Watch this before getting Dairy Goats: A Beginner's Guide to Maximizing Your Herd's Potential

[@shabbydoris]

The world needs more folks like you two. Good job, Troy & Pascal - please keep sharing . . .

[@campbellmj9405]

Well, there should be at least one more arriving down the road...

[@kbhorseman]

My mare passed away leaving us with a 1 month old foal. We jumped in head first into dairy goats since he refused milk replacer. He surpassed the older foals his age in size drinking 3-4 gallons a day. We are expecting our first kids next month. I have loved the fresh milk and never imagined I would be milking goats daily. 😊

[@J0EYbagaDONUTS]

I know Pascal loved the boating life but she's adopted to the farm life quite nicely. Her bonding with the goats is so heartwarming , it's easy to see what a great mom she will be when the time comes .

[@Quarry4x4]

No content rammed into us and no kidding around you provided quality information. Thanks for not acting the goat. I feel like I milked some of that comment best I hoof it.

[@Willy-t9n]

Hey Troy Happy 50th b/d! Congrats on being a Senior stay at home Dad, great achievement!!

[@herewegrowmama]

LOVED this so much, reignited my desire to get dairy goats in the future. Thank you for sharing!

[@Cookie-cy5my]

Greetings from Florida, USA! Thank you for your excellent videos. I marvel at how you two went from sea lovers to land lovers and appreciate all your hard work while making it look so easy. Continued success in all you both do!!

[@SueFletcher-e7r]

Goat are something else. I had a herd of 17 does to milk at my peak. Used a milk machine and fed calves... I wasn't so crazy about the milk, but loved the meat... The calves did so good on that milk... Really enjoyed the podcast...

[@nevinkuser9892]

I want the meat.

[@lily29295]

Wdym fed calves. Baby goats are called kids

[@FreeRangeLiving]

People use goat milk to raise orphan calves. They do very well on it

[@5foot3rodeo5]

While this video may have been long, It still felt super short and concise at the same time. a lot of people on social media can be gate keepy but this video felt like your cool aunt and uncle teaching you fun new skills. We just bought property in Taree, and I have dreeeeeamed of having my own homestead so I will be referring to your guys channel often x

[@meeplord8722]

Just a tip to cool your milk rapidly. Use the rapid, cool method. All you need is a larger neck container and any type of bottle or smaller contaitainer. Fill the smaller container with water and freeze it. You can use the freezer packs for this. Imerse the freezer back in the milk and refridgerate. Use a thermometer at first. Your milk should go from the warm temp down to 40 degrees within 2 hours. You may need to put in the freezer for a short time. If you're noticing, it's not dropping temp in that time frame. Over time, you will be able to figure out your routine and won't need to temp. This is the training for any food service establishment that cools anything from high temp cooking to ambient, i.e., roomtemp down to the 40-degree mark.

[@mmoore102]

I know nothing about goats, until now. Great video…

[@andrewelliott3576]

Thank you for your easy instruction. More importantly thank you for your kindness. You are an inspiration.

[@DominicScatto]

Thank you both so much for this! We're getting our first Nigerian Dwarf goats in the coming weeks and this is very helpful!

[@FreeRangeLiving]

Our pleasure!

[@danielorr2972]

Enjoyed the video. We had Nubian goats for about 5 years. They were registered and showed them in fairs. The kids never nursed the mothers, so they bonded with us readily because we bottle fed them. The highlught was when our goats won champions and grand champion ribbons Pleasant memories: How good is ice cream made with goats milk? The best😊 ever!

[@scotty6435]

What an amazing video, I love your goats and philosophy that drives what you do. I'm not in a position to buy land like this and don't want to take on a daily, long term responsibility like this but it's wonderful to see what that can look like

[@FreeRangeLiving]

It's a position we can definitely appreciate as it is a big responsibility. People told us this type of life is a lot of work but I think they were underselling it 😆

[@MoniqueAduSustainableLiving]

This was so helpful. Especially when just learning about keeping goats. Thank you!

