I WANTED A COW! How We Ended Up With Dairy Goats | Thoughtful Considerations For Homesteaders

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Do you have a dairy animal? How did you end up with what you have?

[@donnamoran2263]

Agree with everything you said. I have goats. I first thought cow too. Probably read that same book. But, I need to be able to manage the animal. A goat I can usually manage myself. Really, the only drawback was the lack of cream. So invested in cream separator. Goats are the best choice for us.

[@deleneyeager6382]

My daughter and I have goats. Cows are a large investment and can cause harm. Goats are very easy to manage vs. Cows.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thr cream separator makes so much possible!! I know people with cows that use them too.

[@SOKAlpacas]

We have sheep for dairy. I spent the longest time looking into keeping dairy goats, but we already had alpacas - who are very sensitive to copper. Rather than risk someone getting sick by accident, we ultimately went with the sheep.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

That makes a ton of sense SOK!!

[@Loan133]

You've made a very good list 😊 Another good point in keeping goats vs cows is that both are herd animals So they are happier in their herd and keeping a goat herd is much more manageable than a herd of cows Aspecially when you think about the space Thank you for the video and save your voice ❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Ah, yes!! Very good point!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Also thank you, it's rough today!!

[@Julia_Teeker]

It’s amazing to me how relatively new you are to all this and yet so incredibly knowledgeable in everything you put a hand to, from gardening to preserving to maintenance of your herd, especially the husbandry and beekeeping, etc. I’m full of admiration for your intellect, wisdom, eloquence and enthusiasm in all you do. You and your family are in my prayers. ❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You are so sweet !! Thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement!

[@georgeingridirwin6180]

I absolutely agree. Heather is amazing & clear as she teaches all that she has learned. And she is so determined to learn what she needs to. Very impressive

[@ruralrouteliving]

Fantastic video Heather, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your reasoning and learning. Once upon a time, I wanted a dairy cow. The realist part of my brain knows it will remain a dream, but now you have given me more to ponder and research in the goat direction. Is there any noticeable difference between lamancha and Nigerian milk?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

YES. Nigerian milk is far creamier, at least in my herd. The Nigerian Milk is VERY rich. LaMancha Milk is creamer than our Mini Alpine's milk, but nothing holds a candle to those Nigerians!!

[@MormonAll]

Young lady, your reasoning is rare. Always enjoy your videos. Thank you.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thanks for watching!

[@OrganicMommaGA]

I grew up on a small hobby farm where our main animal was horses, but my Mom used to call me "Ellie May" because I would bring so many critters home. One summer (while assisting our large animal vet), I rescued two dairy calves - one Guernsey and one Jersey - and brought them home to our farm. We did not keep them on the farm long enough to be able to get milk from them, as I moved away and my mother rehomed them. I only have a little over an acre right now (still looking for our forever farm property), but my partner and I have talked about getting goats, sheep, and maybe some dual-purpose small cattle in the future. However, with age considerations (we are in early 50s now) we may only opt for focusing on smaller livestock. You make a lot of great points that make sense for you and your situation.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Land size makes a big difference. A smaller cow could totally work though. The farm where we bought our pigs a couple years ago had a bunch of healthy animals on 3 acres, some were smaller cattle!

[@rechellmullen6340]

Have you ever processed a buck that hasn't been banded? Goats are not selling because of the drought. Hay is high here in Mo. Haven't been able to sell my buck so considering butchering but? He is Stinky. Wondered if that would carry on into the meat.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I answered this but my reply disappeared! Look into the California Bander. I did Hamish a couple months ago and it worked well!! The stink and hormones can permeate the meat, yes.

[@merryanneadair4451]

YES!! The meat would be horrible! Heather is correct, once banded, given a little time the meat should be just fine!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Our Amish Butcher said one month per year of age to let the hormones settle out!

