About the Author

Karen Kopf

Karen Kopf and her husband Dale own Kopf Canyon Ranch in Troy, Idaho. They enjoy "goating" together and helping others goat. They raise Kikos primarily, but are experimenting with crosses for their new favorite goating experience: pack goats! You can learn more about them at Kopf Canyon Ranch on Facebook or kikogoats.org
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Articles by Karen Kopf

The Dangers of Imprinting
April 13, 2022 · · Members Only, Ownership

Sometimes, circumstances make artificially raising a kid goat best for the kid or the dam. It is essential that when we raise a baby of another species, we consider the risk of imprinting.

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Goat Prolapses and Placentas
April 4, 2022 · · Health

There are things we expect to come out of a doe at kidding — and things we expect to stay in. Sometimes the unexpected occurs. Like a goat prolapse.

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Boy Bands are Back! Banding Goats 101
March 29, 2022 · · Health

Banding goats is how to castrate males that will not be used as bucks. Timely banding can be the safest, least intrusive way to accomplish castration.

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Kidding Oddities
March 21, 2022 · · Health, Members Only

Why do goat birth defects happen? Unexpected outcomes range from unusual to unsustainable deformities in rare cases.

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Goat Vaccinations and Injectables
March 17, 2022 · · Health

How to vaccinate your goat begins long before the injection, with proper means of storing and disposing of vaccines and syringes.

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Goats and The Law
March 14, 2022 · · Ownership

Goats can easily get themselves — and you — in trouble. You will be liable for the behavior of your kids. Liability can be addressed in three ways: 1. Reasonable Measures; 2. Insurance Coverage; and 3. Business Formation.

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Socializing Dam-raised Kids
February 20, 2022 · · Ownership

Socializing dam-raised kids takes time and patience. Keep your eyes on the prize. When the two of you begin your adventures together, every moment invested now will pay exponential dividends on the trail.

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Goats and Insurance
January 20, 2022 · · Ownership

If you have goats, have people visit your goats, or sell products made from goats, you may want to consider goat insurance. Standard homeowner policies typically do not cover livestock, nor will they cover livestock incidents or illness/injury.

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When Should You Use Lutalyse for Goats?
December 31, 2021 · · Health

There are risks to using Lute and other drugs. We prefer to avoid intervention in our herd unless there is a clear, unmistakable risk not to intervene.

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Can Goats Eat Christmas Trees?
December 20, 2021 · · Ask The Expert

Can goats eat Christmas trees? The simple answer is yes, they can. The real question is whether goats should. Trees can be treated with fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, growth regulators, color enhancers, and flame retardants during their lifespan.

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