As someone who has had goats for two decades and have had many different breeds in that time. I will say that for your purposes, I would recommend to get "scrub goats". These are mature mixed breed goats. 3 Whethers with horns are ideal to start. The cheaper the better because this is after all an experiment. I think if you take Toby dog up with you every day for moo chores and leave him up there to eat while you go down to do duck chores. Go back up and get him and return him to the duck yard. This way he feels good about being up there for short stints, and that he is rewarded by returning him back to his comfort zone. If you do this repeatedly he will eventually become conditioned to being more comfortable up there.
I fully agree with you on the goat choices! Mixed breed wethers with horns. I have a small herd of Nigerian dwarves made up of a dam, sire (now wethered), and their 3 yearling kids - 1 doe and 2 wethers. They don't touch the milkweed in my yard and they're trained to come to the sound of me shaking an old peanut butter jar with alfalfa pellets in it. Their pen is tee posts with 2x4 no climb at 4 feet tall. I've never had one escape over the fence but goats will result crawl under if they find a loose spot. My goats forage successfully with the chickens all the time but especially if you have some larger goats you can rotate them through with your cattle as well. For the orchard, if you train them to the treats like many do then you can take them into the orchard for SUPERVISED browsing. I will regularly take mine to certain areas where they need watched more carefully and as soon as they start acting up I shake the treat bucket and walk away to the next spot and they follow.
As someone with goats who is starting on a fence repair project this weekend (hint, hint...it ain't the first time), get small goats, get female goats (males...OMG!), get no climb fencing (4x4 squares), wood posts and keep them away from your fruit trees (they will eat the bark and kill the trees). And find other goat keepers in your area to find out about the parasite load in your area and what dewormer works best. Also goat hooves have to be trimmed regularly unless they have rocks to climb on where they can wear them down themselves. And keep the rocks away from the fence otherwise...boing they go! Good luck.
Oh...and goats require shelter. It's a must. They hate rain and need somewhere to get out of it. Even on a hot day, they can get hypothermic in the rain. Not sure about snow (I'm in Florida so that's not an issue), but they have to have shelter.
🎉 We just started with goats this year. Everyone warned us about what great escape artists they are. 3 months later, they've never tried. We bought 2 does, 1 wether. Nigerian dwarf. 4 foot sheep/goat woven wire fencing. They are content in their space.
@@lisam5744 do you have only myotonic goats or different breeds? There will always be a special 1 lol but of the different breeds they have reputation for least likely to even try to escape. I knew a full grown cow (only 1 ) that loved to jump the pasture fence and would always stay with the group but on the outside of the fencing lol. Special personalities of animals make long lasting memories.
Family friends in Alabama were hog farmers and they got a billy goat named Ben. Ben lived with the pigs and was their protector as well as keeping down kudzu and other weeds. He actually died from defending his pigs from a pack of dogs. Ben was sorely missed.
Toby is older he loves his life down near the house and the high tunnel. I wouldn't force a change on him. He is so happy down where he has always been. 💜
I had a friend back in Tennessee, he had 4 nanny goats. He uses them for human babies. He would freeze the milk. In quart size jars. Rhe Mamas would wash our the jars. When he got the jars back he would sterilize team. He never charge the mama. Some of the mamas got him the news lids.
Morgan that goldenrod on your pasture is beneficial for your honey bees. Especially in the fall when other plants have lost their blooms. The nectar and pollen are essential. 😊
It may not be beneficial for /his/ bees. Bees forage up to a couple miles and they collect nectar and pollen on the way back to the hive so they often don't collect anything from flowers near the hive. That being said, his goldenrod WOULD be good for other bees so it's still good to keep around.
Your friend Jess of Roots and Refuge would suggest only buying goats from a reputable seller, and would mostly frown on facebook marketplace unless you were able to learn more about the seller and verify that they were raised properly and won't be arriving with diseases and other issues.
Having grown up with goats. Start with a limited number. They eat everything and are great at keeping bushes in check. But when they find a hole in the fence, not only will they escape, but they will return to get their friends through the hole as well...
Poor Toby - let him stay with his birds - he loves it down there and can see the whole farm. He would think it a punishment and he is so good - he doesn't deserve that !
Oh and to cut down on foot trimming, make a platform with roofing shingles on it. They will jump up and walk on it and play on it and it files down the hooves like sandpaper.
I love goats too, but I know that they can change the dynamics on your farm in immense ways. Your farm is thriving, permaculture and all. Usually it takes one small change to alter the overall structure which is one of my concerns regarding you and your farm. I'm rooting for this change, but I just want to warn you to be careful, and stay vigilant. Best of luck to Gold Shaw Farm.
Btw, your channel is the only one I consistently watch. Mostly I just pick and choose videos for knowledge. But you are so honest and so sweet (old lady here), that I just stay interested in what you're up to, as if you were a friend. Amazing job.
Grew up with goats. They are escape artist. They also eat and climb on everything. If trained well they will give you milk on a stand and can be pretty affectionate. Goat milk is really creamy and the cheese is so good.
Goats are renowned for their remarkable escape artistry, a trait that has fascinated animal enthusiasts and farmers alike. With their agile bodies and curious minds, these animals can seemingly defy barriers that would contain other livestock. Their ability to climb, jump, and squeeze through tight spaces makes them adept at finding their way out of pens and fences. Whether it's scaling a seemingly insurmountable wall or slipping through a small gap, goats' relentless curiosity and clever problem-solving skills often turn them into skilled escape artists. This behavior is not just a quest for freedom but also a reflection of their intelligent and adventurous nature.
Firstly, always glad to see you in good spirits and the farm doing well Morgan! Second-- that was a katydid, not a mantis :P As far as goats go, I might suggest Alpine goats. They get pretty big as far as goats go so it'll be less likely a predator can just pick one off. Plus, you could milk them if you want but they can pull carts and heavy loads! They're pretty cool and come in neat colors.
Toby is the best dog ever…He deserves all the love and care he can get…I’d love to have a dog like him…A real best friend…Respectful, responsible…I would have him by my side always…I would keep him well-groomed as often as possible.
When I was young we had two goats as pets but also to help keep our 1/4 acre backyard clean. My mother struggled with a cancer diagnosis for two decades and my father was the sole financial provider. I think my grandparents gifted them to us to help with the upkeep. They did their job and we LOVED them dearly. They were sweet and got super excited whenever we came out to see them. Made the cutest noises and happy prancing and skipping around. They were like dogs who ate weeds and sticks. They nuzzled us and were very affectionate. We had Nubians. Valleygirl and Totally were their names. It was the 80s, we were kids and we got to name them. 😂 I don’t know Morgan…..you might be surprised at how much you grow to adore them because you really do care so much for your animals. I’m predicting a new found love for these animals.