[@merryanneadair4451]

@@SageandStoneHomestead thank you Heather! I wasn't certain just how long it takes. I've always opted for; the longer the better!! 😳

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You're not wrong!! LOL

[@lottevandoorn7802]

What I love is your enthusiasm. 🤩 It’s so catchy! Anyways we’ve had a dairy goat, here in the Netherlands. (Also very wet land - it’s ‘nether’ after all) She gave a whopping 3 liters every day. My husband was begging for no more goat milk products after a few months (it’s just the two of us) Hahaha. So now we’ve switched to ‘boer goats’ a meat breed. In the Netherlands goat meat is not appreciated, so the poor bucklings that are born from hobby animals often face a horrible fate being pumped full of antibiotics and hormones and chopped up within a few months, for dog food 🤯 Last year we’ve decided to buy some of the bucks and have them weathered, and after a whole year hippety-hopping in our grassland the boys went to the butcher (home butchering is unfortunately not allowed in most cases here, except for meat birds) Man, were we surprised by the quality of the meat. Wow! I’m sorry but it was better than most veal. And quite as good our Kune-pigs meat. We’re definitely going for some bucks again this year. I am thinking of maybe adding a little dairy kind of goat, for just a bit of milk. Or maybe a boer goat doe? But that info is still processed and mulled over ;) Anyways. Thanks for your lovely and inspirational videos. You’ve got a fan in me. 😊

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You can milk a meat doe if she can be stand trained! We have a goat that is half kiko and she produces well (Her other half is Nubian)! We LOVE goat meat and Kunekune meat too!!

[@brittni827]

This is so informative and helpful. Great perspectives

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for being here Brittni! 💜🐐💜

[@olgamika7734]

So true Heather! We are going through this right now with our dairy cow. She is unwell and I’ve been on the phone for a few days now trying to get a vet out. I’m afraid I might loose her. We have another dairy cow, but it would be a huge loss. And yes, I need my husbands help with the cows on a regular basis. He is military as well and I’m terrified something will happen while he’s away. I actually wanted goats first, but went with cows because our property was fenced for cows.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Many hugs! I pray you can get someone out! What's going on with her?

[@merryanneadair4451]

Adding my prayers for your cow! Losing one when it's part of the family is devastating! 🙏

[@olgamika7734]

@@SageandStoneHomesteadthank you! We finally got a vet out and he treated her for ketosis and acidosis. I’m still not understanding fully why/how that happened, but I will have to deep dive into cow nutrition now. Dairy animals are finicky with their metabolic systems aren’t they?

[@olgamika7734]

@@SageandStoneHomesteadoh… her symptoms were being lethargic, not eating, not drinking not chewing cud .

[@olgamika7734]

@@merryanneadair4451thank you so much for your prayers ❤ we finally got a vet out and he treated her for ketosis and acidosis. She is better now!

[@merryanneadair4451]

Very good video! I have had several Jerseys as well as my goats & I loved them. But as you mentioned, it's an overabundance of milk. That I could deal with, difficult but doable. The breeding was a huge issue. AI was the only option & unless there is an AI tech very local, you are limited!! My daughter is an AI tech & has worked at numerous very large cow dairies before starting her own goat dairy. Sounds great, right? She lives over 3 hours away. For all who don't know: Timing is everything when doing AI. Also the amount of viable semen in an AI straw is only a small percent compared to the job a bull does. All that to say...I no longer have my beloved Jersey girls but, just as you said Heather, there isn't anything I can't do with my goat's milk!! And my goats are every bit as loved!! 😉 God bless!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I can't say I'll NEVER have a cow, but I can say I'll always have goats!!!

[@merryanneadair4451]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Absolutely!! Me too! 🙂

[@MissBetsyLu]

Poor you,, no milk cow but dairy goats. Blessings everyone everywhere and always

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I don't see it as a bad thing! I wanted a cow but goats made more sense and I love them!

[@MissBetsyLu]

@@SageandStoneHomestead I'm so jealous, I think my heart is turning wrong side out!!! Lololol I'm bad. But I can't have them right now. Poor me, poor me. Blessings everyone everywhere and always

[@SujitDas-ek6dw]

USefUL...................

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you!!

[@hillockfarm8404]

Sequence of the standard milk animals length of being domesticated wise it is first sheep, then goats and cows last. So it is not strange that goats milk is easier for humans then cow, and that sheep would be easier still. Although sheep give less then goats. Other then that, as herd animals you need at least 2 and preferred 3-5 to have them consider themselves a herd that feels safe numbers wise. Way easier to do that with goats (or sheep) then cows on a small scale.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Amazing, I didn't know that about the sequence of domestication/use of dairy animals!!

[@oluwoleayodeji7962]

What Harbal plant are u using to boost milk litters in your dairy Animal?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Alfalfa is great for increasing milk supply and cream content!

[@abigailontiveros5111]

Multiple of them. I didn’t realize you had merch.

