Once we swore to never have goats, then we were manipulated by a 5 year old- now we have more than we can count. Ha! Our middle child NEEDED one, but then that one needed a buddy, then two more came along, then we got some from a friend, and Dad need fainters for comedic relief, and Mom wanted babies so the boys arrived. Goat math. (Remember chickens were the gateway animal?!) We started with Nigerian Dwarfs because of their size, making them easier to handle by our littles..then our views and goals changed.
We did know one thing, we were after goat milk. Whether for drinking & cheesemaking, bottle feeding, or soap making- we wanted the milk. Nigerian Dwarf milk has one of the sweetest, and most butterfat content than almost any other goats. As we started milk, we quickly realized that we wanted more milk return than what we were getting. So we brought in Nubian, Saanen, and Oberhalsi goats. They have a calmer personality and didn't seem to challenge any fences, like their dwarf friends. We use the milk to make our goat milk soap and help feed any bottle babies. And with some extra surplus, we've even made ice cream! Once we started experimenting with goats grazing with the sheep around our yard, the lightbulb took off. Some of our Nigerian dwarfs joined the grazing mix, while other naughty ones stayed behind. After a while, we realized we liked different qualities of different breeds. Size & color of Boers, milk production of Nubians and Oberhalsi, grazing & parasite resistance like Spanish & Kiko and now our herd is a very diverse mixture! Now it seems like WHY NOT goats! Not only do they provide milk, meat, but they are fantastic grazers! So much that we're actually Goats On The Go Peoria! These munching machines are great for tackling out of control poison ivy, invasive honeysuckle, overgrown weeds & hard to reach places of your property- all without using heavy machinery or toxic chemicals. Interested to see what our goats can do for you? CLICK HERE to send us a message for your grazing needs!
Goats are like most livestock- they need a buddy. You should get a minimum of two, but if you ask our middle kid, more is always better. Does should be separated from bucks, so we'd recommend at least two does, or wethers (castrated males) for companions. They do not require a heat source during winter months when properly acclimated. They need a shelter to get out of the wind and weather. Fresh water always and shade for the summer heat. They also need fresh grass or hay to keep their ruminate bellies working top notch, and goat specific grain & minerals to keep them healthy. Goats have rumens, which acts like a big fermentation vat. Fermentation is the digestion of food in the absence of oxygen. Bacteria and protozoa in the rumen supply enzymes to break down the fiber in the goats feed. That helps also generate heat and energy. When a goat is happy and healthy, you can see that they are chewing cud because rumination is an essential part of how goats digest food. Google recommends a 3 foot fence, but I would say now, it depends on the goat! Most of our goats are respectful but even our big goats don't challenge any fence, while others are more of the liquid type- if they can go over it, under it, through it- they will! Knowing your goals for your homestead will help you choose the right breed of goat. Previously, we had sold our spring kids, but now they are very much needed on our grazing jobs in the spring, summer and early fall. If you're still interested in adding to your herd, consider us in the fall!