Goats?

Thinking about adding goats, my top 10 things to know!

You can't just have one - and once you meet them, you won't want just one anyway 😊! Spend a few minutes in a goat pen and you will see they are very social animals. They love to snuggle, play and lounge together, and will do best with at least one buddy. That friend might be okay being a mini-horse, sheep or some other animal, but remember, goats have specific feed needs!
You don't need a large farm to own goats! A small pen (200 square feet per goat), a sturdy shelter, secure 4-5' fencing, and maybe a few wooden spools or an old picnic table to climb on, and you will have a great space for a happy herd! Oh, and a well latching gate!
They won't eat you out of house and home! Being small in size (60-80 lbs.), Nigerian Dwarfs have equally small appetites. You don't need a large tractor to move heavy bales or a large amount of space to store hay.
They are little milk-making machines! Small stature does not equal small production! Nigerian Dwarfs are powerhouse milkers often producing 2 quarts (or more!) of milk per day. In addition, their milk is high in butterfat (often 6-10%), so it is ideal for not only drinking but also for making yogurt, cheese, ice cream and so much more!
They are easy to handle! Are they always perfectly well-behaved? No, but with just a dog leash and a little patience (and maybe an animal cookie or two!) you will have an animal entourage before you know it! Trip to the vet? A wire dog kennel in the back of your SUV and off you go!
They are fairly low maintenance! I didn't say NO maintenance, but with good quality hay, clean water, goat specific minerals, and regular hoof trims, they (and you!) should do well. Buy a solid goat raising book, read it, and then keep it handy for when questions come up. Also, locate a livestock vet! Always better to plan ahead than to scramble during an emergency!
If you want milk (and babies!), you will need a buck! This may seem obvious, but it is actually something that not everyone thinks about before getting goats. It's easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of having fresh milk to drink, but in order to keep your doe in milk, you are eventually going to need to breed her again 😊.
They aren't a short-term commitment! The average lifespan of Nigerian Dwarfs is 12-15 years with good care! And since you are almost guaranteed to fall head over heels for them and treat them like royalty, you want to plan for many years of goat rearing fun!
Find a farm sitter! Farm life requires a bit more planning. Ask a neighbor or friend to stop by once (or twice!) a day to add fresh hay, refill buckets, and give a few head scratches. Coming home to a happy, healthy herd makes it worth the effort!
You will have a new set of friends! Nigerian Dwarfs have big personalities that will make you smile, laugh, snap pictures, and just generally brighten your day!