Should you raise goats on your homestead? There is much to consider when deciding to raise goats on your homestead. Find out what you need to know before you begin and where to get that knowledge to be successful.
There are many benefits to having goats on your homestead. Let’s take a look at a few of the most common reasons you may want to have a few goats on your land and then talk about some fantastic bloggers that are successfully raising goats.
Goat Milk
For many people, the best reason to have a herd of goats is for fresh milk production. A reliable milking goat will produce an average of 2 1/2 to 3 quarts of fresh milk daily, over a period of 9 to 10 months.
You may feel that milking a goat sounds like way too much work and you would be crazy to start. After reading about the benefits of milk fresh from the animal and about the fantastic ways to use compostable manure in your garden, we will find that it’s not so crazy, after all. Read this article from The Homestead Lady to help you decide if goats or cows are best for your homestead.
Are you prepared to learn how to milk a goat? Jess at 104 Homestead has an excellent article titled 100 Ways to Milk a Goat. This is going to help you find all the things you need to know.
Even getting goats to take to the milking stand can be tricky. Learn to train them to be milked and make things easier for you and your animals.
Goat Breeding
In the article Raising Milk Goats, Weed ’em and Reap explains: The ONLY way to get milk from a goat is to get a female doe pregnant so she can have babies first. Each time a goat has babies this kick starts her milk production and is known as a FRESHENING. Typically, goats have their babies in the spring and then at 8 weeks you can sell the babies and enjoy milk for almost an entire year.
Are you prepared for breeding your female goats and selling the offspring each year? Learn how to prepare for baby goats.
Goat Care and Maintenance
Goats are arguably one of the most entertaining farm animals to own. Knowing how to perform the required care and maintenance is the most important first step to take. All breeds of goats need hoof care, feed for proper nutrition, and treatment for preventing worms. Learn about goat care and maintaining a healthy herd from Timber Creek Farm.
Goat hoof care is important. Like in cattle and other ruminants, goats have a cloven hoof that traps moisture, dirt, and manure. Get details on proper hoof care from 104 Homestead.
For a funny and absolutely true look at the mischief that goats can get themselves into, take a look at 9 Truths about Raising Goats from Timber Creek Farm.
These plans from Tennessee Institute of Agriculture will make a great addition to your home library and teach you what you need to know to build fencing, sheds, and milking stands.
Which Goat Breed Should You Choose?
Jumping in and purchasing goats for your property is no small decision. Read Goat Farming Basics: 5 Things You Must Consider before Getting Goats and see if you have what it takes to keep your goats healthy, safe, and fed.
Homestead goats can also provide meat, fiber, carry a pack, clear brush, or serve as a livestock companion. In their article, Homestead Goats – What You Need to Know to Get Started, Common Sense Homestead discusses the breeds to choose and how they are used.
A blogger friend Teri and her husband use their three goats to carry equipment while they backpack. I’m thinking that with training, you can also do this around the homestead.
Fitting goats into the big picture for your self-reliant life can take some planning but it is worth it. You can raise goats on your homestead and enhance your DIY lifestyle while enjoying their wonderful qualities.
