Marijke Katsburg

Thanks for your answer. So you're saying we are just lucky with some females who are growing and producing over 7 years... The shitty thing is, that the new papayas we put over the years, don't seem to be as enthusiastic as the first ones. But maybe that's because of the draughts we have been suffering here, the last 4 years?

Hi there, Cabo Verde / Cape Verde here. We are having problems with our papaya trees. Getting slimmer and slimmer topwards, and crown leaves getting smaller and smaller. And finally they drop down. Rumor has it, here on our island, that it's a disease. Anybody here on the forum with words of wisdom?

Kate Downham wrote: and choosing goat breeds based on which ones are best for your climate.

Thanks for your reply.
According to my local neighbour I have the common Capeverdean type of goat, with it's roots on the Canary Islands. So they are used to the harsh climate, very natural and strong. So far during this 6 years of goat keeping, they never had a condition that couldn't be cured a natural way (observing, common sense, local wisdom).
With the vet remark, I was referring to some online goat groups who talk about antibiotics all the time. That's not what I need - and since you are invited by the Permies, it's not what I expect from you either

I love science!
The parameters: one group is living next to my house, about 5 m. The other group is living on the other side of the house, about 100 m. and a bit lower (5 m) They cannot see each other. They might hear each other, like they can hear the goats high in the mountains or the two or three at sealevel, 100 m in front of our place.

Yes, there I read it: "...If you're after dairy all year round, you might need to kid different does at different times of the year,..."

I am wondering if and how that would be possible.
So far -sharing my thoughts and wishes with other goat keepers- I heared things like: just possible with hormones, because goats are naturally in heat just in this after summer months.
I dare to doubt that, and besides I would never do such a thing: unnaturally mess around with healthy animals. So I would love advise on how to let my goats kid (naturally) at different times of the year.
My situation: I have two groups with in each 2 adult does, 1 first-time-mom and (since january/february) in each group 2 female offspring.
I was thinking to give the first-time-moms a break, and try to get them pregnant not earlier than January/February 2020. Together with the newborns of 2019.

Looking forward to advice and/or ideas, suggestions

Welcome to goat keeping, and enjoy!
I am goat keeping to provide us with meat and milk.
Personally I wouldn't keep males from the same bloodline together with my does. So before the bucklings are about 4 months old I have them sold, given away, traded or slaughtered.
We have to keep them on a leash or in a fenced place during dry season (about 8 months a year). Therefore, I keep two different family groups of 5 does in two different spaces. Four generations now. I am a sensitive person and I hate the fighting and chasing away. This way it's bearable My experience is, the more room they have the less they argue. O, how I love rainy season, with all local goats and bucks together on the communal grounds close to the village... Goat paradise!
When there's no rainy season (shit happens) I invite a buck - to perform his good work. Not because I have a problem with males, but to keep the peace and quiet in the limited space I have. My goats are either pregnant or with kids and/or being milked. No need for a buck being around all the time.

Hi Kate, looking forward to topics and discussions that may occur this week! Since 6 years I am a (Dutch) passionate goat keeper on a poor and dry Capeverdean Island. Still feel like having a lot to learn, but a bit experienced too
Do you think your book and experience will come in handy, despite my geographical situation and with no vet on the island. (please say yes...)

Marèt
Kaza di Zaza, Brava, Cape Verde

Can anybody tell me if hibiscus tea can be made safely from all types of hibiscus?
I live on a Capeverdean island, where various types of hibiscus are growing. But I buy my dried hibiscus flowers to make juice/tea (bissap or bissabi) on the market. And that's definitely a different flowers than the ones growing everywhere around us.

Konstantinos Karoubas wrote:Thank You for writing Marijke,

Sorry to hear that your land/country is so bare...good luck with the reforestation efforts...

For us here, there is a 100 to 1 cost advantage in using seeds to reforest, as opposed to planting trees; in addition, the resulting forest is a higher quality forest.

Its not easy, and we need to be patient...the idea is to cover the earth with trees, shrubs or grasses year round...this will lower the ground temperatures and bring in more rains etc etc.

There is going to be a trial and failure period, where you try different seeds...I have listed here what has worked for me...some of these seeds may also work for your area (or maybe not)....what grows at the side of the roads, may help you.

I will be glad to send you a small bag of seeds for you to try, provided its allowed by your laws...mostly I collect seeds from the fruits we eat, I purchase seeds from locals, or from a seed supplier in Italy.

Kostas

I cannot agree more: let's safe the world, at least not stop trying!
Thanks for your offer to send some seeds. I would love to have the European almond (and others) here. I will ask the local 'delegado' of Agriculture and Environment if it's possible to receive foreign seeds. For him, I think, it must be possible anyway, because he is governmental. So if I can not receive, as private person, I will ask him to receive (he is our partner in the project).

Yes Juanita, I already have a stock of dry beans to add, too. The same system as we use here annually in June, July when sowing corn, pumpkin and beans on non-irregated lands, just before the (hopefully) wet season. Thanks for your input and the links. I will look into them first thing tomorrow (as our day is over right now Ain't life an adventure...! I get so much energy out of this reactions!