Abby might actually do well with the goats. They can give her good contra, unlike the birds. She loves the calves and might thrive as a goat protector. Toby is a fantastic poultry dog. He would be a great assett staying there
I wouldn't worry so much about the milkweed. I have it all over my place and the goats don't touch it. The most I've seen them do is sniff it and then turn their noses up at it. If they have enough to munch on they are pretty good at not eating on the stuff that is bad for them. You would want to have them in a pretty big space with electric netting. As long as they have things to snack on they're not too interested in getting out. But a bored goat will find a way!
At the end of the day, lovely as Abbey can be, you have to get used to the idea that in practical terms you have only one real livestock guardian dog. Clearly the solution is to get another fluffy white farm dog. :)
I agree with you. While I absolutely love Abby, she still can't be trusted alone which defeats the purpose of her being a LGD. My heart sank when he said he was thinking of moving him to the cattle, he loves his birds. But your right, he's the only one that can be trusted to do his job. I do think he should get another dog, perhaps a female that already has some training so he knows it would work this time around. But he can't bring another dog in without risking Abby potentially teaching them bad habits. So she would have to be relocated, preferably at the home. Abby makes for a wonderful companion dog. Morgan really is in a tough spot with that.
@@LadyAvallyn I don't envy Morgan on this, but I suspect you're right. Her instincts just aren't suited to the task she was intended for and after a certain point, it becomes a matter of trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Ultimately not good for anyone involved. She does seem to make a genuinely great companion however.
Are you people right in the head? He's already struggling training Abby and you want him to get another dog in the mix? That seems to me like a comment made out of the want to see cute dogs on screen and not to actually give advice to a struggling LGD owner.
@@ballinboxer3676 he has a split property. There's a reason he got a second dog, and unfortunately despite his best efforts it's been a struggle. If you read my comment I don't recommend a puppy at all. I don't think that would help in any way. It truly comes down to logistics. Taking all the emotion out of it, he wants a LGD with his cattle and another with his birds. Abby, despite the great effort on Morgan's part and as much as we've all been rooting for her, just doesn't seem to be able to truly be an independent LGD. She has proven to be a great house companion. Suggesting an already trained or partially trained female LGD would bypass a lot of issues imo. But that's what it is, my opinion. It's not fact, and I'm sure there are tons of other things at play that we are not privy too. It's just something to think about. I immensely enjoy this channel and have followed it for years. Morgan personally has inspired my family to try and build things, even though we are scared to and have no experience. I wish nothing but the best for his farm, family, and his town in Vermont. Sending love to you and all the followers ❤️
She's done the job before tho. Like literally she's been up with the cows, and even got hurt defending the farm before. As for her teaching bad habits... You could honestly just not include her in training sessions, but seeing how Toby has taught her, but she has not taught Toby, I'm not sure it's warranted worry. Tho I will say it seems like a not great idea to have to be training a dog, and cram that in before getting goats, or having to do it while learning goats.
Goats will be a fun adventure for the channel, and challenge for you! Haha As for the Toby in the upper pasture situation? I dont think its a good idea. As helpful as it may be for territory marking, he def wont be happy up there full time. I think a compromise would be to take him up at each "Changing of the Cows" (pasture change) to let him get used to up there and let him understand its part of the farm without just leaving him up there one day.
The city I live in rented goats to do some landscaping at one of our boat launches along the river... They did an amazing job!!! And just think, at Christmas, your neighbors can drop off their trees for them!!! 😊😊😊
If you get a donkey you need one already familiar with dogs or they might kill your dog or get a weanling or yearling. That wasn't a praying mantis you saw on the milkweed it was a Katydids that you don't want as they much on your plants.
With goats, you need to make sure you lock them up at night. In some sort of housing structure. We built one out of pallets and they seem to really enjoy it.
One option for a guardian for your goats would be a donkey, especially one that has been used in that capacity previously. They are extremely protective of their herds (I’ve seen instances where they even protect chicken flocks). They will not allow any sort of predators in their space, and if you’re wanting to use the goats as a clean up crew for your pastures and brushy areas a donkey could easily contribute to those ends as well. Just a thought I had while watching! Can’t wait to meet the new babies!! I’m excited to see how you handle the new additions!
Your dogs are adult, so probably safe, but just a note. I rescue fostered a 1-year old 80# Pyr pup whose throat was permanently damaged by a goat butting him. His bark was more of a cough after that. Great Pyrenees are gentle with livestock; this one would stand and watch the cat take over his food bowl. So it wasn't his fault; it was those blankety-blank goats.
Morgan, long time goat keeper here and neighbor of yours, let me know if you have questions or issues. I've probably seen it all at this point. I have 19 goats at the moment. Yes, you are right, coyotes are a problem for goats and milkweed is too.
And yes they will steal your heart. I would like to also second that you should start with the small ones. Nigerian Dwarf goats are easier to deal with. I have extras if you are interested, I also have a network of breeders I deal with who I can recommend. The goats would like those apples too.
I raised Nigerian dwarfs for years. Very sweet and charming if raised correctly but they can be escape ARTISTS. Goats are a whole lot easier to milk than cattle. If you’re wanting goats for milk, I recommend Nubians. They’re a larger breed but in my own experience they tend not to escape like the dwarfs. If you’re not wanting to milk I would reccomend Kiko goats, they’re primarily for grazing and meat.
@@kristinjacobsen3417 the goaty flavor comes from not getting the milk cold quickly, nothing to do with breed. Friendliness is also dependent of the individual, no breed is friendlier than the next. My Nubians are love bugs.
Morgan's MO *I'm not getting a LSGD... Gets 2 *I'm not getting pigs... gets pigs but kinda hates them... gets pigs a second year. *I'm not a cat person... eagerly seeks out cats knowing an allergic reaction will return *I HATE goats... I'll get goats if we can raise a butt ton of money... agrees to get goats at a lower monetary goal AND admits he's excited about it. Anything is possible at Gold Shaw Farm.🤣💗🐐
goats sometimes eat milkweed, but if there is otherwise enough to eat instead of milkweed, they don`t eat enough to poisen themselves. but if you want to minimise the risk of poisening your goats you could start cutting the milkweed down after your cattle grased through it to prevent it from spreadng moe and more each year. it also would result in helping the growth of the food your cattle prefer eating and regarding your fear for your trees. goats are used to help trees and forests, because they eat all the underbrush around the trees. so you only need to fear for yor you small trees or low hanging branches. for the more mature tees it is actually beneficial to let goats eat around them.
I have seen goats clear out sections of woody brush. I would be concerned too. Sheep don’t get on their hind legs to like goats do. But sheep eat the same things the goats do.
@@ks_hunter7327 because of that i said he need to fear for the small trees but not mature ones. they eat a lot of the young branches they can get too, but if the tree is old an tall enough they eat everything around it wich helps the trees . some of his trees are already big enough to not interest goats but the others are still to small.
