About the Goats
They said to us, “Why would you want goats?... they are always getting into trouble…always trying to escape.” The truth is, I can’t explain it. I have just always wanted goats.
We did the research and determined the best breed for our farm would be Nubian. If you read about Nubian goats online, you’ll find that their benefits include high milk production, adaptability to a variety of climates, and a great personality. But, you’ll also read that they can be loud, high-maintenance creatures. (Side note: While they are not quiet, I actually find their noises to be quite charming. However, we did build the barn a distance from our house just in case!) For our farm, high milk production is a benefit because we plan to use the goats’ milk for cheese and skincare products.
Ultimately, though, it’s all about personality. Nubians are friendly and outgoing, seeking us out and asking for us to pet them. We happily oblige, and their tails wag when we give them attention, just like a dog’s tail. They are highly intelligent and great communicators. They haven’t tried to escape yet (if you’re superstitious, please knock on wood along with me when you read that statement).
More specifically, let’s discuss our goats. Meet Porsche (the little one with the white face), Blitz (the white and gray one), and Belle (the black one). Porsche is a year younger than her Auntie Belle and Auntie Blitz. She’s super affectionate. Her breeder noted that she was bottle-fed, which is why she has such a strong desire to interact with humans. She’s also the first of the three to want to experience a new adventure, and she doesn’t hesitate to sass her aunties when they tell her no.
Blitz loves to be the center of attention. She seems to get jealous when the other goats are being pet and she’s not. I have observed her stepping between me and another goat so that I must pet her too. Also in the category of attention-seeking, Blitz loves having her picture taken. She is a photobomber!
And then there’s Belle. We didn’t know what to expect from Belle initially because she was quite shy at first. However, it didn’t take long for her to warm up. She’s amazingly affectionate; you just have to earn it. I respect that. We’ve also noticed that she is a leader. The others take cues from Belle and look to her for important goat decisions, such as whether to go out to pasture or hang out in the barn.
In short, I’m not qualified to advocate for all goats, but I will defend our goats by saying they are loving, easy to keep, and full of personality. If you’re considering adding goats to your farm, my best advice is to read about them and then go meet some. Better yet, swing by the Homestead and we’ll introduce you to Belle, Blitz and Porsche!