We recently decided why wait? If we want goats, we should get some goats. But we honestly don't know much at all about them, so we searched online for a local goat farm to visit for hands on experience. Our search led us to Itty Bitty Critter Farm which is about a 2 hour drive away. We called the owners and they invited us to visit the farm over the weekend and ask as many questions as we wanted. We ended up spending a bit of time with the owners and the goats this past Saturday and had a blast!
I haven't been around goats at all before, so I was surprised at how friendly and calm they were. I had heard that goats will jump on you and try to eat your clothing, but these girls and boys were so polite and well behaved. I found that they liked to be petted and scratched on the head, so I happily obliged.
David spent a lot of time asking about the proper housing and fencing for the goats. I tried to stay focused and learn as much as possible, but I have to admit, I spent most of my time taking photos and observing (and petting) the sweet girls and boys.
There is one mama to be who is due sometime around March. Her babies are not yet spoken for, so depending on how things work out, we may be able to get some goats this summer.
We've decided on Nigerian Dwarf goats because they are smaller and easier to manage than other standard sized breeds (and also because they are just so adorable). Eventually we'd like to milk them, so we are thinking about getting a couple girls. We still have some planning and deciding to do, but we are going to make our dream of having goats a reality!
If you are in the St. Louis area and interested in goats, we highly recommend Itty Bitty Critter Farm. The owners are very knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions you may have. They take such good care of their goats and you can tell the girls and boys are well loved and spoiled. Many thanks to Sandra and Gary for being such great hosts and educators. If you take a visit there, let them know we sent you!
~Tammy
Shared with Maple Hill Hop
thanks for answering what you'd use them for - whether as pasture pets, weed eaters, milkers, etc. :)
ReplyDeleteThey're so cute!!! I would LOVE goats someday! :-)
ReplyDeleteWoohoooooo this is such exciting news! We are so on the same path and I love it. I'm looking forward to seeing your journey with these amazing animals. Happy pen building :)
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure you're going to be the best goat owners evah!! And those are some pretty ones you've gotten pictures of, they're eyes are super clear and really pretty!!
ReplyDeleteTammy, how cool! Great news They are adorable goats. I would like to have pet goats and hubby would not have to cute the grass. What a fun visit to the goat farm. I would be hugging and taking photos too. Thanks for sharing, have a happy week ahead!
ReplyDeleteWonderful idea to visit a farm and try them up close. I'd like goats one day - imagine all that delicious cheese just waiting to be made!!
ReplyDeleteThey are wonderful ! I'm surprised but they have beautiful eyes.
ReplyDeleteGreetings
I love them! I can't wait to see the photos in the future at your homestead. Lucky goats if they get to come home with you...........just ask Gizmo or Emma or Duchess or .......:)
ReplyDeleteMaaaaah-maaaaaaaah! They've all got such a unique appearance. I always liked goats; the rectangular pupils are very mysterious. It looks as though you were going to put that one goat under your jacket and walk away while David distracted the owners with questions. It's probably best to have small goats—otherwise they'll see Duchess as a rival and chase her maybe. I do hope you've got a good deal of ground cover for the goats to gnaw on: they can eat a good deal, and some people use them in place of lawn-mowers. In places with turf-roofed houses, the goats climb right up on the roofs and crop the turf down to size. There's even a coffee shop in England called 'Goats on the Roof'. Check this out: http://www.stackyard.com/news/2010/07/rural/03_goats_on_the_roof%20.html
ReplyDeleteAnd check out the Scandinavian/ Icelandic traditional turf roofed buildings that look like Hobbit houses. If you put your ear to the door you can hear singing inside: 'Chip koppene, knekke platene! Det er det som Bilbo Baggins hater! Så nøye, nøye med platene!'
http://blog.ounodesign.com/2012/09/18/sod-roof-earth-sheltered-houses-norway-iceland/
I've seen these first-hand; they'll make you want to install a roof like this as soon as possible. I think goats are a great idea, as long as they have a proper roof to go with them. You might also unintentionally attract hobbits, so be careful: hobbits eat much more than goats!
Oooooh, I love goats! They're great "lawnmowers" too! I'm so excited for you guys... I can't wait to meet the goats you end up picking!
ReplyDeleteThose goats looked BEAUTIFUL!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
My sister has two goats. We love to visit them. They make good guard animals for her. As soon as a stranger comes into the yard they let her know.
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you!
Great photos!!
I would love to have goats one day too. I hope you get some this summer.
ReplyDeleteThere are goats at many of the petting zoos around here and they are very friendly with the kids (the human kind of kids that is haha).
ReplyDeletehow adorable they are! I'm anxious to see you get them and share them on the blog.
ReplyDeleteYay! So exciting Tammy! I LOVE goats and grew up with two of my own (Riff and Raff). I have wonderful memories of my sweet little friends - and we did eventually have to give them away because they were jumping their fence (and roaming the town and causing all sorts of mischief) BUT they were wonderful! I know they will make wonderful additions to your home too! Love the pics! Can't wait to see your journey with the "kids".
ReplyDeleteI love my goats and I'm sure you guys will love yours when you get them! How cool that the folks were so willing to answer questions so that there are no surprises when you finally get them home!
ReplyDeleteP.S; You will love having your own milk and being able to make cheese!
How exciting! It looks like you bonded with those sweet things. How wonderful that the goat farmers were so open. Can't wait to see you with your new goat babies!