Morgan, Instead of moving Toby dog..... take him with you evey time you move the cows. You take care of the cows & chickens and Toby marks everywhere. Then he goes back to his birds. :)
You might reach out to Blue Cactus Dairy Goats and Weed 'em & Reap. They both know a lot about maintaining good Nigerian dwarf goat herds, health of the breed, etc or they can direct you to some good basic goat care sources. They're a smaller breed, but that may be good if you're worried about fence height. I know Blue Cactus has sold some goats to people in the Northeast so maybe they can connect you to some experienced goat owners in your area. (I think Weed 'em & Reap has also had other goat breeds so you could ask them about breed differences)
Fence off the rows of trees in the permaculture orchard. Err on the side of a bit bigger area. There's already milkweed there. Transplant more. Chop & drop all vegetation and uproot grass under the drip edge (full canopy) of every tree. That's the only maintenance it will need. Keep a small area around each tree clear, let the fenced meadow grow tall. Take as much milkweed as you can out of the main pasture as transplant, then chop the tops of the rest and collect as compost. This will give you 3/4 as much total milkweed next season, with a lot less in your main pastures.
Goldenrod is a good nectar source for bees. We have the European goldenrod here in Finland, but it is not nearly as much abundance as the goldenrod species in the U.S. I think I would actually love to see as much goldenrod in my meadow as I see in your pasture. Oh, and you can't just move the beehive. The bees will return in the previous place if you move the hive now. You can move it in winter, when they don't fly and kind of forget where they live so they need to re orientate in the next spring.
Hey Morgan, I have been watching your videos for a while now and find myself checking daily to see new ones. I have learned a lot from your ventures in farming and look forward to learning more!! Thank you for choosing to allow us to waddle along with you.
Alfred is a national treasure and must be protected at all costs! The spongebob version is AWESOME!❤🎉 About the goats. I sure think Toby needs a doggy buddy if on upper pature. Maybe be a shelter to lock them in at night? Or a donkey. Get two donkeys.
Burros and llamas (or alpacas) are excellent foils for predators. Burros don't necessarily require a buddy on patrol, though it's just a nice thing to do for them. Llamas and alpacas, however, do need a partner. P.S. I'm a bigger fan of llamas simply based on personal experience, though I do like alpacas. P.P.S. you can also try sheep for your cleanup crew. Go with Dorpers or other breeds that dont require shearing. They're really lovely animals.
Donkeys are well known to keep coyotes out of pastures and protection the flocks, check them out as guards. Thanks for being lively and entertaining too
I fought my husband on getting goats. I caved when he told me he’d found 3 goats that were going to a pepperoni factory if they didn’t sell. Now I can’t imagine life without them. I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma shortly after getting them so when I feel sad I hangout with Todd, Joe and Ralph. You cannot not be happy when you spend time with goats, they are so funny. We have zero problems with them escaping, we let them out to roam and they won’t leave. They usually end up at the house looking in the door.
my first two school years, where I went to school there was this old stable; behind it a creek. Across the creek, past some cement pipes and a small flood plain (after the old treehouse came down), was the entrance to a jungle mountain path. standing between us kids and adventure though, (aside from real danger) was the MEANEST Billy goat I've ever encountered. And yes, he was tethered because otherwise he would cross the creek and terrorize everyone. He had the reach of his little 'island', and that was it. We tried to have a picnic on the island one weekend my first year as part of some unit on exploring the natural world. He was supposed to be tied up elsewhere and he just, suddenly, wasn't. Ornery as he was though, the general consensus became that he kept the tigers away. Aside from the smell, though, I really haven't had too many bad goat encounters since. Seriously, they stink.
It's encouraging to see you be so honest about how you can challenge your convictions and, perhaps, prejudices (in this case goats) and reconsider. I think that is a valuable lesson for all of us.
Have you considered clipping the pastures behind the cattle? There are weeds I am seeing, like Dog Bane Hemp, that is very poisonous. You can't mow it away, but you can stop it from spreading its seed.
Morgan, Monarch butterflies spin their cacoons on milkweed plants in particular. Maybe you could save most of the plants to an area free of your goats. We do need the Monarchs; they are so beautiful to see.
He has that high meadow beyond the fence (you see it on his trail cam - there have been deer, yotes, a bear, and I think even a bobcat once) - so while it might seem like he's potentially clearing a lot, there's a ton elsewhere on his farm that's safe and will be unmolested.
Hi Morgan, Everyone is going to have a favorite goat breed, but there's only one breed that will not try to escape or climb, and that is my favorite attribute of the Myotonic "Fainting" Goat breed. They are the perfect goat for a homestead. They come in 3 varieties and all colors: long haired Silkie variety, regular and Miniature varieties. There are breed associations and registration for blood lines, but even non-registered animals are friendly and great at eating poison ivy and prickly awful pasture weeds! Good Luck! Remember, goats are herd animals, get at least 3. :)
Remember that your goats will need hoof trimming 2-4x per year. The more corn you feed, the more hoof they'll grow. Also, they'll need CDT shots and worming (don't skimp on regular worming), and probably other mineral shots to offset deficiencies in your soil. Goats will need more healthcare than any of your other animals. They go downhill quickly when sick. Some say goats have a death wish, therefore, you'll need a schedule of shots and care. The fencing you have will be perfect for Myotonic goats.
600 Trees! Dang. You should be proud indeed. I tried pea-shrub here in colorado 'cause they're supposed to be tough, and they are nitrogen fixers like clover, but they didn't do well at all. Oh well. They have thorns. Who needs 'em.
Here in Australia, there are people who are starting to use goats to clear out blackberries and other invasive plants that no other animals will touch. They do an amazing job at removing weeds and brush. So maybe rather than having them follow the cattle (which would involve constantly setting up difficult fencing), you could use them in tandem with the pigs to clear out the forest areas.
I like to ride my bike on an old railroad that’s now a bike path. It’s beautiful on that ride. You pass by a goat farm and every once in a while they escape and they are on the bike path. Lol
If I did wait until I watched the whole video to comment there would be be no comments because everything I questioned was answered. So everyone should start commenting 30 seconds in because that actually helps his ch.
Premier 1 net for goats is excellent, we use the poultry net. Potential issue of keeping goats and chickens together is the grain for the chickens could cause bloat in goats if they get too much. Grain is especially tricky with male goats.
Just a note that milkweed plants are used by the monarch butterfly, now under threat, for laying their eggs. Maybe consider protecting them and the monarchs?
Might be worth with Toby taking him out on a leash using treats that way he begins to associate it positively, might help make things easier if he needs the vet or groomers too, same with getting him in the truck, he's such a good boy and really loves what he does ♥
We all have our comfort zone, I wish I had such strong convictions and didnt let circumstnaces blow me about like a leaf -love Tobydog xx And OF COURSE all the barcats and etc and Abbydog love you all xxx
I had American Alpine milk goats and enjoyed milking & making yoghurt & cheese. A farmer friend asked me to keep her Nubians for a week while she was gone. I came home to find them on the roof of the house! The Alpines were docile and much easier to manage. They kept the Asian blackberries to a reasonable level & kept the electric fence line free of weeds. I had the Alpines in my mature orchard and they were NOT a problem. My New Zealand electric fencing kept the Alpines confined. However, the Nubians and the Angoras jumped everything but a 2 meter hot fence! I suggest getting American Alpines. You need not milk them. However, there is a good market for goat milk products from soap to yoghurt.