[@tammyyoung5279]

Hi Guys! Very informative vlog. We had goats when I was growing up, a Nubian and a Saanen, and we used to milk them sitting on our haunches, we would clip their collar onto the fence, and then rest our head in the ‘crook’ of their hind leg and belly, which would help to prevent them from kicking the milk pail. A milking stanchion would definitely have been easier, but it is possible without one😀

[@bertieb9510]

I love yiur aittude to all your animals. They are defiitely working animals and not pets. But you go out of your way to give them an enriched living environment and at the same time you obviously get great pleasure from intreracting with them. Just how it should be.

[@jinksto]

Really well done video! Thanks for all of the effort that you put into these.

[@kellymalone6124]

An inspiring and truly helpful video... just in time as I had already bought my Saanen goats... had I watched this first I probably wouldn't have bought them but now I'm looking forward to the bonding!

[@bishopkinlyside8477]

Hi Troy, and Pascal , thank you for the very informative video , I’ve never had anything to do with goats, but I’ve always liked them and always fascinated me. Thank you once again , can’t wait until your little baby to arrived. Cliff from Logan City Queensland Australia 🇦🇺 from the big island 🏝️

[@darrylmcleman6456]

With my first and last attempt to milk Laverne,a Saanan goat, I got about a litre of milk in the pail and the goat looked at me and deliberately put her foot in the milk!!! My stomach tolerates goat milk better than cow"s milk! CHEERS from Westcoast Canada!

[@alanrobinson5109]

Hi Troy & Pascale, interesting and quite technical, you guys are so inspiring. All the best to you from the UK.

[@florsmith4554]

I'm a new subscriber to your channel. I am a Filipina who is retiring to my country in June. We plan to raise goats once we get there and I want to thank you for sharing your experience/tips in raising goats.

[@FreeRangeLiving]

Welcome!

[@thomasreto2997]

Thank you both for sharing this wife and I thinking of possibly getting goats And or sheep for our small tropical rain acreage

[@lajwantishahani1225]

Greetings from India! I've been thinking about keeping a couple of milking goats and going through KZbin to learn everything I can before taking the leap. Just found your video which has covered the most comprehensive info I could find. Waiting for our rainy season to get over and subscribed to you 😊

[@bernardkings9168]

Love watching your videos and all the trials and information you share. Thanks for sharing. I'm from Cape Town South Africa and want to start farming some time.

[@americanbornwalkaway9110]

IT IS always AWESOME to watch your Videos.....SUCH Good Information ALL the time!!!!! CANNOT WAIT for the Baby!!!! YOU are going to Absolutely ROCK as Mommy and Daddy!!!!!!

[@tomwitman7465]

Please forgive me. I've been remiss and missed this episode. :( I ABSOLUTELY loved it as you slowly and meticulously went through the whole journey of falling in love with goats!!! You covered it so well. I enjoyed every second of the episode. I've followed you for years and you continue to be one of my favorite channels. Bravo.

[@FreeRangeLiving]

It's true. Goat people really do fall for their stock. Exasperating at times but always lovable.

[@robertscholz4486]

I've got to be honest ... I miss the boating ... you guys were really good at it. Great ideas with the refit and fun adventures. Farming just isn't my thing ... good luck.

[@SelfEvolutionHypnotherapy]

That was an AWESOME video - thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge and experience. I am very interested in goats, but it definitely is a huge commitment too. Yours are so adorable! Love the piggies too - I'll have a look to see if there are pig videos too here. So torn between wanting to have all these animals; but also needing to be realistic about what I can do. I love the way you have structured this video to be so informative and well researched, yet you make it look effortless like we're just having a chat about it. Very well done!

[@richardp4544]

Excellent presentation Ramshackle Crew. Thank you for all that really sound advice.

