If you own goats, chances are you have probably observed them eating some pretty questionable things by now. At least, questionable by our standards. Tree bark, twigs, and other seemingly inedible things are all on the menu for goats, but perhaps the most nerve-racking and questionable of them all are thorns, prickles, and spines on …
There are few things cuter than the antics of goats. They love to goof around climbing trees, jumping on each other, or just hopping about playfully. But cuter still is when they find a tasty treat to eat that gets the lips wobbling. They only eat fresh food and love anything sweet and tasty. So, …
Do not be fooled by goats’ willingness to consume anything and everything in reach. There are things that are not good for their health. So, can goats eat apples? Yes, goats can eat apples. But the apples need to be sliced into small pieces that are easy to chew and digest and should only be …
Goat owners know that their animals will eat just about anything they take a liking to. Some of their usual menu items are positively inedible to our sensibilities, including bark and even whole branches off trees. Put perhaps the most disturbing to watch is when your goats tuck into a spiny, thorny plant. Even thinking …
First off, a phonetic lesson. The word boer is pronounced: Bo sounds like BOO (with the long oo), and the r is pronounced the same as the first letter r as in red. The e is silent. The word boer is an Afrikaans word taken from the first Dutch settlers to land in the Cape. …
I often get questions about the diets of various animals, and, specifically, “Is what I am giving my animals safe or toxic?” This is a very serious concern for all homesteaders and pet owners, because nobody wants to see their beloved animals suffer. If your animal does ingest something poisonous, you will want to know …
We’ve all heard the saying that goats will eat anything. Only, it simply isn’t true. You won’t actually see a billy goat eating a tin can; it’s just a myth. Goats don’t really eat those things. In reality, goats can be surprisingly picky eaters, which generally helps protect them from eating anything poisonous or dangerous. …
If you have goats on your homestead, you’ve likely wondered about how difficult it might be to breed them and to deal with a pregnant doe. Luckily, all it takes is a little bit of extra attention and care to make sure your pregnant does are well cared for. Giving them access to plenty of …
That is the question! When you have a goat herd for the purpose of milking, you will need kids. Without kids, your does will not produce milk. Simple as that. In order to get kids, you’ll need to breed your does. A decision will need to be made of whether or not to keep your …
Goats can fall into two categories: those that are polled and those that are not. A polled goat is naturally born without horns, a recessive trait. These babies have a soft spot on their heads where the horns would otherwise be. When your kids are born with horns you need to consider disbudding. Usually, it’s best to disbud …
