This post is so overdue! But, I wanted to write up my stance on REAL milk (versus that nasty crap you find in the store), and the reason we need a dairy animal in the first place before I introduced everyone to sweet little Goatie.
Isn’t she precious? This is our Nigerian dwarf goat we are borrowing from our local Weston A. Price Foundation chapter leader. She came to us as “Hope,” but… I just couldn’t bring myself to call her that. (Sorry, Ken!) Just didn’t quite seem like a name fit for a smelly little animal that eats our table scraps and and leaves tiny (but numerous) poop pellets under our house.
Um. Yeah.
So, she is a goat of many names: Goatie, Goatalina, Goatamus Minimus… take your pick.
Goatie hard at work, mowing the "lawn"
We LOVE Goatie. She, on the other hand, is quite wary of PH and I still. At first, if she found herself within a 10-yard radius of either of us, she would scurry away as quickly as possible, often running to the shelter of one of her “caves.”
Under-the-truck cave...
Under-the-house cave...
Even if it meant running directly past one of us to get there. Like, within arm’s reach. Hilarious. Good thing there aren’t many serious predators around here.
Mid-sprint. Right next to me. Not the brightest little bulb in the box, that Goatie.
But as time went on, and more treats were offered her way by the hands of these curious two-leggeds, Goatie began allowing us to befriend her more and more. She now walks up to us if she suspects a good melon rind or broccoli stalk awaits her.
Goatie was loaned to us so that we might get a feel for what goat ownership is like, before taking the plunge into buying and breeding them for milk. Since goats can be hazardously difficult to keep fenced into your property (there is an old saying that goes something like, “If a fence can’t hold water, it can’t hold a goat” — haha!) that was a concern we definitely were interested in alleviating with a test-run. Goats can also be difficult to handle and quite stubborn.
So far, Goatie has definitely passed the test. She never pushes our fencing, and when we do manage to get our hands on her, she is easy to handle.
Goatie will be headed back to her original herd soon for a while to be bred — and then hopefully, in 5 months or so, a tiny little Goatie kid might arrive! And then she will be not merely a lawnmower and a source of endless entertainment, but a provider of nourishing, fresh, real milk!
Since we’re so convinced in our love for goatkind now, we are currently looking for additional dairy goats to actually purchase ourselves. We desperately want to be able to provide for ourselves and our friends real, raw milk.
We’re also considering another dairy animal option — sheep! I think I’ll be putting up another post soon about why they can be a great choice for home milkers. And if we do manage to get a couple, I’ll be sure to introduce our fuzzy little flock to everyone as well!
"yay...friends that don't want to pet me!"
Are you considering getting dairy animals for your family? Or if you already have them, what made you decide on your milker-of-choice?
{This post is being shared with the Homestead Barn Hop!}
I’d love to have a goat for milk. I’ve been drinking raw goat milk from a local farm for several years. I imagine the neighboorhood association might object though. One day I’ll have a place for one…
How cute! I would love to get into having chickens and goats but don’t nearly have enough land.
Dave and Kathy, maybe you might have a friend with a little bit of property? Sometimes if you can find a like-minded family you can just create a mini herd-share of your own! Or you could “board” your animal at someone’s property. You could even try putting up a craigslist ad to find someone!
Our goal is to get 5 acres in the next 2 years and have dairy goats. Unfortunately, I’m allergic to all milk (yes, even raw goat milk) but I’d like for my children and husband to have the benefit of raw milk. I love goats and had them as a teenager. Milking a goat takes less then 10 minutes once you both get the hang of it. I love a goat’s personality! They’re much like dogs. Good luck with your adventure!
Thanks, Becky! Wow 10 minutes sounds doable! I’m so excited. Good luck reaching your goal as well!
She’s so cute! This makes we want one even more!
is there a reason you would go with goat’s milk over cow’s milk?
Because goats are smaller and easier to keep in your back yard?
Yep, good point Tiffany. As far as keeping the animals themselves, goats are easier and require less space simply due to their size. I would love to have a cow though! Would be much easier to milk one cow versus several goats every day.
There are differences in the milk, too. Some people prefer goats’ milk as it can be easier to digest — it has almost no casein, and significantly less lactose than cow milk. It’s also naturally homogenized, but that can be an inconvenience if you actually WANT the cream separate. Hmm, maybe I should write up a post about all this! I’d like to compare sheep’s milk as well…
OMG!!! Of course you have a goat (you were warned J)!! Another reason why I love you, Em!
Bahaha! love you, Lils! 😉
Cutie for sure! I’m trying to get my own fencing up so I can bring home our new goat, Fiona Bleu, cute little Kinder. Raw milk is a huge priority for us and since we lost our local source for raw goat milk, I’ve decided I need to take the plunge (although we have been preparing and mentoring under someone to do this for the last 2.5 years!).
Oh wow, you’ll be much better prepared than us! How exciting! I’ll have to look for an introduction to Fiona on your blog soon! 🙂
Hi! I came over from the barn hop….. We also have nigerian dwarf dairy goats and love them!! Our first doe is to kid within the next two weeks, then we will also have frsh milk! I love our little goats and couldn’t imagine our homestead without them! You can see picture of ours at my blog http://www.srkindredspirits.blogspot.com
Hi, Rhoda! Thanks so much for stopping by! Oh my goodness, your goaties are sooo adorable. You must be SO excited to have one in milk soon!
Hi Goatie is very cute I too found you through barn hop. We are at the point of collect info to make our decision between goat and cow, and then which breed.
Oh I meant to say I love butter believer! I could never eat margarine. 😀
YEAH! Haha, that stuff is so awful, it should be outlawed instead of our healthy raw milk, huh??
That’s exciting that you’re getting ready to have dairy animals soon. You know, if I had the space, plus a trailer, and a bull/stud nearby, I’d go with a cow, personally! Or, have you heard of/seen miniature cows? They make mini Jerseys now — aah! I want!
Oh, gosh, she is so cute! What a great idea–trying out goat ownership before actually buying one.
Aw, Goatie is blushing. 😀 Yeah, we feel totally lucky to get the chance to have a goat test-drive! I highly recommend it!
Visiting from the barn hop!
My sister is allergic to dairy (cow). I have been trying to convince her to try goat milk and goat cheese. I am sending her a link to your blog. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Jenn! Oh yeah I’ve heard of lots of people with dairy allergies tolerating goat milk just fine! Try to find some fresh, if you can — goats’ milk from the store isn’t all that great. Cheese is pretty fail-safe though!