No coffee
• No tea

Give to Worms --please speak to Veronica before giving the worms anything, but the following are acceptable waste items for them.

• Egg shells
• Coffee
• Newspaper
• Printer paper
• Green waste
  • Nothing with oils or animal product
• Finished compost
• Keep covered
• Keep moist but not wet

Chore schedule and tasks are subject to change

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