Homesteading Skills: Survival By Goat

Goats… What can we say about these capricious capricorns? They have tons of personality, as well as the ability and desire to climb almost anything. Goats are a source of milk and cheese. Some goat breeds even provide fiber (this is where your Cashmere sweaters come from, you’re wearing goat hair).

These whimsical beasts can provide meat and leather, but that’s only their short term value and not the best parts. Goats can be sweet companion animals and as a dairy creature, they give a very nutritive milk which can also be transformed into a unique and savory cheese. Goats are also outstanding when it comes to clearing land. We’ve all seen cartoon image of a goat eating a tin can, and that’s not far from the truth. Goats are relentless foragers and can eat all kinds of plant material, even woody vines and shrubs, if given enough time. This voracious nature, and their natural love of climbing, allows a herd of goats to become an eco-friendly land clearing machine. Rocky brushy terrain can’t defeat a hungry goat army. One mouthful at a time, even plants that are troublesome for humans to handle (like poison ivy) go down the goat’s throat to become nutrient rich goat droppings. Before you burn a brushy area, or worse – dump a bunch of poison on it, consider the goat as your partner in land reclamation. They’re all too happy to help. And if you don’t want to purchase your own herd, there are even companies that rent out herds of goats for ecologically sustainable land management.

Want to learn more about goats and interact with them? Check out our Raising Small Animals class and learn how to care for goats, chickens and rabbits.

Written by Tim MacWelch First draft published in his book How To Survive Off The Grid