Farm Blog - Bystander Farm

Disbudding Goats: Bystander’s Guide to What, Why, and How

If you’ve spent any time around goats, you know horns are part of their natural charm. They’re beautiful, they’re useful in the wild, and they’re part of what makes goats… goats. But on a small farm, horns can also be trouble. That’s where disbudding comes in. What Is Disbudding? Disbudding is the process of removing […]

Ensuring the Safety of Your Home-Produced Milk

A Guide to On-Farm Rapid Testing for Cheese, Butter, and Beyond In light of recent news of hospitalizations in our state due to raw milk consumption, and as a small dairy producer myself, this seems like important information to get out there for the rapidly growing home dairy community. Even when you’re not selling raw […]

Post-Banding Care Guide for Bucklings

🐐 Post-Banding Care Guide for Bucklings 📆 Healing Timeline Week What to Expect Owner Actions 1 Mild swelling, band firmly in place Watch for discomfort, check daily 2 Tissue begins to darken and dry No tugging or handling, monitor hygiene 3 Scrotum looks necrotic, may show redness nearby Check for irritation or infection; clean gently […]

Castrating Male Goats on the Small Farm: A Practical, Humane Guide

Castrating Male Goats on the Small Farm: A Practical, Humane Guide Castrating male goats is a common and responsible management practice for small farms. Whether you’re raising wethers for companionship, meat, or calmer herd dynamics, the decision to castrate — and how to do it — matters. This guide is written from the hands-on perspective […]

Important Goat Illness Information

Important Goat Illness Information Mini goats, like all livestock, can be susceptible to various illnesses. Normal temperature for a goat is 101.5 to 103.5 degrees F. If a goat is registering a temperature above normal, chances are high that they have an infection. If a goat is registering a temperature below normal the goat is […]

A Beginner’s Guide to Mini Goats

A Beginner’s Guide to Mini Goats Raising mini goats can be a delightful and rewarding experience. These charming, pint-sized animals are known for their friendly personalities and manageable size, making them perfect for small farms or even urban homesteads. If you’re new to mini goats, this guide will walk you through the essentials of caring […]

The Ultimate Guide to Storing and Managing Farm Fresh Eggs

The Ultimate Guide to Storing and Managing Farm Fresh Eggs Farm fresh eggs are delightful, providing rich flavor and superior nutritional value compared to store-bought eggs. However, proper storage and management are crucial to ensure their freshness and safety. Here’s everything you need to know about handling farm fresh eggs. Collecting the Eggs Frequency: Collect […]

How to Take Care of Day-Old Chicks: A Beginner’s Guide

How to Take Care of Day-Old Chicks: A Beginner’s Guide Raising day-old chicks can be an incredibly rewarding experience. These tiny, fluffy creatures need a lot of care and attention in their early days to ensure they grow up healthy and strong. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started on your journey of raising […]

Free Beekeeping Resources so you can Bee informed!

I find a lot of interesting resources on the web for my various species and projects, and I like to share them when I can. Here’s a lit of free resources that I’ve found to be super helpful in learning about bees and beekeeping! Free short course on beekeeping from the University of Arkansas online. […]

The Potential of the New mRNA Vaccine for Varroa Mites in Bees

I was reading an interesting study about the introduction of a new mRNA vaccine targeting Varroa destructor mites which I think presents a promising solution for small beekeepers. Varroa mites are a significant threat to honeybee colonies, causing severe damage and contributing to colony collapse. Traditional methods of controlling these mites, such as hanging strips […]