Confession time: I absolutely love goats. I think they are, by far, the cutest farm animals, and I make a point to visit my friend’s family farm whenever I get the chance. I also try to bum fresh goat’s milk from her mom to make soap with, because I love how soft it makes your skin. As much as I would love to have my own goats, it’s a lot of work! I learned that by spending a few days with her. So, being the lazy person that I am, I don’t think having goats is for me (I’m more of a cat lady.) But, if you are thinking of raising your own goats on a farm, or just in your backyard, I encourage you to do so! They are great for homesteaders, and will always provide you with milk (and entertainment). Check out these tips by Brent Zimmerman at Mother Earth News for tips on keeping goats happy and healthy:
-Evaluate your space- make sure you have room for goat pen, goat house, and storage space for food and other supplies.
-Make sure the goats have areas with sun and shade.
-Remove any cyanogenic plants like milkweed, ferns, and mountain laurel. These are poisonous to goats.
-Consider the maximum number of goats that you can have before building the goat house and creating the goat pen.