Why goats?

sisterpine · #1 12/10/06, 05:01 PM

I always read the different livestock forums for I dont know why...wishful thinking I guess. Just wondering after looking at all the preg goat photos why Goats? What do you do with them - sell their milk, sell them for meat etc. Thanks, sis

**mygoat** · #2 12/10/06, 05:13 PM

Why goats? Because they make great friends, lol.

You can sell thier milk, cashmere, kids, and milk products. You can eat thier meat and drink thier milk, both of which are very healthy and tasty. They take up less space than most other breeds of livestock, are friendly and outgoing, and are pretty clean animals overall. They are intellegent and curious. Sometimes they astound you with thier thinking skills, and other times you wonder how an animal can be so thoughtless. Oh, and warning : They're addicting! I was only supposed to have one goat... Now i've got 9, and the end is nowhere in sight!

DocM · #3 12/10/06, 05:14 PM

Smarter than cows, not as hard to care for/transport. Prefer goat's milk to cows for drinking and cheesemaking.

AllWolf · #4 12/10/06, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sisterpine

I always read the different livestock forums for I dont know why...wishful thinking I guess. Just wondering after looking at all the preg goat photos why Goats? What do you do with them - sell their milk, sell them for meat etc. Thanks, sis

Why goats you ask.. Well reason we have them is because they are great for pets. They keep our yard mowed down. Give great tasting milk for our family. Help make you feel better when down and out. Enjoy them for the heck of it.

topside1 · #5 12/10/06, 05:48 PM

Tons of individual personality, intelligent, manageable, entertaining, and tasty. I also raise steers, no comparison, goats are college bound, steers well, need I say more. I didn't think so...

dezeeuwgoats · #6 12/10/06, 06:01 PM

WHY GOATS?

I loved horses as a girl - typical horse-crazy individual. Nobody anywhere could have convinced me I'd ever fall in love with another animal like I fell for horses. Until...............goats, lol.

My youngest son has a severe milk allergy - that's what started it. Now, it is just a fine excuse for owning goats. I've got twelve nubians and a boer...no wait! Just had kids - make that fifteen nubians.

Goats are small and easier to handle - they aren't scary, and they aren't going to hurt you. I mean, it doesn't feel GOOD to get stepped on, but a goat isn't going to break any toes. I've also never been kicked by a goat - not to say one won't kick while milking, but I mean just to 'get' you. My children can go into the goat pens unchaparoned, I'm not worried. I've not had any biters either - although babies will nibble if you let them.

Goat intelligence? Mine aren't the brightest - but they don't need to be. They are loving and sweet, gentle creature as adults. My nubians are regal - YES, regal! As youngsters they are silly creatures - and worthwhile having around just for the entertainment value. We usually keep lawn chairs by the pens when we've got babies. They'll make you laugh - honest. No matter how bad your day was!

Useful. I've made yogurt, butter, cheese, and ice-cream from goat's milk. It's the only way my youngest can enjoy those items. My other kids - who aren't allergic, still have much less congestion drinking goat's milk, than cow's milk. We also have tried goat meat twice - and it is delicious. It is a very healthy meat - low in calories, and low in fat in comparison to other meats.

That's why for me!
Niki

Terre d'Esprit · #7 12/10/06, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dezeeuwgoats

WHY GOATS?

I loved horses as a girl - typical horse-crazy individual. Nobody anywhere could have convinced me I'd ever fall in love with another animal like I fell for horses. Until...............goats, lol.

They'll make you laugh - honest. No matter how bad your day was!

What she said! :baby04:

I love 'em!

ozark_jewels · #8 12/10/06, 06:16 PM

The practical reasons?? They make great milk and the meat is excellent. You can sell replacement breeding stock. You can sell the milk to individuals if thats legal in your state and there are also milk plants that buy bulk goat milk. You can sell the wethers for slaughter and there is a pretty good market for that. They supply our family with milk and meat and we also sell our milk to a milk plant. We sell excess milkers and there always seems to be a market for them.
The reasons that I like the best?? They are just plain FUN. They make great companions, friends, and confidants(and they *never* tell

). They are great entertainment. They are relaxing and good therapy. Oh, and *very* addictive....

BasicLiving · #9 12/10/06, 06:27 PM

I don't currently own goats - but goats will be the first animal I get once we finally get ot our homestead full time! My parents have always had goats, and I just love them. So sweet, funny, and down right enjoyable.

One time my husband and I were visiting my parents, and one of thier goats had 2 kids. The mother abandoned one of them. My parents live in Georgia, and it was hot as the dickens that day. My mom looked at the baby and said "Well, she's not going to make it. There's something wrong with her." I burst into tears. She said "Well, let's bring it inside where it's cool. We'll put it in a box. It's not going to make it, but it can die comfortably." So we took it inside. I still don't know whether it was male or female. But that night we all went to bed and I woke in the middle of the night wondering whether that baby was still alive. So I snuck in the room with it and peeked in the box. It let out a little "eeeeeeeehhhh". So I picked it up and sat in a rocker and fed it a bottle. It drank just a little and fell asleep. I was so tired, I tried to put it back in the box. But everytime I stood up, it cried "eeeeeeeehhhh". So I would sit in the rocker and rock it. Finally I was exhausted. I knew I couldn't put it down or it would cry. So I stood up and walked very quietly to the bedroom. I laid it down in the bed and crawled in next to it. About then my husband woke up and said "Don't tell me I'm sleeping with a goat tonight!" I said "Hush. You'll wake it." And we all slept very peacefully all night until about day break. When I was awakened by "eeeeeeehhhh" and turned to see the baby goat with it's face right in my husband's face - and my husband's eyes as big as saucers! Ha! That little goat wouldn't let me put it down for the next 2 days. It died very peacefully. But it still makes me sad.

Goats have a way of wrapping around your heart. I've always been around them - but can't wait to have some of my own! And even today I can break the tension around my husband. When he says "You left the butter out again" I'll say "Well, you slept with a goat" and he'll start laughing.

Penny

sisterpine · #10 12/11/06, 08:25 AM

Thank you for all of the thoughtful answers! I always wondered and now i do not LOL. Still dont know if goats will ever bless our sted since we dont eat much meat besides fowl nor do we drink mild. But I expect if I found a steady market for meat I might try these little animals, they have the most beautiful faces! thanks again, sis