Goats, goats, and more goats…
When you think about homesteading lots of things come to mind. Maybe the first thing you think of are chickens! Afterall, they poop breakfast. What a great superpower to have! Or maybe you imagine a pasture full of cows. We do love our moo babies! But have you considered getting a couple of goats? Homesteading with goats has become very popular but it’s not always the first thing new homesteaders consider. You may be surprised to learn that goats can meet a lot of your homesteading needs in one really cute, although at times a rambunctious package!
What makes goats such a great option for homesteaders?
Want the best “bang for your buck”? (Get it? Bang for your BUCK haha.) Goats do just that. They can provide meat for the table and are an amazing milk option; especially for folks who can’t tolerate cow’s milk. When it comes to self sufficiency, goats provide all you need in the way of protein for essential survival. They also have short gestation periods and typically have multiple births. Goats require far less living space than cows and are happy in groups as small as two so there is no need for a large herd. Generally speaking, you can keep between six to eight goats per acre of land which makes them perfect for smaller homesteads. And you aren’t limited to just milk and meat. Watch a few YouTube videos and you’ll be making goat cheese, soap, facial creams, candles, and more. Plus goats make fantastic lawn mowers and can clear brush better than most brush hogs!
Nigerian Dwarfs
Doodle is our bottle baby! He was one of three kids born to my absolute favorite Doe, Cassie. Unfortunately, a predator got to his mama, brother and sister leaving him all alone. We were devastated! But Doodle is quite amazing! He follows us around like a little puppy dog and practically jumps into our arms now!
There are several options when it comes to breeds to decide on but we just love our Nigerian Dwarfs. They are considered excellent milk goats by many, especially for homesteaders, due to their high milk butterfat content making it ideal for making cheese, yogurt, and other creamy dairy products.
Here, you can see our two Nigerian Dwarf Bucks. The black and white guy in the right pic is Bucky and he throws some beautiful babies. The tan colored young man on the left is Lenny. He looks just like his daddy who is no longer with us but he has also produces some great looking kids. The young lady in the middle is Daisy and she is one of the best mamas we have ever had. Her mama was Cassie so she is very special to us!
The small size of Nigerian Dwarfs make them easier for new livestock owners to handle and manage, and they require less space and food compared to larger breeds. They are also known for being playful, affectionate, and having personalities that are a joy to be around. These goats love their people once they get to know you and will happily follow you around the farm or lay and graze by your side while you’re relaxing. You can even teach them to wear a harness and go hiking with you in much the same way that you can train a dog.
Nubians
Okay, so I just said how great Nigerians Dwarfs are but that doesn’t mean Nubians aren’t just as amazing! That’s right. Nubians are known for being gentle, docile, and affectionate, making them wonderful companions, especially for families with children or those looking for pets.
Nubians also produce milk with a high butterfat and protein content, which is rich, sweet, and excellent for making cheese, butter, and yogurt. Like the Nigerian Dwarfs, their milk is also often better tolerated by people with cow’s milk allergies.
While they are known as a dairy breed, Nubians can also be raised for meat, making them a versatile choice for homesteads. They are resilient and can thrive in various climates, and Nubians are known to have good maternal instincts, often giving birth to multiple healthy kids at a time. Their adaptability allows for a longer breeding season, meaning they can produce milk and kids more frequently throughout the year.
Right now we have two wonderful mama Nubian does, Cinnamon and Holly! Both will be giving us new kids in just a few months! On the left Cinnamon is milking one of her babies while on the right, you can see Randy and Sandy in the picture behind their mama, Holly.
Nubians are not only larger, but they also sport those long, floppy ears that make them so darned cute! Above is one of our wethers and on the right you see our teenagers playing with one of the younger Nigerian Dwarfs.
Where are all the Buffalo?