Biosecurity
Disease prevention is an important factor when adding a new animal to your herd or flock. I test all purchased animals for CAE/OPP and Johnes as a standard practice, and have never had a positive result. Because of the size of my herd, most of which have never left the farm, I do not typically whole-herd test animals that are born here. Dairy kids are raised on pasteurized milk and/or milk replacer. I will happily test any animal at purchaser’s expense to your preferred laboratory – please ask!
I do not typically test for Caseous lymphadenitis (CL), but have never had an incidence of the disease at my farm. CL is often lumped together with CAE and Johnes in bio-security screening, but in my opinion, the disease does not warrant the extreme culling associated with CAE and Johnes.
It’s important to understand that CAE/OPP and Johnes are not the only health factor that impacts small ruminants. Proper nutrition, record keeping, barn environment are all important to your animal’s health. I fed Kalmbach grain, local grass/alalfa mix hay, DuraFerm mineral, and rotationally graze my pasture. Parasites are managed according to the recommendations at www.wormx.info. Animals received vaccines for CD&T, M. Haemolytica Pasteurella Multocida pneumonia, and Staphylococcus aureus and CNS (Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) mastitis (Vimco). Health records are maintained using ‘Livestocked‘ software
Sales
If you are interested in purchasing a kid, please call/text (616) 648-4313, email leslie@aubelfarm.com, or message me through Facebook. I will place you on a list to be contacted when kids are available. Because my herd is growing, I do not require deposits for dairy kids and reserve the right to not offer any animal for sale.
Dairy Goats
Dairy kids are sold with ADGA registration and DNA completed at 4 weeks of age. Additional charge of $2 per day will be assessed for each day of care beyond 4 weeks. Transport to the Gerald R. Ford – Grand Rapids, MI airport, Ionia exit I-96 or Greenville exit US-131 is included at no additional charge. Other transportation costs including veterinary, crate, shipping costs are at the expense of the buyer. Animals are sold with no guarantee of health, reproductive, or show/production success. However, I want to see all Au Bel animals do well and all buyers be satisfied with their purchases! I’m available to help you reach your goals.
Boer Kids and Market Wethers
If you are interested in a Boer kid, please reach out. Don’t delay! Disbudding and castration decisions are made very early in the animal’s life! If you are interested in 4H market animals, please let me know, I may be able to adjust breeding dates to target your fair. Prices on market kids range from $200 to $500 – a $100 deposit will reserve a kid.
Sheep and Wool
Interested in lambs or wool? Beautiful, colorful, raw Shetland fleeces are ALWAYS available! Reach out! leslie@aubelfarm.com
Watch for our Wool Etsy store, coming soon!
Au Bel Farm 