Goats

We started with 5 goats on 5 July 2006. 2 kids were born on 15 July 2006.

Some History of Goats

Goats were one of the very first animals to be domesticated by humans, some 10,000 years ago.

Goats are seasonal breeders.  This results in seasonal milk production (resulting in less milk and less profit) so commercial farmers stimulate goats to breed out of season by the administration of hormones or the change of light to induce ovulation.   There is no way that we will think of doing anything of the kind but just putting it down here so you can see the madness that humans do.

Goats usually produce 2 kids and once these babies have had 24 hours feeding from their mothers they are removed and reared using artificial teats so that the milk can be sold for human consumption.  Fibre producing breeds are usually reared by their mothers until 12-14 weeks of age.

A goat can drink from 1 to 4 gallons of water a day depending on its physiological state.   Uncontrolled populations of domesticated goats have contributed to deforestation and desertification around the world, causing considerable damage to fragile environments.

 

Latest Kid Born in July 2007