What are your homesteading goals for the year?

[CapricornFarm]

I am still raising chickens, but I find it interesting that you seem to apply that chickens are more work than goats! I would have thought otherwise.

I think raising chickens and gardening go hand in hand. I make all kinds of chicken compost for my gardens. Do you use goat manure for composting? If so, how would compare goat manure to chicken manure for your compost?

I am trying to convince Dear Wife that we need a few goats, but she is not ready for that. I'm still looking for good reasons...

Goat and rabbit manure do not need composting. Also doesn't smell as bad as chicken manure. You put the manure right in the garden beds or pots with the soil.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Chicken chores took me a long time because I had so many types that I kept separately. The goats will go get the water, so I just pour water in big tubs and they drink it at will. With chickens I really don't let them run loose because we have lots of predators.

 

[Sally PB]

I am trying to convince Dear Wife that we need a few goats, but she is not ready for that. I'm still looking for good reasons...

1) They are CUTE!!!!
2) They give milk
3) They eat poison ivy and everything else
4) They are so freakin' CUTE!!! Oh, I said that already.

That said, I'd love to have them, but it's not a realistic goal, because I don't think I could keep them out of the gardens.

 

[CapricornFarm]

1) They are CUTE!!!!
2) They give milk
3) They eat poison ivy and everything else
4) They are so freakin' CUTE!!! Oh, I said that already.

That said, I'd love to have them, but it's not a realistic goal, because I don't think I could keep them out of the gardens.

Electric fences are your friend.

 

[gtaus]

Goat and rabbit manure do not need composting. Also doesn't smell as bad as chicken manure. You put the manure right in the garden beds or pots with the soil.

I used to raise rabbits, and I know their droppings can be use without composting or aging. I have never had goats. Good to know their manure is safe for immediate use as well. Thanks.

 

[gtaus]

1) They are CUTE!!!!
2) They give milk
3) They eat poison ivy and everything else
4) They are so freakin' CUTE!!! Oh, I said that already.

That said, I'd love to have them, but it's not a realistic goal, because I don't think I could keep them out of the gardens.

When I was stationed in Naples, Italy, our landlord had a milk goat. Very nice goat. One day the goat was gone so I asked our landlord what happened to the goat. Turns out the goat got out of the fenced in area and climbed up on his new car, scratching it all up! That was the end of the goat.

I don't blame him. If the goat had scratched up the cars of those living there, he would have been in real trouble paying for damages.

If I ever get a goat, I don't think it would be for milk. Dear Wife cannot drink cow's milk, but maybe goat's milk is different? Still, she has no desire to drink any milk. And, frankly, I don't drink much milk either so I don't want to have to milk a goat daily. Although, I think Brie cheese comes from goats, and we like that.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

When I was stationed in Naples, Italy, our landlord had a milk goat. Very nice goat. One day the goat was gone so I asked our landlord what happened to the goat. Turns out the goat got out of the fenced in area and climbed up on his new car, scratching it all up! That was the end of the goat.

I don't blame him. If the goat had scratched up the cars of those living there, he would have been in real trouble paying for damages.

If I ever get a goat, I don't think it would be for milk. Dear Wife cannot drink cow's milk, but maybe goat's milk is different? Still, she has no desire to drink any milk. And, frankly, I don't drink much milk either so I don't want to have to milk a goat daily. Although, I think Brie cheese comes from goats, and we like that.

I know goats milk can be given to cats, where cows milk shouldn't, and I swear I've heard the same for lactose intolerance too, but I honestly don't know

 

[CapricornFarm]

When I was stationed in Naples, Italy, our landlord had a milk goat. Very nice goat. One day the goat was gone so I asked our landlord what happened to the goat. Turns out the goat got out of the fenced in area and climbed up on his new car, scratching it all up! That was the end of the goat.

I don't blame him. If the goat had scratched up the cars of those living there, he would have been in real trouble paying for damages.

If I ever get a goat, I don't think it would be for milk. Dear Wife cannot drink cow's milk, but maybe goat's milk is different? Still, she has no desire to drink any milk. And, frankly, I don't drink much milk either so I don't want to have to milk a goat daily. Although, I think Brie cheese comes from goats, and we like that.

Yes, goats' milk is much easier to digest than cows milk. It is great to feed orphaned animals. I have Nigerian Dwarf goats. I don't milk them, I let the baby goats have the milk. Mine have multiple goat babies each time they kid. Last time, one had triplets, and 2 had quads!