Goats

Having animals around is a lot of work, but they’re always entertaining, and learning how to take care of them and help them thrive is a rewarding hobby unto itself. But most of us, I reckon, raise them for profit. If you keep goats, you are in luck because, compared to most other livestock, there […]

Caring for animals on the homestead only looks easy to those who have never done it. Naturally, some species are easier to care for than others. Goats tend to be on the difficult end of the spectrum, and even a small herd will require lots of time, effort, and energy from you—and that’s when things

Just because our animals live outside, that doesn’t mean they can cope with extreme temperatures. For goats especially, when temperatures start to climb above 90°F / 32°C, and especially in periods of high humidity, they can start to overheat. Heat stress reduces productivity, makes them more prone to illness, and, in some cases, can even

Goats are like every other kind of livestock in that they are vulnerable to internal parasites, and worms in particular. Barber pole worm is one of the most well-known and most destructive, but no matter what sort of nasty, gribbly parasites you are dealing with, the end result is always the same if not managed:

Most of the time, baby goats are born to a doe that loves them and will care for them enough to feed them, but that doesn’t always happen. Sometimes, sadly, the mom, for whatever reason, won’t be able to take care of her little ones, and that means you’ll have to swoop in and save

All livestock species have advantages and disadvantages for homesteaders. Looking at goats, they tend to be highly productive, require less room, and are a lot cheaper to buy and keep compared to larger livestock… but they also have a reputation for being frustrating to care for… at least by some folks. Part of that reputation

In many ways, goats can be ideal livestock. They aren’t too big, are surprisingly productive, affordable, and they don’t require too much land. You can easily handle a large herd of goats yourself once you know what you’re doing. But just like every other livestock species, picking the right breed counts for a lot. If

One of the coolest things about goats is also one of the most intimidating: there are so many different goat breeds out there! It can feel like the pressure is on to make the best, most insightful, and most informed decision if you want to enjoy your time taking care of them. And to tell

No matter what sort of livestock you keep on your homestead, preparing for the end of their lives is important, and even in the case of dairy animals or pets that typically enjoy a long lifespan, being ready for the inevitable so that you can replenish your flock or herd is just a part of

It’s funny how the circle of life is pretty much the same for all mammals. You were born, you spend some time as a baby, then become an adolescent and eventually move off away from your parents to live on your own and do your own thing. Believe it or not, it’s pretty much identical