Spongebob's New "Campfire Song" Song ... "My Buddy Alfred" I don't know much about farming, but I do agree to get a pair of small goat breed. You need to set the purpose of the goats: are you also harvest goat milk? or are you just raising for meat?
goats once ate my hat & broom & knocked over my ladder when i was up on a low roof painting ~ it took me a lot of counting one two three before i could jump down ~
I told you to get goats an age ago. You will love them for their ability to clear the most untamed of environments. All those fields with thick twitch and brambles will be clear in no time.
Perhaps the goats would do well in a wooded pasture off to the side near the pigs (or even with the pigs) with the rock wall and perhaps downed trees to climb on and keep their hooves trimmed. They’re great at opening up dense thickets but they’d wreak havoc on the cattle pastures and the permaculture orchard. It may mean installing a permanent fence through the woods instead of simple electric string.
Owned goats for over five years, love them! As others have said, they are good escape artists, they are also susceptible to parasites so be aware of that as well. Good luck!
I really hope you read this Morgan because I really really think it’s going to help you. I’ve been involved with goats for so many years if you want to make a genuine profit with them, you are going to want to start out with registered goats my friend is able to sell her goats for 1000+ for one kid. If you’re just starting out, I really only recommend getting Nigerian Dwarf goats that are ADGA registered. Nigerian Dwarf goats are extremely easy to handle. They should not be getting any bigger than 24 inches tall and are very easy to keep. They do not eat a lot at all and typically don’t escape often as long as they’re fencing as nice and secure. I have had Nigerian Dwarf goats, Alpine, Nubians, boers and fainting goats. And the Nigerian Dwarf goats are truly the best option you can possibly have. Another thing is, you must get goats without horns whether they be polled (naturally hornless) or disbudded. Like I said, I’ve been raising goats for so many years now I can’t tell you how many goats I have had die from their horns whether they have caused a serious injury to another goat and even children or have gotten their heads stuck in the fences. If you genuinely want to have more information, I would love to be your mentor. I can answer any question you possibly have and I can be there for you throughout the duration of you owning goats. Nothing would make me happier than pointing you in the right direction and see you thrive and be successful. Our Pine Creek Nigerians we are in Michigan if you ever come down our way next, I would be more than happy to sell a few goats for you to start out with. I raise my kids with poultry, people, dogs, and of course other goats. All of the goats I have here are completely distance ties to all of that especially with the dogs and people my goats will follow you around like a dog does. They are also clean tested, which is extremely important if you want to get into goats, my goats tested negative for various different diseases that may be able to pass on to poultry or cattle so that’s something. You really want to be careful with as well I’ll just put this out here, but my Facebook is Romelia Seymour or pine creek Nigerians if you’d like to message me on either. I would be more than happy to answer. Any questions you have and start you off in the right directions so you have the best chance of successfully raising these animals. A lot of farmers can agree. Goats can be more difficult than cattle because they require typically more care just to make sure they stay in tiptop shape.
Honestly, the idea of him getting goats is stressing me out. 😅The comments aren’t helping, either. I’m very invested in his orchard and concerned about what will happen to it. But it’s his farm, and I get that he’s honoring his word. I guess I hope he goes for the plan of putting them between his and his neighbor’s farm. But I wish him luck, and I will try to just enjoy the cute and the chaos. 😂
As someone who has had goats for two decades and have had many different breeds in that time. I will say that for your purposes, I would recommend to get "scrub goats". These are mature mixed breed goats. 3 Whethers with horns are ideal to start. The cheaper the better because this is after all an experiment. I think if you take Toby dog up with you every day for moo chores and leave him up there to eat while you go down to do duck chores. Go back up and get him and return him to the duck yard. This way he feels good about being up there for short stints, and that he is rewarded by returning him back to his comfort zone. If you do this repeatedly he will eventually become conditioned to being more comfortable up there.
Just here to say brilliant goat knowledge and spot-on for getting the best of both worlds from and for Toby dog!
I fully agree with you on the goat choices! Mixed breed wethers with horns. I have a small herd of Nigerian dwarves made up of a dam, sire (now wethered), and their 3 yearling kids - 1 doe and 2 wethers. They don't touch the milkweed in my yard and they're trained to come to the sound of me shaking an old peanut butter jar with alfalfa pellets in it. Their pen is tee posts with 2x4 no climb at 4 feet tall. I've never had one escape over the fence but goats will result crawl under if they find a loose spot.
My goats forage successfully with the chickens all the time but especially if you have some larger goats you can rotate them through with your cattle as well.
For the orchard, if you train them to the treats like many do then you can take them into the orchard for SUPERVISED browsing. I will regularly take mine to certain areas where they need watched more carefully and as soon as they start acting up I shake the treat bucket and walk away to the next spot and they follow.
I could never forget my buddy Alfred because EVERYBODY needs a friend like him!
Alfred has crazy skillz -- a dying breed for sure.
@@cindyn7512 maybe mr farmer should get a herd of alfreds ~
I could use a 'My hubby Alfred' haha
Where is his pod cast?
As someone with goats who is starting on a fence repair project this weekend (hint, hint...it ain't the first time), get small goats, get female goats (males...OMG!), get no climb fencing (4x4 squares), wood posts and keep them away from your fruit trees (they will eat the bark and kill the trees). And find other goat keepers in your area to find out about the parasite load in your area and what dewormer works best. Also goat hooves have to be trimmed regularly unless they have rocks to climb on where they can wear them down themselves. And keep the rocks away from the fence otherwise...boing they go! Good luck.
Goats sound like a lot of work, but there are few things cuter or more personable than baby goats.
@@CassieDavis613baby MINI goats?
@@Indigoturtle4581 is there such a thing? sometimes mini this and that is advertised so you will buy it..........not mini.
Oh...and goats require shelter. It's a must. They hate rain and need somewhere to get out of it. Even on a hot day, they can get hypothermic in the rain. Not sure about snow (I'm in Florida so that's not an issue), but they have to have shelter.
@@CassieDavis613 Baby goats are like puppies...a trap.
🎉 We just started with goats this year. Everyone warned us about what great escape artists they are. 3 months later, they've never tried. We bought 2 does, 1 wether. Nigerian dwarf. 4 foot sheep/goat woven wire fencing. They are content in their space.
Just giving you a heads up goats are very good escape artists…..
myotonic goats not so much escape artists as they stiffen up when getting excited. so they just don't try much
OMG...yes they are. We have one we call Houdini.
14:45 "who are renounced escape artists" i think he knows
@@lisam5744 do you have only myotonic goats or different breeds? There will always be a special 1 lol but of the different breeds they have reputation for least likely to even try to escape. I knew a full grown cow (only 1 ) that loved to jump the pasture fence and would always stay with the group but on the outside of the fencing lol. Special personalities of animals make long lasting memories.
