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Goats - A Crucial Part of Every
Self-Sufficient Homestead
Goats should be an important part of your modern homesteading. When most people think of farming, the cow usually comes to mind.
But "Bessie's" milk isn't always the best for human consumption, and cows require far more hay and grain - and produce way more milk - than most small homesteads can handle.
For the self-sufficient homestead, the goat is a far superior animal. Depending on the breed you choose, these marvelous creatures can produce up to a gallon of milk per day.
Plus, their milk is far more healthy and doesn't taste any different from cow's milk. Because the fat globules are smaller, the milk is "naturally homogenized". It lacks a fat-agglutinating protein found in cow's milk that causes the fats to stick together..
Recently, research has shown that homogenizing cow's milk increases cholesterol in the bloodstream. Milk from your nubian or la mancha won't do that.
Also, when raw, it is less likely to cause high cholesterol.
Better still, newborn infants who are lactose intolerant thrive on this wonderful milk.
A Delicious Benefit
You can also use the excess milk from your pet nubian or nigerian doe to make cheese. Yes, feta is the traditional way to make cheese, but you can also make chedder, Edom, mozarella and queso blanco.
The milk can also be used to make yogurt and even ice cream.
Also, these delightful animals can be bred up to twice a year. The extra meat they produce is called chevon and is delicious.
The meat from a young wether (a castrated billy) is similar in taste to lamb. Older does can be processed into salami or jerky.
Your Garden Will Love You For It
Each animal can produce up to a pound of manure per day. Put all that fine organic matter to good use.
The manure from your goats, along with the straw from their bedding make an excellent compost.
You'll be amazed at how fast your garden will improve!
Because it isn't as strong as cow or chicken manure, it can be safely added directly to your garden bed without burning your plants.
Cause They Got Personality
These are gentle, friendly animals who, on the whole, are excellent with children.
One Word of Caution
Because they are such sociable animals, these critters do not like being left alone. A doe left on her own will become depressed and will produce less milk.
A billy left alone will likely become ornery, so be sure to provide companions for your goats and give them plenty of love.
More Links About These Great Animals
Learn more about breeds of goats to decide which type is right for you.
Tips on keeping one (or two) in your urban backyard.
Learn how to care for these wonderful milkers.
Make 'em happy with the right feeder.
When it's kidding time, be prepared.
Learn essential milking tips.
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