There are many situations in which you, as a goat farmer, homesteader or backyard hobbyist, may need to take care of an orphaned baby goat. Of course the most obvious would be a situation in which the mother goat has died leaving a baby to be cared for, but it’s not always sad. Other situations …
Cheese made from goats’ milk is surprisingly tasty and generally better for you than cheese made from cows’ milk. Goat milk cheese contains fats that are smaller and easier to digest, as well as less sodium and less lactose than cows’ milk cheese. In this article, we describe and discuss goats’ milk cheese and provide …
When a female goat has freshened (given birth) how soon can you begin milking her to supply your own family’s dairy needs or to improve the dairy production of your farm business? The answer to this question varies depending on a number of factors. In this article, we explore these variables and provide sound advice …
Read MoreHow Soon Should You Begin Milking Your Goat After Kidding?
When you have goats, it can be difficult to keep up with regular hoof trimming and care, but it’s important to make this chore a priority. Goats’ hooves should be trimmed a minimum of once every ten weeks. Intervals of six-to-eight weeks are preferable. Overgrown hooves can cause pain, injury and illness. Goats with painful …
Sheep and goats are both members of the Bovidae family, and they have a great deal in common. These herbivorous, hooved mammals are ruminants and share many behaviors. The meat of goats and sheep is also somewhat similar; although, the meat of mature sheep is much oilier and has a stronger taste than that of …
If you have a cow, do you have to milk it every day? What happens if you don’t? Do cows need to be milked? Will a cow die if not milked? The answer to these questions depends on a number of different factors. In this article, we explore those factors and explain what happens if …
Although sheep don’t much seem to like being in water, they do need to be kept near an ample source of fresh water. Like all animals, they need to have plenty of good, clear water to drink to survive and thrive. For reasons that may include safety, sheep seem to prefer to drink still water …
Although many people think of sheep as being stupid, the fact is, they are pretty smart. Consider the behavior of wild sheep, such as Bighorns. They are known to be crafty, elusive and difficult to hunt. Recent studies have shown that sheep are able to recognize peoples’ faces and identify multiple individual members of their …
The gestation period of a female sheep is approximately five months. Soon after breeding, there are several things you can do to determine whether or not your sheep is pregnant. Read on to learn more on how to tell if a sheep is pregnant. 7 Sheep Pregnancy Signs Things to watch on your female sheep: …
If you have sheep, you must understand the importance of hoof care. Good shepherding involves vigilance in checking hooves for excessive growth, damage, injury and signs of disease. In this article, we discuss good hoof care in sheep and provide step-by-step instructions on how to trim sheep hooves. Read on to learn more. Effective Sheep …