Welcome to Ladybug Hill Farm
Ladybug Hill is a small 8 acre
farm located in Rawley Springs at the base of the beautiful Allegheny
Mountain ridge west of Harrisonburg Virginia.
Once a horse farm, Ladybug Hill is now primarily a hobby farm with a
focus on raising Boer goats and Silver Fox rabbits.
Our goal is to produce robust,
correct, fast-growing goats that adhere to the breed standards set forth
by the ABGA. We would like to promote the Boer breed, as a sustainable
meat breed that has high rates of reproductive efficiency and growth. We
strive towards a show quality herd without sacrificing hardiness with
culls being used for our own consumption or sold to the local market. We
track ADGs for growth for performance data. We do a limited amount
of showing due to schedule constraints but we buy proven show
stock/genetics including several Ennobled bucks.
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Our History:
I first decided to get a couple of
goats to help with pasture management and weed control here on my horse
farm. Having another species of animal that
is a compatible grazer can be a great way to control weeds and
parasites. The farm is not conducive to bush-hogging and I don't
like using chemicals to control weeds. I have been very
pleased with the pasture improvement results.
I first got interested in the Boer breed so
that the goats would have a dual purpose. Weed control was the
original intent, but I quickly decided that raising drug-free meat would
be desirable. Goat meat is the "most eaten" meat in the world.
I have discovered many recipes for goat meat that I enjoy.
In addition to raising
healthy drug-free ethical meat, I have also discovered the art of
cheese-making. Although, we generally raise meat type of goats, we
try to keep at least one full dairy goat on the farm and have even
milked our percentage and fullblood Boers. We use the milk for any
bottle kids, and to make cheese and kefir.
Current Breeding Program: Show Quality
Boers with Top Pedigrees
Over the years, Ladybug Hill Farm has improved the herd dramatically and
continue to add high quality bucks. All of our goats are registered
with ABGA. With my
experience of breeding horses I understood the necessity of producing top
quality offspring with proven bloodlines and sound conformation.
We generally only choose traditional bucks with show records and good
temperaments. I will offer a
selection of high quality breeding stock to buyers and occasionally have
meat goats or show wethers for sale. I do not plan on offering many
intact buck kids for sale unless we have one that is
exceptional.
Regarding conformation, I pay particular attention
to soundness of legs and feet. My ideal goat would resemble the
large, hardy South African goat that grazes over long distances and that
has a strong back and hind leg capable of allowing the goat to stand up
on its hind legs to reach higher browsing branches. The trend in
the U.S. show ring is to breed animals that can be posed beautifully but
that actually have shallow jaws, bad feet, a short hip, and an overly
straight hock. None of these characteristics are desirable and
U.S. breeders should consider the long range impact on the breed type.
I would like to see the successful show ring type to resemble a true
meat type with sound structure and optimal substance that can be raised
economically for its original purpose.
General Management
The goats at Ladybug Hill are raised on pasture
with shelter from rain and wind. They are supplemented with
a good quality custom goat feed and goat mineral and hay all year round. I feed to maintain good condition but I do not
"push" the kids with overfeeding. I believe in raising livestock
in as natural a way as possible. Any goat that cannot maintain condition on my simple
feeding program is culled. I do not deworm on a schedule but based
on need. This practice selects for resistance to parasites, a highly
desirable quality in meat goats. Some does are only wormed at
kidding.
Resources:
American Boer Goat Association
Virginia Department of Agriculture and Human
Services
Boer Goats Breeders Alliance of the Virginia
Gestation Calculator
Saffron and my son
Photo by Jill Pariseault
