Goats are one of the easiest animals to raise on the homestead. They’re smaller than other livestock, they’re safe for children, they give lots of milk, they can be a good source of mean, and they’re just fun to have around.
Learn everything about goats, from how to raise them, problems that may arise, hoof care, dealing with a pregnant goat and much, much more.
If you want to do anything with your goats besides keep a couple around as pets, you’ve got to understand breeding. Sometimes confusing, rarely straightforward, and occasionally harrowing, breeding any livestock is a skillset unto itself, and goats particularly have a reputation as being unruly when it comes to making babies. The bottom line is … Read more
Ask anyone who has kept goats for any length of time, and they will tell you: keeping your goats in place and on your property is a lot easier said than done. The fact of the matter is that goats are excellent escape artists, or jailbreakers as I like to call them, and as a … Read more
If you decided to embark on a lifestyle of keeping livestock, one of the most important things to figure out is what size of animals you are comfortable with. Different species can run the gamut from truly tiny, like chickens, to humongous like horses. The size of an animal affects how much room it needs, … Read more
If you’ve owned goats for any length of time, you already know how mischievous, and destructive, they can be if they aren’t kept engaged and entertained. I would go so far as to say that 90% of breakouts are due to boredom and boredom alone. It might seem like an impossible task trying to keep … Read more
If you keep dairy goats, you already know that milking is an essential task. But for many goat-owning homesteaders, providing a sustainable source of fresh, nutritious milk for consumption is quite a chore! Goats are rarely cooperative, and milking is a surprisingly tricky skill. But, with the right gear and supplies on hand, you can … Read more
If you have goats, you have probably felt the temptation to give them a little taste of the foods you enjoy. But, there is just one issue: goats are strictly herbivores, and eat only plant matter once they reach maturity. But wait! Chocolate is technically made from plants. It is made from cocoa, and cocoa … Read more
Everyone knows that goats are eating machines, right? Well, not exactly. Goats do have big appetites, but as any long-time owner will tell you they can be pretty finicky when it comes to their diet. Goats are not grazers like sheep or cows. Goats are browsers, and that means they like to eat a little … Read more
If you own goats, you know that they are usually keen to try the food of other animals on your farm or homestead. Things like chicken feed and dog food, however, are bad for them since this food contains meat. However, horses are also herbivores just like goats, and their feed does not contain any … Read more
Goats are popular thought to be animals that will eat just about anything. While it is true that they often have quite an appetite for their size, the reality is that they are far more discerning when it comes to food than most people realize. Goats are surprisingly picky eaters, and some things that you’d … Read more
It is a scene that all long time goat owners know entirely too well. Left unsupervised, or after a lucky escape attempt, your beloved goats managed to Chow down on your prized ornamental flowers or shrubs. All that work, care and effort wasted! It’s enough to make a person crazy. But, it’s not so bad, … Read more
Goats live mostly on a diet of hay, grass, bark, silage and similar plant matter, but they will eat a surprising variety of vegetables, including some that you might not expect. Goats need vegetables to round out their diet and get nutrients that they may not get out of their usual food or get in … Read more
Goats are herbivores that eat a wide variety of plant matter, including grasses, leaves and even some produce in the form of fruit and veggies. But not all things, however wholesome they are for us, are safe for animals. Grapes are one good example. But are grapes harmful to goats? Can goats eat grapes safely? … Read more
Goats, being herbivores, can eat all sorts of plant matter, including grasses, hay, leaves, silage, vegetables, and more. Grains also fall into the category of plant matter, but goats generally don’t want to eat too many of those. But how about rice? Can goats eat rice? Yes, goats can eat rice safely. Rice is not … Read more
If you own goats, you already know that your goats are pretty adventurous eaters. They might be herbivores, but it seems like they will try to steal a little food from any other animals in the area, and are often more than interested in trying any food that you are eating. Take dog food for … Read more
If you are a goat owner who also has chickens on your property, you have certainly noticed that chickens are reprobate food thieves, and will happily steal some feed from any of the other animals that they can reach. You might also think that turnabout is fair play, and perhaps your goats might like a … Read more
If you want goats, you already know that they eat all sorts of plants, and particularly grass and hay. But they also eat a variety of vegetables, though they like some a lot more than others. How about cabbage? Cabbage is often thought of as one of the healthiest leafy vegetables around and seems like … Read more