Meet the Goats!

My goats are wonderful members of the farm, and they are really what got me started on this whole homesteading adventure (more on that later). I got my first two in 2011, and it became a slight obsession from there...

We currently have 8, but that number is about to change, as 3 are due this month, and 1 this fall. Get ready for some super cute pictures! All of them are registered, purebred, Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats, and I couldn't be happier with this breed!

Anyways, here are all my goats, and a little bit about each of them:

Abigail

Meet Abigail! I got her in June 2011 as a bottle baby, and she was my very first goat. She is the herd queen, and is slightly stubborn, but also very friendly. She is such a pretty doe, with a very strong build. She is due to have her first kids in July 2013, and will be one of our milkers this fall. She comes from great dairy lines, so I expect her to be a great producer.

Noah

Meet Noah! He is wether (neutered male), and is the only boy in the herd (poor guy!). He was born in June 2011, and I got him as a bottle baby just a few hours after Abigail. He was only 3 lbs. when I took him home! Although Noah can't breed the does and doesn't produce milk or kids, he is still wonderful at keeping the other ones company, and eating! One special thing about Noah is his wattles. Wattles are just little skin tags that hang from under a goat's jaw area, but they are fairly uncommon. I just love this sweet little boy...

Addy

Meet Addy! Addy was born in January 2012, and I got her for my birthday in February 2012. She is the most calm, quiet, and polite goat I have ever met! Cute too I must say. She should have her first kids next year sometime. We bred her this year, but it didn't take. Once she does though, she should be a great milker! If you ever meet Addy, you will want to take her home with you!

Penny

Meet Penny! Penny is a 2-year-old doe, born in April 2011. I bought her in July 2012 with her little doeling, Penelope. She is pretty shy, but she's getting better. Penny is due to have her 2nd kids in July 2013, and will also be our milker for the fall along with Abigail.

Penelope as a baby

Meet Penelope! Penelope is a beautiful chocolate doe that turned one last month. I got her with her mother, Penny, when she was very young. She is sweet and spunky, and still acts like a kid. She might have her first kids in July 2013, but I'm not 100% sure if she's actually pregnant. It'll be a surprise either way! She is so adorable, and I love having her on the farm.

Lillian

Next up is Lillian! Lillian was born in November 2012 and I got her for my birthday this year. She absolutely adores people, and that is probably because none of the other goats really like her. She is the youngest goat in the herd, but when that changes, she should have a happier life. She is super petite, so she won't be having kids anytime soon. She is so precious, and I give her special attention every day because her big brown eyes just break my heart...

Madeline

Meet Madeline! This picture describes her perfectly. She is hilarious! Madeline was my first blue-eyed goat, and I got her in June 2013 right around her 3rd birthday. Her markings are gorgeous, and anyone that visits the farm always points out how pretty she is. She had triplets earlier this year at a different farm, and is due to kid again in early October, making her our winter milker. I can't wait!

Last but not least, meet Bella! Bella is a beautiful red doe with big blue eyes. I got her in June 2013 right after Madeline. She is 2 years old and has already had 2 sets of kids. I bought her in-milk, but she had not yet been trained, and neither had I! Well, needless to say, after about 2 miserable weeks of training, she is now the best milk goat I could ever ask for! She will be bred again this fall for spring 2014 kids. She is such a beautiful little lady, and I'm so happy I added her to my herd.

Abigail and Noah as kids

Well, there you have it! All 8 of my darling little goats. I love having them around, and don't see myself getting rid of them any time soon.

Some people will tell you that goats are annoying and very hard to own. If you don't have the proper setup, or are not educated enough about goats, this can be true. I am planning to write several posts in the future about goat ownership, so anyone that is considering buying goats can gain more knowledge and feel more comfortable with the whole idea.

Thanks for stopping by!

Thanks for reading! If you have any questions, feel free to comment! Do any of you have goats?


This post is part of: Homestead Barn Hop