To Goat or Not To Goat? That is the Question.
If you are a current horse property owner, you may very well have asked yourself this question at some point. Goats are so cute, so entertaining and can be quite a valuable addition to your property. But sadly, that’s not the whole story. Goats can also be destructive, mischievous, and a little gross. I have the pleasure of watching goats daily on the property next to where I board my horse. These guys are big, mellow, love to sunbathe and do a heck of a job keeping the weeds at bay which makes for a very good fire break between properties. Conversely, I know someone from years ago who was rammed by a normally friendly goat and required ACL repair surgery. Goats are a lot to consider. A lot of good and a lot of “other.” If this question is currently on your mind, here’s the quick and dirty…5 reasons “to goat” and 5 reasons “not to goat.” Here we go…
5 Reasons To Goat!
They Clear Land - This is what goats are known for! In fact, here in the Tri-Valley you can see large herds of goats clearing land all summer! There are usually hundreds of them as they work their way through some unused land which may be prone to fire. Once the land is clear of every inch of weeds, they are loaded up and moved to the next plot in need of clearing. This is a practical, cost-effective and safe way to reduce fire risk, and the intensity for fire spread compared to mowing, herbicide (weed/soil poison) or manually removing. Especially for large areas. So it’s a pretty good gig for the goats, and great for the landowner.
They Make Manure - Goats can consume 40-60 cubic yards of brush and weed waste per acre. The waste is quickly and easily converted into bioavailable fertilizer following digestion. Insta fertilizer!! And, properly organized goat grazing can help your business and property lower its carbon footprint. You can read more on that here.
They produce Milk and Cheese - Goats produce super nutritious milk and do so much more cost-effectively than cows mostly because they eat a whole lot less. Goat’s milk is known to be easier to digest for those lactose intolerant. Of course the milk can be used to make cheese and even soap! Very useful creatures!
They Produce Fiber - Did you know that Cashmere comes from a goat? It’s true (is it just me that thought it came from sheep?) A Cashmere Goat (from Asia) produces Cashmere wool. Raising these goats and selling their wool could be a business in itself or just sustain your yarn hobby.
They Make Great Companions - Kids and goats go hand in hand. Both like to run, jump, and play. Goats come in a variety of sizes and temperaments, so knowing which goat is a best fit for your family and property is important. And, because they are herd animals, know now that you won’t get “a goat” you will get “goats.”
5 Reasons Not To Goat!
Toenail Trimming - Every 6-12 weeks, depending on your breed and terrain, you’re going to have to give your goats a pedicure. Be sure you can add this to your schedule or your expenses to have it done, all the farm animals need to have good feet. You can read up on this here.
Fencing and Escaping - One of my favorite lines in researching this article is this, “...Goats rival Harry Houdini when it comes to great escapes.” I think that says a lot. They will climb, jump, bite, and push fences until they get through. They are legendary in this department so you’ll need to strongly consider where they will live and how to keep them contained. Here’s a story about not being able to solve that issue:
Worming - Like many farm animals, your goats will also need to be wormed periodically. And, as we are all learning, you can’t overdo the worming, but only treat as needed so the goats don’t become immune to dewormers.
Bucks (are gross) - Here’s the thing…If you want milk and cheese from your females, you need males around. Male goats have been known to rival skunks in terms of stink. To keep this all PG, let’s just say that male goats like to get creative with their urine and are known to perform “acts” on themselves. So there’s that.
Ability to destroy everything - They can and will destroy most fences. They will eat your flower garden (and some are toxic to them so be careful!). They will jump on your car (and your client’s cars). I’ve seen them destroy human ligaments in one headbutt.
One last thing to keep in mind. If you’re not interested in hosting goats full time, consider renting them to take care of the weeds and then move on. Interested in learning more about goats? Here’s a link to Goat 101. Enjoy!
More resources:
Goat Problems: https://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/11/goat-problems.html
Goat Grazing: https://www.gachina.com/landscaping-services/goat-grazing/