45% of named goats are named Houdini. Source: Trust me bro
Tobi is an expert, a professional, very serious, maremma prime material. Abby is a little present from the heavens.
so well said
Family friends in Alabama were hog farmers and they got a billy goat named Ben. Ben lived with the pigs and was their protector as well as keeping down kudzu and other weeds. He actually died from defending his pigs from a pack of dogs. Ben was sorely missed.
Did the dogs eat Ben or did the pigs?
@@Farmerboy5 no, he fought them off and died of his injuries the next day
@@LoriMorris-s7mwhat a brave guy. Goats are honestly such smart and brave creatures.
Rest in peace, Ben.
Toby is older he loves his life down near the house and the high tunnel. I wouldn't force a change on him. He is so happy down where he has always been. 💜
I had a friend back in Tennessee, he had 4 nanny goats. He uses them for human babies. He would freeze the milk. In quart size jars. Rhe Mamas would wash our the jars. When he got the jars back he would sterilize team. He never charge the mama. Some of the mamas got him the news lids.
How can i ever forget my buddy Alfred.
The song occasionally gets stuck in my head out of nowhere
Morgan that goldenrod on your pasture is beneficial for your honey bees. Especially in the fall when other plants have lost their blooms. The nectar and pollen are essential. 😊
Yes - was also going to tell him that.
Only problem is it spreads like crazy.
It may not be beneficial for /his/ bees. Bees forage up to a couple miles and they collect nectar and pollen on the way back to the hive so they often don't collect anything from flowers near the hive. That being said, his goldenrod WOULD be good for other bees so it's still good to keep around.
And, it and giant ragweed are the plants my goats go for first! They love it!
Hey Morgan. I'm sorry to tell you, that wasn't a mantis. It was a katydid
I came here to say this 😂
Oh, no! Katy did…n’t.
What did Katy do this time🤔
Why are you sorry?
I was coming to the comments to say the same thing. You beat me to it.
Your friend Jess of Roots and Refuge would suggest only buying goats from a reputable seller, and would mostly frown on facebook marketplace unless you were able to learn more about the seller and verify that they were raised properly and won't be arriving with diseases and other issues.
Morgan, not only are you a great storyteller and have a great heart, you're also a good sport!
Having grown up with goats. Start with a limited number. They eat everything and are great at keeping bushes in check. But when they find a hole in the fence, not only will they escape, but they will return to get their friends through the hole as well...
😂😂
Poor Toby - let him stay with his birds - he loves it down there and can see the whole farm. He would think it a punishment and he is so good - he doesn't deserve that !
Toby is the perfect farm dog. Abby is the perfect lap dog. 😂
If you get mommas and baby goats, your wife will freak out. Baby goats are the cutest things on the face of the Earth. ❤
Hippity-hop-hippity-hop-hop-hop!🤩
Lambs have entered the chat
Except for kittens😸
@@mollyragdollfan1917 I have cats. I love cats. Baby goats still win.
@@rewalos5077 also very cute.
Oh and to cut down on foot trimming, make a platform with roofing shingles on it. They will jump up and walk on it and play on it and it files down the hooves like sandpaper.
I love goats too, but I know that they can change the dynamics on your farm in immense ways. Your farm is thriving, permaculture and all. Usually it takes one small change to alter the overall structure which is one of my concerns regarding you and your farm. I'm rooting for this change, but I just want to warn you to be careful, and stay vigilant. Best of luck to Gold Shaw Farm.
Btw, your channel is the only one I consistently watch. Mostly I just pick and choose videos for knowledge. But you are so honest and so sweet (old lady here), that I just stay interested in what you're up to, as if you were a friend. Amazing job.
Grew up with goats. They are escape artist. They also eat and climb on everything. If trained well they will give you milk on a stand and can be pretty affectionate. Goat milk is really creamy and the cheese is so good.
Make soap too.
goat cheese with honey on toast...
Makes great soap too
Depends on the breed
goats milk ice cream makes regular ice cream taste like sherbet its so rich ~
Please keep Toby where he is. That area is his pride. Dont take it away.
and also his established flock to protect
Goats are renowned for their remarkable escape artistry, a trait that has fascinated animal enthusiasts and farmers alike. With their agile bodies and curious minds, these animals can seemingly defy barriers that would contain other livestock. Their ability to climb, jump, and squeeze through tight spaces makes them adept at finding their way out of pens and fences. Whether it's scaling a seemingly insurmountable wall or slipping through a small gap, goats' relentless curiosity and clever problem-solving skills often turn them into skilled escape artists. This behavior is not just a quest for freedom but also a reflection of their intelligent and adventurous nature.
Firstly, always glad to see you in good spirits and the farm doing well Morgan! Second-- that was a katydid, not a mantis :P As far as goats go, I might suggest Alpine goats. They get pretty big as far as goats go so it'll be less likely a predator can just pick one off. Plus, you could milk them if you want but they can pull carts and heavy loads! They're pretty cool and come in neat colors.
Something tells me TobyDog would be Happiest where he is,I've been watching since he was a pup,Please keep him with the Birds...Thanks..!
Toby is the best dog ever…He deserves all the love and care he can get…I’d love to have a dog like him…A real best friend…Respectful, responsible…I would have him by my side always…I would keep him well-groomed as often as possible.
When I was young we had two goats as pets but also to help keep our 1/4 acre backyard clean. My mother struggled with a cancer diagnosis for two decades and my father was the sole financial provider. I think my grandparents gifted them to us to help with the upkeep. They did their job and we LOVED them dearly. They were sweet and got super excited whenever we came out to see them. Made the cutest noises and happy prancing and skipping around. They were like dogs who ate weeds and sticks. They nuzzled us and were very affectionate. We had Nubians. Valleygirl and Totally were their names. It was the 80s, we were kids and we got to name them. 😂 I don’t know Morgan…..you might be surprised at how much you grow to adore them because you really do care so much for your animals. I’m predicting a new found love for these animals.
Abby might actually do well with the goats. They can give her good contra, unlike the birds. She loves the calves and might thrive as a goat protector.
Toby is a fantastic poultry dog. He would be a great assett staying there
I was thinking the same thing. Abby would like the goats. They have a lot of personality. Abby would be excellent at watching/playing with them.
I wouldn't worry so much about the milkweed. I have it all over my place and the goats don't touch it. The most I've seen them do is sniff it and then turn their noses up at it. If they have enough to munch on they are pretty good at not eating on the stuff that is bad for them. You would want to have them in a pretty big space with electric netting. As long as they have things to snack on they're not too interested in getting out. But a bored goat will find a way!
At the end of the day, lovely as Abbey can be, you have to get used to the idea that in practical terms you have only one real livestock guardian dog.
Clearly the solution is to get another fluffy white farm dog. :)
I agree with you. While I absolutely love Abby, she still can't be trusted alone which defeats the purpose of her being a LGD. My heart sank when he said he was thinking of moving him to the cattle, he loves his birds. But your right, he's the only one that can be trusted to do his job.
