Goats? I understand about the small pockets!

Yep, goats. Our meat and dairy supplier is now raising American Nubians, the same as you, I think. Apparently they are known for their high quality and higher butterfat milk production, plus they're very friendly. I'm looking forward to trying some when they start selling the milk. I'd love to give cheese making a try! Is that part of the hazard?

Yep, that's part of the hazard. Nubians are sweet and the prettiest, in my opinion. We just raise for milk and my son wants to breed so he can sell a few to try and pay for his hobby. That's exciting, keep us posted when you get some!

I think Nubians are very pretty also. But I just can't get over the idea of raising them for milk. I mean DRINKING the milk. I can't even stand cows milk. Tasted dried goats milk and thought it was awful. Now eating goat meat, I am all for that!

I'm with you on the milk. It is in high demand though. I don't think I have ever had goat meat. I don't think I want to. If I could change my eating habits I would do the forks over knives but I would miss y cheese!

I have never had goat cheeze but I am certainly willing to try it.

I have this what I call health food slurry each day. I put stuff in there that's good for me. You know along the lines of those green nutritional supplement drinks. Anyway I either put a scoop of whey protein in there each day or a scoop of goat's milk protein. Depends. The whey doesn't taste bad but the goats milk tastes awful. I just about gagged first time I tried it. Now I put so many things in the slurry that tastes are all masked.

But goats meat is delicious. It is funny how we think of certain meats as what we should eat and skip others. Not reason the supermarket shelves shouldn't be lined with goat meat instead of beef except that people don't demand it.

Newyorkrita said:I think Nubians are very pretty also. But I just can't get over the idea of raising them for milk. I mean DRINKING the milk. I can't even stand cows milk. Tasted dried goats milk and thought it was awful.

Would you ever consider giving goat milk another try? I purchased it once from the grocer and it was absolutely terrible (very goaty indeed). But, the milk straight from our goats has always been a very different matter. So many variables can affect the taste of milk - crowded or dirty conditions, diet, and the location of the buck (a buck kept too near can certainly taint the milk) among other things. See, even the goats agree (it looks like you have to click on the photos to get the full caption):







We also have used the milk to make a good soap.

if the goats are dirty, the milk will taste goaty. Best freshly chilled. At least I have been told by those that drink it, there is a difference. But if you don't drink cow's milk, then not much chance. Getting you to drink goat's milk.

I agree - chilled is best! However, I have been out voted by the twins :

Oldgardener, you goats are lovely and I appreciate the captions. Milk is just not for me.

I hate milk. I hate the taste of it. So goats milk just a stronger taste than cows milk.

I am sure there is nothing wrong with the goats milk, It probably should taste like that. But just the idea of drinking it makes me want to gag.

Those baby goats are too cute!

Beautiful goats!

I was pretty skeptical about raising goats until I looked closer at the twins.

What are their names? "Cute" and "Cuter"?

Rita - I understand. I do not care for regular milk (pasteurized) regardless of who it is from -- at all. But I do drink and enjoy various raw milks.

Thank you, Arlene. I was very pleased with the twins. I thought the doe did great - especially since this was her first time.

Rick - you should get a goat! They are quite entertaining.

I live in a pretty urban setting, and more than half of the small yard is taken up by my manufactured home & driveway.

But I wish I could keep a goose, or anything else, that would eat slugs!

40 years ago or so, I kept a pet goose in Los Angeles that was a terrific snail-er. She did an exceptional job!

I need a slug eating goose myself. Or Ducks! Lots and lots of slugs here in my yard.

Escargot! Many consider it a delicacy!