The block you used marked "Sheep and Goat" did not contain any copper. Copper is toxic for sheep but goats need copper in their diet. Maybe that could be why they are devouring the new blocks that should have copper in them. The dry minerals I buy are made by Purina and I get them in a 50lb. sack at the local feed store. They are specifically for goats. I have a feeder that is mounted in the barn so they can get it free choice along with baking soda and salt. It is in a raised dish mounted on the wall so they can't step in it and it stays clean. I am sure there are other brands of loose goat minerals on the market. Here is a good website about minerals, fiascofarm.com/goats/minerals.htm. The Golden Blend minerals from Hoeggers are expensive and you have to pay shipping, so I found that the Purina stuff works just as well. But, my goats also get a balanced goat ration, because they are milking. That is probably why they don't eat much of the minerals I put out. Bonnie

DPallas, you probably hit the nail on the head. My goat had been in under brush and had been eating vines and leaves off little bushes. She had eaten most everything she could easily get to, so then we moved her out from that area and put her where there was grass growing. That is what she ate for about five or six days. I can't believe this...I killed my goat. MAN, do I feel sick!!!! I had read everything that I could find and talked with several people who have goats but I didn't discuss whether they should eat grass like sheep or not.....Sometimes we learn from the school of experience and it isn't too fun learning. I want to get some more goats but I didn't want to get them until I could figure out what happened to "Baby". We have plenty of underbrush for them to eat so I know now to keep from eating off the ground and keep them in the bushes or with hay. Thanks for the information both of you. Thank you ttabb for the site, I will save it and read it a little later. I have to run down to Meridian to see about my MIL. So don't have a lot of time right now. Jan

I use a lot of goat manure along with many other manures in my gardening technique. It is wise to be careful with any manure, especially with all the incidents of E coli and other possible illnesses that can occur without careful handling. With proper composting using your tumbler you should have no problem creating a good, safe, and very powerful compost using goat manure. I am sure compost can be made within eight weeks, but I would not be inclined to use it in any of my gardening plots. When handling any manure, especially goat manure I always wear a mask to protect myself from any possible air-borne pathogens since goat manure can be very dry. To address your concern about what the goats are eating you can ask the owner exactly what the goats are being fed to somewhat ease your concern about weeds. Although, there are going to be some seeds in the manure, there is no way around that. By using a good mulch one can limit what weeds can grow, and protect the soil from the intense sun we have here in the south. Mulch will also add a layer of protection for any pets that may desire to get into a garden bed, which they are known to do. In my earlier search for information about composting goat manure I did happen upon a site that you might find helpful. By taking my time in composting all manures, letting it cure for even more time, and covering all plots with mulch I have found great success with compost. It is the gardenerÂs responsibility to protect not only themselves, but also any other living creature that may come in contact with compost IMO. Again, I do wear a mask and gloves with handling compost, for safety is of the utmost importance IMO. I do desire to help you find a safe way to reach your goal, and have some fun in the process Blutranes Here is a link that might be useful: Recycle To Replenish

Most of the time stiffness is due to laundry detergent build up or hard water conditions. It can also occur with lack of breeze. Laundry flapping in the wind is less stiff due to the fabric constantly moving. I live in a hard water area and still hang my clothes outside. I do not mind the stiffness, even in my towels and have not found the stiff towels to be less absorbent. In fact, I read somewhere, can't remember where, that still fabric is actually good for your skin as it exfoliates there in by keeping your skin healthier. Besides most stiffness goes away with wear and/or use. As for the smell of the clothing line dried, it has been my experience that unless you use a heavily perfumed detergent, the fresh air pretty much removes any scent. Now if you live in an area where the air stinks, then you may end up with that smell on your clothes. I had a prob with that a while back due to a near by resturant and all their greasy smelling cooking. My clothes were smelling like old hamburgers. Thank God they moved their business else where and I have had no further problems. Detergent build up and using fabric softner can make your clothes smell nasty too depending on what you are using, aka ingredients in them. Type of fabric can have a factor as to scent too. On a final note regarding odor in lined dried fabrics, many people are so use to the smell they get from detergents or their driers, which actually alters the smell of clothes even washed in perfume free detergents, that they have absolutely no idea what actual fresh clothing smells like. Clothes washed in a scent free detergent and then put in the drier smell different from those that are lined dried. Once you learn what an actual outdoor fresh smell is, the rest is a piece of cake.