I do think he should get another dog, perhaps a female that already has some training so he knows it would work this time around. But he can't bring another dog in without risking Abby potentially teaching them bad habits. So she would have to be relocated, preferably at the home. Abby makes for a wonderful companion dog. Morgan really is in a tough spot with that.
@@LadyAvallyn I don't envy Morgan on this, but I suspect you're right. Her instincts just aren't suited to the task she was intended for and after a certain point, it becomes a matter of trying to force a square peg into a round hole. Ultimately not good for anyone involved.
She does seem to make a genuinely great companion however.
Are you people right in the head? He's already struggling training Abby and you want him to get another dog in the mix? That seems to me like a comment made out of the want to see cute dogs on screen and not to actually give advice to a struggling LGD owner.
@@ballinboxer3676 he has a split property. There's a reason he got a second dog, and unfortunately despite his best efforts it's been a struggle. If you read my comment I don't recommend a puppy at all. I don't think that would help in any way.
It truly comes down to logistics. Taking all the emotion out of it, he wants a LGD with his cattle and another with his birds. Abby, despite the great effort on Morgan's part and as much as we've all been rooting for her, just doesn't seem to be able to truly be an independent LGD. She has proven to be a great house companion.
Suggesting an already trained or partially trained female LGD would bypass a lot of issues imo. But that's what it is, my opinion. It's not fact, and I'm sure there are tons of other things at play that we are not privy too. It's just something to think about. I immensely enjoy this channel and have followed it for years. Morgan personally has inspired my family to try and build things, even though we are scared to and have no experience. I wish nothing but the best for his farm, family, and his town in Vermont. Sending love to you and all the followers ❤️
She's done the job before tho. Like literally she's been up with the cows, and even got hurt defending the farm before. As for her teaching bad habits... You could honestly just not include her in training sessions, but seeing how Toby has taught her, but she has not taught Toby, I'm not sure it's warranted worry. Tho I will say it seems like a not great idea to have to be training a dog, and cram that in before getting goats, or having to do it while learning goats.
🤣Oh, the foresight you had "I will never ever ever ever ever get goats, and if I ever get goats, I'll probably play this clip"
Goats will be a fun adventure for the channel, and challenge for you! Haha
As for the Toby in the upper pasture situation? I dont think its a good idea. As helpful as it may be for territory marking, he def wont be happy up there full time.
I think a compromise would be to take him up at each "Changing of the Cows" (pasture change) to let him get used to up there and let him understand its part of the farm without just leaving him up there one day.
The city I live in rented goats to do some landscaping at one of our boat launches along the river... They did an amazing job!!! And just think, at Christmas, your neighbors can drop off their trees for them!!! 😊😊😊
Maybe you need a donkey for the goats, chickens and cows. They are very protective of their herd.
If you get a donkey you need one already familiar with dogs or they might kill your dog or get a weanling or yearling. That wasn't a praying mantis you saw on the milkweed it was a Katydids that you don't want as they much on your plants.
It might be a better idea to get a third and fourth dog, rather than a donkey due to the animosity between donkeys and dogs.
I just made a similar comment about looking into getting a donkey before I read yours. GMTA and all that. :)
I'd be interested in seeing llamas. Though they also have a thing against dogs.
@passaflora09 Would a mini donkey be any safer? Or just a young one to grow up around the pups?
With goats, you need to make sure you lock them up at night. In some sort of housing structure.
We built one out of pallets and they seem to really enjoy it.
One option for a guardian for your goats would be a donkey, especially one that has been used in that capacity previously. They are extremely protective of their herds (I’ve seen instances where they even protect chicken flocks). They will not allow any sort of predators in their space, and if you’re wanting to use the goats as a clean up crew for your pastures and brushy areas a donkey could easily contribute to those ends as well. Just a thought I had while watching! Can’t wait to meet the new babies!! I’m excited to see how you handle the new additions!
Alfred was the gremlin. I love how you two tease each other.
Your dogs are adult, so probably safe, but just a note. I rescue fostered a 1-year old 80# Pyr pup whose throat was permanently damaged by a goat butting him. His bark was more of a cough after that. Great Pyrenees are gentle with livestock; this one would stand and watch the cat take over his food bowl. So it wasn't his fault; it was those blankety-blank goats.
12:25 this is the cutest shot of you and toby dog ive ever seen, Morgan ! you need this drawn and hung up somewhere or something ITS TOO CUTE.
Morgan, long time goat keeper here and neighbor of yours, let me know if you have questions or issues. I've probably seen it all at this point. I have 19 goats at the moment. Yes, you are right, coyotes are a problem for goats and milkweed is too.
And yes they will steal your heart. I would like to also second that you should start with the small ones. Nigerian Dwarf goats are easier to deal with. I have extras if you are interested, I also have a network of breeders I deal with who I can recommend. The goats would like those apples too.
I raised Nigerian dwarfs for years. Very sweet and charming if raised correctly but they can be escape ARTISTS. Goats are a whole lot easier to milk than cattle. If you’re wanting goats for milk, I recommend Nubians. They’re a larger breed but in my own experience they tend not to escape like the dwarfs. If you’re not wanting to milk I would reccomend Kiko goats, they’re primarily for grazing and meat.
What about Lamancha goat?
@@Sewtiredlamancha are another milk goat breed, but they tend to make even more milk, they are a high production breed. Only get if you want milk.
I care for LaManchas once a week. They're lots friendlier than the nubians at the same farm. Good milk altogether- sweet and not goat-y.
@@ArtsyFarmhe can use the milk for soap.
@@kristinjacobsen3417 the goaty flavor comes from not getting the milk cold quickly, nothing to do with breed. Friendliness is also dependent of the individual, no breed is friendlier than the next. My Nubians are love bugs.
Morgan's MO
*I'm not getting a LSGD... Gets 2
*I'm not getting pigs... gets pigs but kinda hates them... gets pigs a second year.
*I'm not a cat person... eagerly seeks out cats knowing an allergic reaction will return
*I HATE goats... I'll get goats if we can raise a butt ton of money... agrees to get goats at a lower monetary goal AND admits he's excited about it.
Anything is possible at Gold Shaw Farm.🤣💗🐐
I've heard that Donkeys make great LGDs 😂
goats sometimes eat milkweed, but if there is otherwise enough to eat instead of milkweed, they don`t eat enough to poisen themselves. but if you want to minimise the risk of poisening your goats you could start cutting the milkweed down after your cattle grased through it to prevent it from spreadng moe and more each year. it also would result in helping the growth of the food your cattle prefer eating
and regarding your fear for your trees. goats are used to help trees and forests, because they eat all the underbrush around the trees. so you only need to fear for yor you small trees or low hanging branches. for the more mature tees it is actually beneficial to let goats eat around them.
I have seen goats clear out sections of woody brush. I would be concerned too. Sheep don’t get on their hind legs to like goats do. But sheep eat the same things the goats do.
