- Goats Eat Garbage (t/f)
False! Goats are browsers. That
means that they prefer to reach for their food, similar to deer or antelope. They
prefer ivy, underbrush, tender young leaves, and will moist definitely eat the buds off your prize rose bushes if allowed
to! When kept in a confined situation they are fed good quality grass, legume
hay and grain. They will not eat food or drink water that has been fouled with
manure or dirt.
Goats have earned their reputations for eating garbage for two reasons:
- They are much like 2-year-old human children in that they learn
about their world y tasting it! Just like a toddler, they like to put everything
in their mouths to learn about it. They will mouth buckets, fence posts, tires,
laundry, and of course, tin cans! On occasion they will even swallow something
that is not particularly good for them, just like a human child or puppy.
- Goats have the ability to survive in almost any kind of conditions. Although, normally picky eaters they will eat leftovers like apple peelings, stale
bread, vegetables, thorn-bushes and most anything else to stay alive. Goats are
a valued livestock throughout Africa and thrive in poor conditions where cattle and other types of livestock would likely
starve.
- Goats Smell Bad (t/f)
Well. It depends! Female
goats (does), baby goats (kids) and neutered males (wethers) have no more odor than horses, cattle, dogs and cats and often
less. They hate mud and mess and tend to keep themselves very clean. Unfortunately, it is the breeding males (bucks) of the species who have earned the reputation for all goats
as stinky. The males really are…Phew!
They have a very strong odor that most people find offensive, but the female goats find quite irresistible. For that reason, most goat breeders keep their breeding bucks as far away form the house as possible.
- Goats will butt you (t/f)
False, Goats are normally non-aggressive toward people. If raised
with a lot of contact with people they are very sociable and enjoy being petted and played with. Even wild goats will flee rather that pick a fight unless forced into a corner. They do however, fight and play amongst themselves by head banging.
- Goats are trouble-makers (t/f)
False! Goats are naturally curios, intelligent animals, so will get
into all sorts of things they aren’t supposed to unless adequately fenced.
Also, if spoiled as babies, they may seem like more trouble because they were able to get away with more as little
cuties, then when they have to learn to be a big goat, and the rules have changed; they will adapt but it may take some repetition.
OK, so they aren’t too bad? But, what good are they?
Well…many historians believe that goats were the first animals to be domesticated. In many parts of the world they are a main source of protein. They
provide milk; meat, fiber and their hides are used for clothing and shelter.
In the United States, goat milk cheese is a popular gourmet item, and goat milk fudge is a dreamy delight! Goat milk has been used as a soothing skin treatment in soaps, lotions and balms since
ancient times. Cleopatra even bathed in goat milk! Some goats are valued for their long, silky fleece or cashmere that can be woven into clothing and rugs. Some goats are used as pack animals since they can easily navigate rough terrain and
are easier on the environment that horses. Goats can be trained to pull carts. Did you know that goatees are even being used as fire and brush control? Some parts of the county are leasing goatherds to clear away brush and weeds that can cause fire hazards. Of course, many people just enjoy having goats as pets and companions.
Nigerian Dwarf Goats are the smallest dairy goat, so you could actually milk your goats for your own consumption. They are small so children can handle them if you chose to show them for 4-H.
