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.
Cucumbers are one of the most popular veggies in the world. Used in all kinds of salads, appetizers, and cultural dishes, it is hard to imagine cuisine without these cool, crisp staples. But enough about us, how about our goats? Can goats enjoy all sorts of foods, but do they enjoy cucumbers as well? Yes, … Read more
If you have goats, you already know that they can be enthusiastic if picky eaters. They may turn their noses up at choice hay one minute only to happily chow down on tree bark the next. It seems like there is no rhyme or reason to what they will or won’t eat sometimes! But some … Read more
Most goat owners already know that the members of their herd will eat all sorts of plant matter, from grasses and hay to leaves and vegetables, fruits, and seemingly everything in between. However, when it comes to more exotic offerings owners are justified in being cautious, even when it comes to items that we take … Read more
To those that don’t keep them, goats have a reputation for eating anything. This is not far from the truth! As herbivores, goats will nibble on just about any kind of vegetation they come across. This includes twigs, leaves, bark and yes, even fruit. How about apples? Can goats eat apples? Yes, goats can eat … Read more
Making the decision to officially become a goat farmer is an exciting moment for many homesteaders. A few seconds later reality sets in, and you have to actually get to work figuring out how to actually buy and raise the goat herd. Keeping goats, be they dairy, meat, fiber, or brush clearers is not rocket … Read more
Goat fencing is the only downside to keeping goats – and it can be a huge one, fellow homesteaders. I thought I armed myself with enough knowledge to prepare myself for the escape artist antics of goats, but I was oh so wrong. Doing your due diligence when getting ready to keep goats will definitely … Read more
Caring for fiber goats is a fun and profitable way to have a homestead. Not only do they produce high-quality fiber, but they’re also entertaining animals that can provide plenty of laughs. And let’s not forget how beautiful that fiber is! Not all fiber goats produce cashmere – some produce mohair – but cashmere in … Read more
Feeding goats properly is essential to the overall health of the herd, and to the success of any meat goat, dairy goat, or fiber goat homesteading operation. Goats are ruminants, so they have four stomach chambers. When they are eating the wrong type of food, too much of the right kind, or introduce feed changes … Read more
Pygora goats are a relatively new addition to the fiber goat industry. They were developed in the United States during the 1980s – and became hugely popular with keepers both large and small. These miniature goats are one of the smallest of all 300 or so goat breeds on the planet and are the smallest … Read more
Have you ever heard of Kinder goats? Most folks have not, and that is a true shame. This small dual purpose goat breed has a lot to offer self-reliant families on homesteads both large and small. Kinder goats are a miniature to small size type of goat that not only makes an excellent “farm pet” … Read more
Pygmy goats are a miniature breed that is closely related to the Nigerian Dwarf goat. In fact, when this small stature meat goat arrived in the United States, it took quite a while for zookeepers to realize they actually possessed a herd comprised of two distinct breeds instead of just one. This miniature goat breed … Read more
Nigerian dwarf goats are an ideal livestock to keep on homesteads both large and small. A small stature or “mini goat” of this type can even be kept on a suburban homestead, using a dog box as a shelter and the fenced-in backyard as its home. Just because Nigerian dwarf goats are easy keepers on … Read more
Baby goats are about the cutest little things you will ever have romping about in the barnyard. They are bundles of energy and want to investigate every single new sight, sound, and smell. The days and weeks after the new kids arrive are full of fun, but getting them here isn’t always easy. Goat does … Read more
It is one of the most dreaded things that every goat owner fears: bloat. Bloat is a dangerous condition that can affect goats of all ages where the rumen becomes bloated with trapped gas from the digestion of food. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but in most cases, if the affected goat … Read more
After calculating our expenses, and adding up how much milk we get per week, see if it has been worth it for us to have our own milking goats…
I’ve tried to do everything right, but for some reason our milk goat has been giving less and less milk, to the point that yesterday I thought she was completely dried up. What I surprise I got this evening though, and what a relief to finally know what the problem has been!