@@ks_hunter7327 because of that i said he need to fear for the small trees but not mature ones. they eat a lot of the young branches they can get too, but if the tree is old an tall enough they eat everything around it wich helps the trees . some of his trees are already big enough to not interest goats but the others are still to small.
My suggestion, get a couple of wethers! If you're not planning to breed or milk, and you just want to see how you like them, that's the way to go!
I LOVE ALFED! I wish I had a dozen friends like him.
Alfred IS a dozen friends! 😂
I wish I had one friend like Alfred.
A dozen Alfreds, what you trying to do, start an army?
@@scriptguru4669 😂😂
@@scriptguru4669 engineer corp
Toby seems much happier with his birds
Toby is such a good dog!
Morgan, Instead of moving Toby dog..... take him with you evey time you move the cows. You take care of the cows & chickens and Toby marks everywhere. Then he goes back to his birds. :)
Toby is just such a bird dog that I’d be sad if he left his bird yard. Abbie might be a good goat dog!
That insect on the milkweed plant is a katydid!
Congratulations on raising 100k Morgan. I'm sure there are plenty of goat folks that will help you 🤗 Monarch butterfly caterpillar love milkweed.
Don’t forget a shelter as they really hate getting wet😊
The swales have made pretty great progess in the past year! Great to see the trees and bushes filling out.
That buddy Alfred!! What can you do but smile, smile, smile. ⭐️
You might reach out to Blue Cactus Dairy Goats and Weed 'em & Reap. They both know a lot about maintaining good Nigerian dwarf goat herds, health of the breed, etc or they can direct you to some good basic goat care sources. They're a smaller breed, but that may be good if you're worried about fence height. I know Blue Cactus has sold some goats to people in the Northeast so maybe they can connect you to some experienced goat owners in your area.
(I think Weed 'em & Reap has also had other goat breeds so you could ask them about breed differences)
Goats are pretty goated though.
But yeah. I think you're going to get a crash course in fence improvement.
Get a donkey or a llama to guard the goats! I worked at a dairy goat operation and that worked like a charm.
Just get a llama! Forget the goats.
Morgan Don’t rearrange Toby! He does such a great job and has proven himself effective. Ie: it ain’t broken so don’t fix it !!!!
Indeed, it would just stress out Toby
@@defeqel6537 he didn't seem very stressed.
Agreed! Let Sherrif Toby go up to the pasture to mark his territory, but let him stay with his birds!
@@mikemanning5019 the way he was waiting there at the gate, panting heavily suggests stress to me
@@defeqel6537 Well you don't know dogs.
Fence off the rows of trees in the permaculture orchard. Err on the side of a bit bigger area. There's already milkweed there. Transplant more. Chop & drop all vegetation and uproot grass under the drip edge (full canopy) of every tree. That's the only maintenance it will need. Keep a small area around each tree clear, let the fenced meadow grow tall. Take as much milkweed as you can out of the main pasture as transplant, then chop the tops of the rest and collect as compost. This will give you 3/4 as much total milkweed next season, with a lot less in your main pastures.
Toby was so confused, and then happy to be back in the coop.
Milkweed plants are very important for Monarch butterflies. Good, you mentioned it later.
Goldenrod is a good nectar source for bees. We have the European goldenrod here in Finland, but it is not nearly as much abundance as the goldenrod species in the U.S. I think I would actually love to see as much goldenrod in my meadow as I see in your pasture.
Oh, and you can't just move the beehive. The bees will return in the previous place if you move the hive now. You can move it in winter, when they don't fly and kind of forget where they live so they need to re orientate in the next spring.
Hey Morgan, I have been watching your videos for a while now and find myself checking daily to see new ones. I have learned a lot from your ventures in farming and look forward to learning more!! Thank you for choosing to allow us to waddle along with you.
I admire you for trying, I think this could be interesting.
Alfred is a national treasure and must be protected at all costs! The spongebob version is AWESOME!❤🎉
About the goats. I sure think Toby needs a doggy buddy if on upper pature. Maybe be a shelter to lock them in at night? Or a donkey. Get two donkeys.
Burros and llamas (or alpacas) are excellent foils for predators. Burros don't necessarily require a buddy on patrol, though it's just a nice thing to do for them. Llamas and alpacas, however, do need a partner.
P.S. I'm a bigger fan of llamas simply based on personal experience, though I do like alpacas.
P.P.S. you can also try sheep for your cleanup crew. Go with Dorpers or other breeds that dont require shearing. They're really lovely animals.
Donkeys are well known to keep coyotes out of pastures and protection the flocks, check them out as guards.
Thanks for being lively and entertaining too
I fought my husband on getting goats. I caved when he told me he’d found 3 goats that were going to a pepperoni factory if they didn’t sell. Now I can’t imagine life without them. I was diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma shortly after getting them so when I feel sad I hangout with Todd, Joe and Ralph. You cannot not be happy when you spend time with goats, they are so funny. We have zero problems with them escaping, we let them out to roam and they won’t leave. They usually end up at the house looking in the door.
my first two school years, where I went to school there was this old stable; behind it a creek. Across the creek, past some cement pipes and a small flood plain (after the old treehouse came down), was the entrance to a jungle mountain path. standing between us kids and adventure though, (aside from real danger) was the MEANEST Billy goat I've ever encountered. And yes, he was tethered because otherwise he would cross the creek and terrorize everyone. He had the reach of his little 'island', and that was it. We tried to have a picnic on the island one weekend my first year as part of some unit on exploring the natural world. He was supposed to be tied up elsewhere and he just, suddenly, wasn't. Ornery as he was though, the general consensus became that he kept the tigers away. Aside from the smell, though, I really haven't had too many bad goat encounters since. Seriously, they stink.
You might want to consider a video on Toby. There are so many new viewers that I’d bet they don’t know his savage skills.
It's encouraging to see you be so honest about how you can challenge your convictions and, perhaps, prejudices (in this case goats) and reconsider. I think that is a valuable lesson for all of us.
Have you considered clipping the pastures behind the cattle? There are weeds I am seeing, like Dog Bane Hemp, that is very poisonous. You can't mow it away, but you can stop it from spreading its seed.
Morgan, Monarch butterflies spin their cacoons on milkweed plants in particular. Maybe you could save most of the plants to an area free of your goats. We do need the Monarchs; they are so beautiful to see.
He has that high meadow beyond the fence (you see it on his trail cam - there have been deer, yotes, a bear, and I think even a bobcat once) - so while it might seem like he's potentially clearing a lot, there's a ton elsewhere on his farm that's safe and will be unmolested.
YES! The farm is about to be Goated!