[@russellneville7145]

Very interesting, I now know what possibly happened to my old goat. Keep up the good work guys, I'm still enjoying your Chanel, even if you're not on a boat, haha. SV Kiwi Lady Opua Bay of islands New Zealand 👍🏿

[@lazulimoon1970]

What a great vídeo! Truly down to earth! 😮

[@janliljeberg3769]

Thanks, Troy & Pascal, I love your Free Range Sailing videos, looking for starting again after 50 years of absence. And today this lovely side of your lives came up, farming! Wow, what a contrast, are you now done with your live at sea, I see Pascal, you are now pregnant? Congratulations! Are you living in west Australia, Perth region? I too love goats, but have no experiance at all of farming, but love what you are doing. A full life!

[@lisathiedeman4487]

Love this video and learnings! I don't intend to have goats, but it was informative. Thank you!

[@bla0407]

I wasn't so crazy about the milk, but loved the meat

[@MrAmigolim]

Im so glad this video came to my feed as a surprise because I am thinking about getting a couple of goats some time soon. Awesome information!! Thanks

[@Mushroom_dust]

Interesting about the copper and dolamite … works the same for fish as well :) Great video.

[@MrRourk]

Those goats are loved and happy

[@IXAirwalkerXI]

Very informative and great video. You guys seem like really nice ppl. I'm milking 2 goats.

[@zedreaboudoir]

Great video very informative and engaging

[@TheBluegrassFamily]

Thanks so much for sharing! We’re adding some milk goats to our farm!!! This has been very helpful!

[@FreeRangeLiving]

Glad it was helpful! Good luck wit the goats.

[@kandismueller7716]

Thank you! Very informative. I am planning on getting Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats on our suburban half-acre lot when (if) the local stores close. In my life I've kept horses and helped with foaling, but I am learning about goats now. Your description of bonding makes a point other videos have left out.

[@FreeRangeLiving]

Perhaps left unsaid is that the bonding process, while important, is also very satisfying. We love to walk our goats in the evening (along with the cats and dog!)

[@poorstudioguy6434]

Thank - you for the video! Very practical and very important info! Troy, you're the Australian version of Matt Greiner. The drummer from August Burns Red.

[@hawkeye-nh7pl]

Outstanding as usual

[@nooneanybodyknows7912]

Fascinating information I will probably never use. Nevertheless, I thoroughly enjoyed listening and learning. You and your animals are dearly loved. ❤️ Thanks for sharing.

[@nathanbrown8797]

Well done guys this is some great stuff.

[@kranzonguam]

Great information! Thank you both!

[@mariasalvana1026]

I love your video is very educational and informative. great job.

[@stephenmurphy8259]

Lovely couple. Brilliant video. Thanks!

[@barbsoddznendz1896]

Thank you for all the information!!

[@mikeherbert7664]

Very interesting video about goats well done keep up the good work

[@bombadil776]

I love these videos. Thank-you for your art.

[@SuperNova-Steve]

Great Vid, good info. I've thought of having goats this is an excellent insight. BTW I use a dremmel to keep dog claws nice. Goat claws look like they need the real deal as you showed. Wouldn't mind seeing some info on the Guinea fowl. I used to see them in the bush in Africa all the time, never knew they could be domesticated.

[@thomasspainhour1112]

Thank you for sharing this, NC USA 🇺🇸

[@uncleericrocks]

Well done 👏

[@patrickp9304]

Excellent excellent video!

[@catherinemalcolm8125]

Another way I have seen milk cooled quickly is over what is in essence a radiator, through which cold water is run. The milk is poured through a filter at the top and runs down over the cool radiator to be collected in a trough which opens to a churn underneath. But of course if you made one to size you could fill bottles instead.

[@scottmacdonald5170]

Great video. Top recommended books for a family looking to start a herd share? We started down the path of goats a few years back and instead decided to focus on expanding our flock of chickens and ducks. But we are ready now and trying to learn as much as we can... came across your video and it was very useful. Subscribed.

[@joebuck49]

I had goats and your spot on in your assessment. Planted 200 pine trees the goats had a snack a day or two later no pines. The milk makes the best ice-cream. A Billy stinks to high heaven and he will rub up against you so you can carry his sent to far away places.