[@highroad3580]

Very good list of positives for goats. Last year I made a Gouda and a farm cheddar from our goat milk. Will make more cheeses this year. I just bought a cream separator and am looking forward to using it. We have red top horse fence from when we had horses and the goats have done very well in them. Love my Nubian goats and all of the dairy products with the milk. Looking forward to seeing your videos on making hard cheeses!

[@NellieGirl]

Totally agree!! I don’t have enough goat milk to warrant a cream separator so no butter. I love milk kefir. Make’s awesome sour cream and buttermilk. Still experimenting with other uses. Goats have so much personality!!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Kefir is AMAZING.

[@ireneroyal3584]

you used kefir to make sour cream? Can I ask how?

[@NellieGirl]

@@ireneroyal3584 After I strain out the kefir grains I pour the clabbered milk in a cheese cloth and drain off the whey. That makes it thick like sour cream.

[@ireneroyal3584]

@@NellieGirl Thank you! I will try it!

[@jessicapabon2105]

Awesome video heather! I was talking to my sister up north who has property and was telling her that about cows versus goats and even though I love cows they do scare me and intimidate me because of their size and their strengths

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes!! Same!!

[@doriskuhberger8559]

Great information Heather. Thank you so much for sharing it. Love and Blessings to you all. ❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏 Doris, Penrith 🇦🇺🦘

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You are so welcome! Thanks for always being here 💜🐐💜

[@robingriffin6498]

My familty had commercial dairies in So. Calif. until 1974, so for the 1st 10 years of my life, there were cows and I always assumed I would have a dairy cow one day. I had 2 goats in high school for FFA, so I did dabble in the caprine world a tad. But my decision for NOT getting a cow are the same as yours. I'm alone on our farm 5-6 days a week, I would be swimming in milk! I will just have to be happy mooning over other peoples dairy cows :)

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I wish you could relive your childhood with a Cow now! What a fun way to grow up. I have fond memories of my childhood friend's family dairy farm. 💜💜

[@darcysimental5299]

Thank you Heather for such an informative video and done so gracefully. You have given me a lot to think about… got me leaning more towards goats😗. In reality they all just become pets in my eyes. 😂

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

There's a lot to think about! 💜🐐💜

[@honeyy79]

I love all your videos. They are so informative and its so nice to see how things work. Thanks so much. Much love from Norway

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much! Levi's grandparents are from Norway! ♥

[@7ArrowsFarm]

Beautiful fall colors!! :). The goats look like they are helping keep the pasture down! ❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

They are! They are avoiding the broom sedge for now but that is fine. I don't blame them!

[@georgeingridirwin6180]

Heather as always you are amazing & great at teaching. Thank you!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Awe, thanks! 💜💜

[@justme-uw6bz]

This was a great informative video, well done and thank you

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much!

[@Sardines177]

Do you guys ever stud out any of your male goats? That might be an easy extra source of income!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Only to friends. I do worry about bringing in disease so I do it with trusted herds only and don't charge!

[@ReadySetHomestead]

You have a beautiful homestead! Thank you for sharing so much information.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much! And thanks for watching!

[@EweGoatToBeKidding]

We're still torn! We're considering adding a cow to the goats and phasing out the sheep so we can move the cow/goats together and not have separate groups. We might try raising a steer first, but I'm still wanting a cow to potentially help with raising pigs since 1 gallon of milk is enough protein for a pig per day. I don't know... the cost of a cow is definitely a huge factor. Thanks for a great video!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Extra dairy is used VERY well in raising pigs and apparently meat chickens!

[@EweGoatToBeKidding]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Ooh, yes! I forgot about chickens, but I have heard that before. See..... I need a big dairy cow now, lol!

[@glorytogodhomestead3495]

Goats for me ❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Same!! ♥

[@GWPHomestead]

Such a fun discussion!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Things to consider for sure! Do you know if your goat vet does farm visits?

[@GWPHomestead]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Not sure, that’s a question for Megan. It may be an option but we haven’t done it ourselves.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'll have to call them. She gave me the info. It would be awesome to have an emergency vet I could call if needed.

[@mistycherie]

Great video with lots of insight and info about perspective on dairy animals as well as pros/cons for different types, thank you Heather! 💚💚

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You bet!! I HAD to film by the pond too before the leaves all fall from the trees!

[@mistycherie]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Yes was so beautiful and I loved seeing the goats on their tippy toes eating (saw Calamity a couple of times pretty sure) hahaha.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes calamity and Jerkface do it a lot! The little goats follow them around to wait for them to bend a tree down LOL