Goats and Sheep

While goats are generally gentle creatures, headbutting is a natural part of their communication and social structure. In this article, we will delve into the art of training goats to curb their headbutting tendencies, offering insights into effective methods that promote harmonious interactions between humans and these charismatic animals. By understanding goat behavior and implementing […]

Teaching your goat not to headbutt is crucial but often overlooked. Goats headbutt for many reasons. This can cause issues because goats that headbutt can cause serious injury, especially if you aren’t expecting a headbutt, or if they headbutt a child. My neighbor was headbutted by a young buck, which injured his knee because he

A goat’s nasal discharge varies in consistency, color, and content. It may even change as the disease or condition progresses. The appearance and texture of the mucous will often give you a clearer idea of the underlying problem.  Profuse, watery nasal discharge is often a symptom of Malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) A thick, yellow mucus

The other day, I heard the sound of my goat grinding teeth and got immediately worried. That’s because one of the ways goats express stress is through teeth grinding.  Did you know that goats are very expressive animals? Not only can they tell apart fear and joy, but they can also express the same. This

If you ask my kids if they like raising sheep, my #2 daughter will say she likes sheep much better than goats because they are easier to tame. My #1 daughter says she likes sheep better for 4H because they listen to you in the ring, but she likes goats better as pets because they

If you want to raise pet sheep for your homestead or small farm, there are many decisions to make. Sheep are delightsome pets, but their brains and instincts function differently than many of people’s traditional pets.  You may want to check out our Complete Guide to Raising Pet Sheep or our Raising Sheep Resource Page.

When I first got pet sheep for my girls, I wasn’t the most prepared. That led to a very hectic few weeks of scrambling to meet their needs. It was more stressful than if I had taken a month to prepare before bringing home my lambs.  I’m glad that my girls and I choose to

A baby goat can die for several different reasons. Nothing is more demoralizing to a farmer or would-be homesteader than kidding baby goats, only to have them languish and perish soon after birth.  Here are some of the reasons baby goats die (and what to do about them):  The number of illnesses and complications that

Recently, our goat gave birth to two little, beautiful baby goats. If you have baby goats, you are probably worried about when to wean, what supplements babies need, and when to introduce hay.  When can baby goats start eating grass? While baby goats will start nibbling grass hay almost from birth by mimicking mom, they

Exposure to scorching temperatures is just as much of a health hazard to goats as it is to humans. Goats are generally pretty hardy creatures, but heat can still affect them. And it’s a worry for many farmers and owners of pet goats. Do Goats Sweat? Healthy goats don’t sweat, but a severely overheated goat