[@peternairn4474]

Thankyou, quite a bit in it, the bonding being key,, I wunder if that connection we all long for can be found in animals and people, I guess so with all the dog n cat owners , people being in a category of there own,, thanks

[@paulzammit4195]

I can't believe I like video well done pascal and troy

[@RobertMUGENYIMusenze]

What is this copper combination that you give the goats?... I am in Uganda and starting with a few goats

[@englishmaninfrance661]

Not that I'm ever going to keep goats :) but this was very interesting

[@joeleenwilkinson4950]

Your video is absolutely fantastic! My goat had babies for the first time 2 days ago, we are so excited and learning how to milk. I was curious could you post links to all your feed and mineral sources. I think your mix that you feed during milking is amazing and I would love to easily replicate that.

[@FreeRangeLiving]

Ok so when the girls are in milk we soak about 3 to 4 days worth of barley with a teaspoon of copper and 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar. Each day on the milk stand the goats are fed their portion of soaked grain with equal amounts lucerne chaff and oaten chaff. To this mix we also add 2 desert spoons (roughly 7 teaspoons) of dolomite lime and 2 teaspoons of sulphur. I got this feed mix from reading Pat Colby's book, Natural Goat Farming. She also suggests adding borax to their feed but I never ended up doing this.

[@trainwrecker101]

Very interesting. Thank you.

[@Crown-pv4li]

this makes me really want two goats looking into it they are legal in my town.

[@GypsyBrokenwings]

I ordered a johnson cover (bib) for my buck. It also keeps them from urine burns.

[@Noone-rt6pw]

You guys should have a long life

[@wildtimbrown]

Hi Pascal, I work with Bird of Prey talons! Mr. Brown ;-)

[@chshrkt]

Goats milk is naturally homogenized, that is why it is hard to get the cream layer on top like with raw cows milk. My family raised Toggenburgs and Saanens for 20 years, best part of my childhood.

[@simonmaton]

Great as usual thanks! XXX 🙂

[@naturally_danii]

Flash chill, brilliant idea!

[@suzannechance5876]

On the dairy we did not keep the bucks intact because of those very traits. I love goats, they are intelligent and friendly. We kept the herd CAE by careful breeding, sanitation, and hand feeding. The bucks can be very aggressive and will attemp mounting anything that looks at them, man, woman or child. Lol i thought them funny until I went into the pen with a faulty cattle prod! Adventure for sure!😊

[@elinarussell]

Thank you for this information. Where do you get your work overalls?

[@joebean3615]

I’m pretty sure the brand is ‘liberty overalls’

[@brandynash1409]

We’ve dealt with severe CAE. What I’ve come to realize raising goats for a decade is if you keep the worm load down, then it never “wakes up” in their immune system.

[@woodsmn8047]

being a former cow hand milker I can tell you that the milking procedure is exactly the same as you demonstrated for your goats .. unless you have a power milker .. I had a neighbor who had a power milker for his very small jersey cow and I told him that the washing of all parts of his milking machine took longer than if he just milked by hand .. to which he said ... if I only had one cow and she had only one teat .. I would still have a power milker or she wouldn't get milked ...!

[@heatherhickok-freeman9427]

Do you reuse the Muslin cloth and if so do you wash it and how do you wash it?

[@woodsmn8047]

one of my other neighbors got four small white goats like yours and the next morning I got a call that the goats were on top of his two story farmhouse and how can I get them down ...? he had firewood stacked against the back of the house where the roof was lowest

[@davidsears5576]

Wonderful video had some goats when I first moved to Oregon very entertaining. Do make goats cheese ?

[@nabillayoun]

Actually this summer I'm going to cut willows and dry lots for winter Also I wanted to try to use a chipper, chip willows and young poplar trees and silage a bunch for winter ?

[@harrywhalen3571]

Thanks!

[@FreeRangeLiving]

Thank you very much. It's appreciated.

[@CraigHort-cw6yk]

Thanks

[@FreeRangeLiving]

Incredibly generous. Thank you very much and glad you are enjoying our videos.

[@Kd4stt.]

I am curious of what breed of buck was your young Saanen were bred With? They are beautiful kids.❤

[@FreeRangeLiving]

Not sure. We think it was another Sannen. I believe the Sannen line in Australia can sometimes through the British Alpine coloration that you see on the kids.

