How to Raise Healthy Goats

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Rugged French Alpines rarely have any kidding problems, and thus are a good choice when you're learning how to raise goats. 
Rugged French Alpines rarely have any kidding problems, and thus are a good choice when you're learning how to raise goats. 
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Toggenburgs are a small but hardy breed of milk producers.
Toggenburgs are a small but hardy breed of milk producers.
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All-white Saanens are the
All-white Saanens are the "Holsteins" of dairy goats.
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This poor-quality
This poor-quality "on-line" milker has a narrow, pendulous udder and large, unequal teats.
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"Earless" La Manchas have the reputation of being a remarkably docile.

You can produce all the milk you’ll ever need–for pennies a gallon–by raising goats. And that homegrown drink will be fresh, delicious, and exceptionally healthful. In fact, many folks (including some babies) who are allergic to cow’s milk can readily digest goat “nectar.”

(And by the way, the myth that goat milk has a disagreeable “off” flavor is simply untrue. If you keep your equipment clean and quickly chill your nanny’s daily offerings–as you’d have to do to keep any dairy product tasty–you’ll find that goat’s milk is every bit as good as, if not better than, “moo juice.”)

There are many other advantages to learning how to raise goats: Each doe will, every year, produce two or three youngsters that can be used as replacement stock, butchered for their tasty meat (called chevon), or sold to other goat farmers. The animals are excellent browsers that can forage for much of their own feed. The beautiful hide from butchered bucks and does can be made into vests and rugs. Some goats (the mohair varieties) grow luxurious coats of usable wool each year. The livestock can become great companions as well as helpful cart pullers. Goat’s milk can be used to make yogurt and–with a bit of know-how and practice–delicious butter and cheese. And finally, every caprine critter you raise will contribute valuable manure for your vegetable garden. 

Recognize Your Market

Goats are often called “poor man’s cows,” because they’re the most practical homestead milkmakers imaginable. A good dairy cow, it’s true, can produce as much as five gallons of bovine beverage per day … more than most households can use, and she’ll eat a heck of a lot of grain and hay. A goat will average a usable yield of a gallon (or less) of milk daily, during its annual 305-day lactation period … and will consume a lot less feed while doing so.

  • Published on Sep 1, 1980
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