ReplyDeleteMy sister started her own goat farm a few years ago and she had no clue what to expect. She started out with a couple of goats, learned what she needed to, and now has a whole pasture full of them. Just like most critters, they each have their own personality which always makes things fun and interesting.
ReplyDeleteHooray!!!!!!!!!!!!! :) I will live vicariously through you because that's the breed we were on our way to purchasing. They are so wonderful, aren't they? So happy you found a nice farm with people willing to share info with you. My fingers are crossed that goats are coming to you soon!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see how your goats work out! I have been wanting to get some!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you had a good time and have decided you love goats too! (You need to come check out my giveaway this Thursday, seriously! LOL!)
ReplyDeleteKathi at Oak Hill Homestead
This is wonderful Tammy and your pictures are so much fun. The dwarf goats would be perfect;)y friend Susan ( you've seen her on my blog has goats, chickens, a pony and a Great Dane.. Lots of work!! Her goats are so funny and have very distinct personalities.
ReplyDeleteHow adorable! What a great addition to your homestead this would be.
ReplyDeleteSuch cute animals! Who wouldn't want a goat or two?
ReplyDeleteOh I am so envious! We have thought about goats too! But with the hubbys hectic work schedule and travel its just not our time. Another great person to learn from is Debra at Antiquity Oaks. I have gone to a couple goat classes from her. She also just published a great book about goats. Good luck to you guys!!
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting! I've been around very few goats in my life, so I don't know much about them. Their eyes are so pretty, is the color specific to this breed? I am really looking forward to following you on this journey!
ReplyDeleteI am very excited for you both Tammy. I can't wait to follow this new chapter in your journey and to see the new additions when you get them!!
ReplyDeleteThe goats seem excited for getting themselves clicked!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting for you both!!! I think this would be a great adventure for you and fun. You're right - you can't get just one!! goats are social animals and need another of its own :-}}
ReplyDeleteOh my - those goats ARE adorable!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful goats,Tammy!
ReplyDeleteSquee!!!! I was going to message you and see how it went, but I decided to check your blog first. :) We'll be partners in the Nigerian Dwarf club! I can't wait for you to have 'kids'. :)
ReplyDeleteI love goats, they have SO much personality. Unfortunately the Great Scot is squicked by their eyes; this is when I generally toss in a 'puny god' remark. ;-)
ReplyDeleteGreat pics as always! We had goats growing up and the 2 most vivid memories are of them constantly escaping, and taking 2 kids to our local church in a pet blessing.
ReplyDeleteAs the vicar put his hand on the baby goats head, the goat started eating his dangly sleeve. Hilarious!
Janie x
Great photos, good luck if you get some.
ReplyDeleteThis post reminds me of a man who lives in the city with his pet goats. He walks them at night on the streets as you would a dog. Quite the sight!
ReplyDeleteThese dwarf goats are so cute and their sweet personality really does seem to shine through.
This is a big step for you! I know you and your husband will do well with the goats just as you do with all of your new ventures! :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I will definitely be interested in to see how your goating experience goes. I'm interested in goats myself (how could I not be? They're so cute!) so it will be really cool to watch you're journey. Best of luck! :)
ReplyDeleteI love having animals around. Those goats are pretty cute, I wouldn't mind having a couple some day! We are still searching for our perfect homestead, it's taking longer that I thought to find the right property, but hopefully we'll find something soon. Great photos!!
ReplyDeleteoh they are so cute!! can't wait to start hearing about your goat adventures!
ReplyDeleteOh YES! You'll love goats. They love to play and cuddle - mine bring a smile to my face each and every day. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteWhat I heard is that you may have a buck close by when your girls are ready to breed. :-) Good for you for 'digging in' and going for what you want.
ReplyDeleteSo exciting! We thought we would wait to get goats, but couldn't wait. Jumped right in and nevered looked back. We love having them around, and enjoy the milk very much. I'm glad you are going with the ND's. The milk is so creamy and you can so much with it. Check out nigeriandwarfdairygoat.ning. Alot of good info.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you shared this on The Maple Hill Hop today! They are the sweetest!
ReplyDeleteAww, it looks like you had so much fun!! My brother just got a couple of these goats- been trying to convince my husband to get some but so far he's not going for it ;)~ thanks so much for sharing these adorable photos and good luck to you and your future herd! :)
ReplyDeleteErin
http://yellowbirchhobbyfarm.blogspot.com
What fun! My sil lives on 40 acres in central California and her next door neighbor has goats...and makes delicious cheese. I think they are so cute...what a great addition...can't wait to see what you get! Have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteThe closest we have been to a farm is when we go the petting zoo. They do look friendly. I think Madison would enjoy visiting a farm, there is so much I want to show her now that's she's young. She pointed at the goat and said "mooo" lol. Hope you're having a great week!
ReplyDeleteGreat therapy animals; but be careful, I've read they can jump.Congrats!
ReplyDeleteYou will enjoy raising goats, it's not hard at all and they are a lot of fun. I raised goats many years ago, they will be come your pets and follow you around wanting food all the time! They are really fun and they are good to eat too.
ReplyDeleteTHey are so cute! I really want goats some day.
ReplyDeleteI have a blog friend in Canada with two goats. I love seeing the photos. All the best to you in your decision.
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ReplyDelete