Hi Morgan, Everyone is going to have a favorite goat breed, but there's only one breed that will not try to escape or climb, and that is my favorite attribute of the Myotonic "Fainting" Goat breed. They are the perfect goat for a homestead. They come in 3 varieties and all colors: long haired Silkie variety, regular and Miniature varieties. There are breed associations and registration for blood lines, but even non-registered animals are friendly and great at eating poison ivy and prickly awful pasture weeds! Good Luck! Remember, goats are herd animals, get at least 3. :)
Remember that your goats will need hoof trimming 2-4x per year. The more corn you feed, the more hoof they'll grow. Also, they'll need CDT shots and worming (don't skimp on regular worming), and probably other mineral shots to offset deficiencies in your soil. Goats will need more healthcare than any of your other animals. They go downhill quickly when sick. Some say goats have a death wish, therefore, you'll need a schedule of shots and care. The fencing you have will be perfect for Myotonic goats.
600 Trees! Dang. You should be proud indeed. I tried pea-shrub here in colorado 'cause they're supposed to be tough, and they are nitrogen fixers like clover, but they didn't do well at all. Oh well. They have thorns. Who needs 'em.
Here in Australia, there are people who are starting to use goats to clear out blackberries and other invasive plants that no other animals will touch. They do an amazing job at removing weeds and brush. So maybe rather than having them follow the cattle (which would involve constantly setting up difficult fencing), you could use them in tandem with the pigs to clear out the forest areas.
I like to ride my bike on an old railroad that’s now a bike path. It’s beautiful on that ride. You pass by a goat farm and every once in a while they escape and they are on the bike path. Lol
And congratulations on the bees!! 🐝🐝🐝
If I did wait until I watched the whole video to comment there would be be no comments because everything I questioned was answered. So everyone should start commenting 30 seconds in because that actually helps his ch.
Premier 1 net for goats is excellent, we use the poultry net. Potential issue of keeping goats and chickens together is the grain for the chickens could cause bloat in goats if they get too much. Grain is especially tricky with male goats.
Alfred for the win.! 😂 I can’t wait see the new additions!
Just a note that milkweed plants are used by the monarch butterfly, now under threat, for laying their eggs. Maybe consider protecting them and the monarchs?
3:17 - Morgan is a man of his word... and Alfred's word. 😀
Might be worth with Toby taking him out on a leash using treats that way he begins to associate it positively, might help make things easier if he needs the vet or groomers too, same with getting him in the truck, he's such a good boy and really loves what he does ♥
I don't know why I'm petting my computer screen when Toby appeared so close to camera at 18:39 lol. He such a fluffy boy and I really adore him
We all have our comfort zone, I wish I had such strong convictions and didnt let circumstnaces blow me about like a leaf -love Tobydog xx And OF COURSE all the barcats and etc and Abbydog love you all xxx
Morgan there’s no halfassin with goats 😂 start buttoning up your ways ❤ they will definitely teach you to be a better farmer ❤
I had American Alpine milk goats and enjoyed milking & making yoghurt & cheese. A farmer friend asked me to keep her Nubians for a week while she was gone. I came home to find them on the roof of the house! The Alpines were docile and much easier to manage. They kept the Asian blackberries to a reasonable level & kept the electric fence line free of weeds. I had the Alpines in my mature orchard and they were NOT a problem. My New Zealand electric fencing kept the Alpines confined. However, the Nubians and the Angoras jumped everything but a 2 meter hot fence! I suggest getting American Alpines. You need not milk them. However, there is a good market for goat milk products from soap to yoghurt.
Spongebob's New "Campfire Song" Song ... "My Buddy Alfred"
I don't know much about farming, but I do agree to get a pair of small goat breed. You need to set the purpose of the goats: are you also harvest goat milk? or are you just raising for meat?
goats once ate my hat & broom & knocked over my ladder when i was up on a low roof painting ~ it took me a lot of counting one two three before i could jump down ~
I agree with person who said get three scrub wethers. Scrubs being mixed are more hardy and don’t stink like bucks!
I told you to get goats an age ago. You will love them for their ability to clear the most untamed of environments. All those fields with thick twitch and brambles will be clear in no time.
Perhaps the goats would do well in a wooded pasture off to the side near the pigs (or even with the pigs) with the rock wall and perhaps downed trees to climb on and keep their hooves trimmed. They’re great at opening up dense thickets but they’d wreak havoc on the cattle pastures and the permaculture orchard. It may mean installing a permanent fence through the woods instead of simple electric string.
He will definitely have to build a permanent goat fence. They won’t stay in if it’s only a few electric cables.
Owned goats for over five years, love them! As others have said, they are good escape artists, they are also susceptible to parasites so be aware of that as well. Good luck!
Protecting your trees from the goats is a valid concern.
I really hope you read this Morgan because I really really think it’s going to help you. I’ve been involved with goats for so many years if you want to make a genuine profit with them, you are going to want to start out with registered goats my friend is able to sell her goats for 1000+ for one kid.
If you’re just starting out, I really only recommend getting Nigerian Dwarf goats that are ADGA registered. Nigerian Dwarf goats are extremely easy to handle. They should not be getting any bigger than 24 inches tall and are very easy to keep. They do not eat a lot at all and typically don’t escape often as long as they’re fencing as nice and secure.
I have had Nigerian Dwarf goats, Alpine, Nubians, boers and fainting goats. And the Nigerian Dwarf goats are truly the best option you can possibly have.
Another thing is, you must get goats without horns whether they be polled (naturally hornless) or disbudded. Like I said, I’ve been raising goats for so many years now I can’t tell you how many goats I have had die from their horns whether they have caused a serious injury to another goat and even children or have gotten their heads stuck in the fences.
If you genuinely want to have more information, I would love to be your mentor. I can answer any question you possibly have and I can be there for you throughout the duration of you owning goats. Nothing would make me happier than pointing you in the right direction and see you thrive and be successful.
Our Pine Creek Nigerians we are in Michigan if you ever come down our way next, I would be more than happy to sell a few goats for you to start out with.
I raise my kids with poultry, people, dogs, and of course other goats. All of the goats I have here are completely distance ties to all of that especially with the dogs and people my goats will follow you around like a dog does.
They are also clean tested, which is extremely important if you want to get into goats, my goats tested negative for various different diseases that may be able to pass on to poultry or cattle so that’s something. You really want to be careful with as well
I’ll just put this out here, but my Facebook is Romelia Seymour or pine creek Nigerians if you’d like to message me on either.
I would be more than happy to answer. Any questions you have and start you off in the right directions so you have the best chance of successfully raising these animals. A lot of farmers can agree. Goats can be more difficult than cattle because they require typically more care just to make sure they stay in tiptop shape.
Can’t wait to see how goats do on the farm.
Can't wait to see if Abby chases them 😆
Honestly, the idea of him getting goats is stressing me out. 😅The comments aren’t helping, either. I’m very invested in his orchard and concerned about what will happen to it. But it’s his farm, and I get that he’s honoring his word. I guess I hope he goes for the plan of putting them between his and his neighbor’s farm. But I wish him luck, and I will try to just enjoy the cute and the chaos. 😂
@@IbelongtoJesus. I didn’t even think of Abby and goats! BFFs!
Toby is such a good boy.
Tobey is the gooooooodest boy. We don't deserve them