Tag: goats

The Goat That I Don’t Remember

On By debweeksIn Animals on the Farm1 Comment

Our life experiences, even those we can’t remember, play a significant role in shaping our personalities.  They help determine the things we like or dislike.  They peak our interest in certain things.

I remember spending a lot of time at my grandparents home as a child.  Until this weekend, I wasn’t aware of how much time I spent there as a child.  I remember the outhouse, that was very scary to use at night.  I remember the chicken coop and the chickens.  I remember eating oatmeal with half-n-half.  I remember my grandmother’s cooking, which was always yummy!!  I remember several things about time at my grandparents home, except I don’t remember the goat.  For a matter-of-fact, I had no idea there was ever a goat until my sister shared that information with me.

Could it be the goat that I don’t remember found its way into my psyche and that is why I have such a big desire to have a home in country with goats?  It’s a life experience I don’t remember and I find that lack of memory disappointing.

Maybe the goat that I don’t remember has nothing to do with my deep interest in goats now, but I certainly enjoy being around goats and still hope that one day I have the opportunity to raise a few goats.

An Upcoming Visit to the Farmy

On By debweeksIn Animals on the Farm, Gardening, Homesteading2 Comments

As we venture out to the world of RV ownership and travel, I still hold onto the hope that  one day things will work out for us to own our own little homestead.   We still strive to live a more self-sufficient lifestyle, by raising our own food.  We are fortunate to have the space for a garden that provides us good food and will be adding some blueberry and raspberry bushes as well as a couple apple trees this spring.  However, we don’t have the space or live in an area that allows us to raise any animals for food.  I am fortunate though, to have connected with a wonderful woman by the name of Cecilia who is living the life I hope to one day live.

I’ve written about Cecilia and her little farm before.  We’ve had the privilege to visit her farmy a couple of times.  She also raised chickens and a pig for us.  Her organic farming methods are exactly what have envisioned doing ourselves one day and I’m lucky to have her living near enough to us that we can visit, experience and learn from her.

Recently, she added to her little farm and I am experiencing a mixture of excitement and jealousy.

She is now raising GOATS!!!!!

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One of Cecilia’s goat kids.

If all goes well, the girls and I will be heading to the farmy in a couple weeks.  Hopefully the weather will cooperate.  We can enjoy the goat kids, visit the pigs, cows, chickens and dogs.  Help out a little bit around the farm and create life-long memories – because as you know, I’m quite fond of finding opportunities to create great memories.  And a side benefit is getting my farm fix.

If you also desire to have your own farm one day and would like to gain some farming experience, Cecilia offers others the opportunity to come stay at the farm for a week of experience.  Just visit her blog here for more details.

The camera will join us on our farm field trip so stay tuned for pictures and our tales from a visit to the farmy.

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Aren’t Cecilia’s new goat kids adorable?

 

 

Weeks Homestead Part 6 – Goats

On By debweeksIn Animals on the Farm, Homesteading2 Comments

Hubby and I have a growing list of animals we want to have on our little homestead – chickens, ducks, turkeys, rabbits, sheep and a pig from time-to-time.  But there is one I’m most excited about having on our little farm . . . . . GOATS!!!

I’m a bit obsessed with goats, but they will serve several purposes on our little farm.

– Milk
– Meat
– Weed control
– Entertainment

I’ve spent a fair amount of time learning about goats and the different breeds. For quite some time, my top choice has been Nubians.

They are a good dual-breed goat and while they provide less milk then some other breeds, their milk is known for its high butter-fat content.  They are also meaty, providing a good source of lean meat.

Nubians are of Middle-Eastern heritage and a very popular breed here in the U.S.  They have long floppy ears, a Roman nose and can be found in several colors and patterns.   They a very sociable, outgoing and love human contact.  They can also be very vocal, but when provided good food, plenty of water and shelter, they are relatively quiet.

My only problem with Nubians is their size.  They are large goats, which isn’t bad at all, except I think a smaller goat on our farm would be good for several personal reasons.  I just hadn’t found another breed that I was as excited about as a Nubian, until I discovered this breed.

This is a Mini Nubian.

The breed is developed by crossing a Nigerian Dwarf buck with a Nubian doe.  They are bigger than a Nigerian Dwarf, but smaller than a Nubian making them a medium-sized goat.  A Mini Nubian retains most of the traits of the Nubian breed – looks, butter-fat content, taste of the milk, and temperament.  While their size won’t provide as much meat, they still provide good lean meat.  And unlike a Nigerian Dwarf, who can be difficult to milk because of teat size, Mini Nubians have teats long enough to milk easily.

Mini Nubians can provide anywhere from 1/2 a quart up to a gallon of milk a day.  The high butterfat content of their milk means I will have just what I need for making my own cheese, yogurt and butter.

I still have a lot to learn about goats, specifically the Mini Nubian, but they are my top choice of goat breed right now.

Mini Nubian goat kid. Sooooo Cute!!!!