I'm an organized person and like the separate cats... But, is it confusing? We could always consolidate these down to a few forums and Sticky the posts. Let me know. I don't have a problem with the format but just want to make sure all of you like it too. melbo
I think it works out pretty well. There may be some that could be combined but I think things like the reading room wouldnt really fit into other areas since long articles like that may not be added in a survival discussion page and haveing a few seperate areas for different thing that way helps kind of like Im not sure I would figure a lot of the farming and such posts that I make in back to basics would fit in general survival discussion. Realy I think the best way to find out on this would be to ask the membership if THEY find it confuseing, overwhelming, hard to navigate, easy to find the specific things that intrest them, ideal, or what ever. We have added them and been here getting used to them but the folks that are the general members use it just as much and I figure it is for them as much as for us so it may be good to post in a open area of the forum and see what the rest of the users think and go from there.
Thanks. All of Survival is Open Forum. No access restrictions here at all. I guess that most everything can go into General Survival and be recategorized from there as needed.
Oh, oops... I thought this was somplace else, I had found it through the unread posts and thought it was in admin section.
FWIW: Us regulars have figured it out pretty well. I can see no need for a change just now. The newer members should be able to drive this a bit by either speaking up or by posting things that don't fit any existing catagory. We should be able to see if a catagory is getting too crowded by posts that might be best subdivided. Then expand as needed. I'd really like to see the thinkiing of ALL members, there are some reading, lurking (or whatever) that have ideas and opinions we should see, topics bearing discussions and thought. IMHO, anyway.
Thanks ghrit. What I like about the format is that we can pretty well fine tune topics instead of having to wade through 100 posts to find the one on "Tattooing Goats, Post SHTF". Was just a thought and I agree to leave it alone and l;et some more New Mebers speak up.
Tattooing Goats Successfully Tattooing Goats BrownboerBrownboer Tattooing is not a difficult procedure, although it can be messy. If you are raising registered goats, or want to permanently identify your animals, tattoo identification is the way to go. There are several sizes of tattoo guns, the 3/8" being the most common used in goats. If you have an older tattoo gun - check to make sure the numbers all hit the pad evenly. The older numbers have thicker pins in them then the newer ones and make a more legible tattoo. Also spend the extra money for one with a rotating head. This allows you to keep your herd prefix on one side, and change the ID number on the other. Tattoo outfits can be purchased from any place that sells livestock supplies - Jeffers, Nasco, Caprine Supply, and probably your local feed or ranch store. First thing is to figure out your tattoos. For Boer goats the right ear is the herd prefix. You must register your herd prefix with each association. The left ear tells the year the goat was born and the ID number of the goat. Be sure to get these correct. When you show or sell a goat the tattoo must match the registration papers. Each year has a different letter. The ABGA is using "M" for all kids born in the year 2000, "N" for 2001 and "P for 2002. So if you are designating your kids 1,2,3 and so on the first kid of this year would be tattooed in the left ear "M1" or "M01" or "M001" depending how you have your numbering scheme set up. Gather all your equipment. Tattoo gun, digits (remember a number 11 needs 2 "1" digits), ink (roll on green seems to be the most popular), 409 or similar to clean the ears, rags, rubbing alcohol or Listerine (to disinfect the digits between use), and your list of numbers. Index cards can also be helpful - you can tattoo the card to make sure you have the digits going the correct direction. Then put the animal's name or number, sex, & description on the card and you can fill out registration papers from the card. Clean & dry the animal's ears with 409. 409 will remove the grease & oils that are built up on the skin. Clean you digits with alcohol or Listerine, place them securely in the gun. Tattoo an index card or paper to make sure you have the right numbers in the right order. Tattoos can't be undone. Secure the animal well. We tattoo ours on the trimming stand. If you must hold the goat, straddle it, and pick the front legs off the ground a little to keep control. Remember the left ear is the goats left ear, not yours. So if you are facing the goats head, the left ear will be on the right. Examine the ear. Look for the large veins, try to place your tattoo between the veins, far enough down on the ear that the tag (if used) will not cover it, and high enough up to be out of the hair. Liberally apply ink to the ear. Position the tattoo gun on the ear and mash firmly. The goat will holler, but it only stings for a minute. Reapply ink over the holes. If you use the paste, you might want to rub the ink in the wholes with a toothbrush. Wipe off the excess ink. Repeat on the other ear. Tattoo the right ear with your herd prefix, and the animal's number on the left. If your goats haven't been vaccinated you may want to consider giving a tetanus antitoxin being that you are puncturing the skin. Prepare for everyone to turn green. Goats seem to have to show their war wounds to each other. Wear old clothes, and keep plenty of rags around. Wash ink of your hands before it dries. Liquid dish soap removes it pretty well.
OK, Back on topic here I think the forums as they are are fine. As a total newbie to the preparations and survival, I actully like them broken out, makes it easier to find specifics without have to do a search. Ryan
No . melbo...10 is not too much...speaking as someone who lost all her books and info..I like the way it is broken down and easy to navigate..... Besides as my grandmother always said "It if ain't broke, don't fix it".. Thanks for all the help!
If I did anything to it, it would be to combine the food and medicine categories, and tactics, gear and equipment. That would leave 8.