[@Littleriverupthehill]

so good.

[@libraryofpangea7018]

If you're really concerned about hygiene & intend not to pasteurize, you should consider investing in a microscope. Learn how to identify microbes so you're not depending on guess work with how clean your milk is. It also helps you monitor the health of your goats and helps you fine tune ferments.

[@dlraj4163]

Good.

[@willelkins4578]

Cool the milk as soon as possible after milking, but do "not" put a lid on the container until the milk has cooled. If you put the lid on a container of warm milk it will have a goat taste.

[@hicoteo]

Goats are vegetarian dogs, totally loveable. If your queen is well domesticated and doesn't challenge the fence, the others won't either. So, train her well. Surgically castrating them is very easy and less stressful believe it or not. They're jumping around minutes after. Goat poo can turn a desert into a food producer for sure. I keep a billy full time. Change them until you find one with the right character. Just don't pull his beard during mating time. It will be rather sticky. 😅

[@HelenEk7]

What do you do with a billy you no longer need? Can you use it for meat, or will the meat not taste good due to the male hormones etc?

[@hicoteo]

@@HelenEk7 Males are great for protein. Some don't like females but they are fine, too.

[@HelenEk7]

@@hicoteo Oh, so its the other way around. Good to know!

[@lazulimoon1970]

Hi from Califórnia! May I ask you if goats eat oak brush? We have a lot of oak and labor here in norther Califórnia is getting extremily expensive. Are you guys selling goats? Do you deliver the goat? Thank You.

[@FreeRangeLiving]

Try here, we're in Australia 🦘 www.hiregoats.com/california

[@lazulimoon1970]

@@FreeRangeLiving Oh Dear! I was not aware of your location. ThankYou anyways.

[@nabillayoun]

I'm in Canada. It's nice ⌚️/ learning from you guys . I have 17 saanen pure bred girls . Not bred yet . But six pure bred saanen I'm getting this weekend 19th Feb 2024. They are registered & and bred by a very well known registered buck ( I'm getting the buck also. I never had goats before. I lost my wife 19 months ago . So I got the goats to help me emotionally ( I have 300 acres mostly trees / bush . I'm 65 years old. I may be crazy but I like to use them to clear land . And I wish to become a caring shepherd with 4 great Pyrenees and 2 border collies. My question dear is could I sell milk / cheese to private homes ?

[@FreeRangeLiving]

I'm not sure what the regulations are around that in Canada sorry

[@anitaberendsen9525]

I just talked to a goatfarmer and he told me the opposite. The male wasn't dofficult but the females were breaking out to find him.

[@muhammadAdizan9345]

❤❤🎉🎉

[@nevinkuser9892]

How much land are you guys on? I guess I should ask how much land are the goats allowed to go on?

[@FreeRangeLiving]

9 acres. The goats are allowed to go everywhere but only under supervision. If we're not with them they are in their 1/4 acre enclosure.

[@BeccaS1]

Is the washing JUST with warm water? How does that help with any bacteria?

[@FreeRangeLiving]

No we wash with warm water and mild detergent. Just recently Troy has started washing our cows udder and teats with warm water and vinegar so I might adopt that instead once our girls are back in milk again.

[@goat4sale708]

Very Nice info. Happy farming New subscriber here pls. Thankyou and Godbless ❤❤❤❤🙏

[@DimasFajar-ns4vb]

cow rinds tasty for me

[@TheBeaker59]

I am setting up a lifestyle block right now and my wife and I talked about goats I don't think they are right for us and our land. My wife is still unsure we shall see. For me its about the commitment I doubt I can give them enough time and effort even though I do like goats and thier products. Anyway the question not touched on is Hugo, wethers on a farm only have one purpose really, is that something you are considering? I really enjoy eating goats they are delicious. I have access to plenty of feral goats so I eat a fair number of those and don't need to raise them for that purpose, but back to Hugo would you process him yourselves.

[@shervinmokthari1251]

❤