Keeping Goats
Goats get a a bit of bad press. It's true some they will eat your washing if you let them. It's up to you to goat proof your garden. Goats can provide you and your family with milk, cheese and meat. The milk and cheese is a much healthier option that the more traditional cows milk. They are a sociable and friendly and are very well suited to small holdings. One of the first things you need to decide is are you getting goats for milk and cheese or meat or both?
Goat House
You will need to build a goat house if you haven't already got one. It needs to be dry, well ventilated and tall enough so the goats can comfortably stand. You will access to fresh water and space for milking. Dry bedding and a dry goat proof place to put feed is essential.
Food
They do graze but don't expect them to mow a section of the field before you move them onto to the next one. Goats much prefer to pick and choose - leaves, grass and branches. Suppliment their with diet grains and nutritional feed. Make sure the water is clean - most goats will not drink dirty water
Milking Goats
Here's a video from the guys at Blue Rock Station. It's a really good example of how to care and milk your goats.
Breeds
You need to select the best breed to fit your purposes
Tennessee meat goat, South African Boer, Nubians and Kiko are suitable for meat.
LaMancha, Nubian, Toggenburg and Alpine are suitbale for dairy farming.
