Goats are often the overlooked farm animal. When people think of livestock, goats rarely come up first, which is a shame, because they are some of the most interesting animals on the farm. With our market schedule in full swing, we keep meeting new friends who are just being introduced to goat milk products and the goat world in general. They ask lots of questions about our little herd, and we love answering them. So here is our crash course: Dairy Goats 101. We will answer the questions we hear most often, clear up a few common misconceptions, and introduce you to the girls behind everything we make. Ready? Here we go.
History
Goats are among the first animals humans ever domesticated, alongside sheep. For centuries, they have been valued as multi-purpose animals, providing milk, meat, skin, and fiber in different parts of the world. Today's domestic goats fall into three main categories: dairy goats, meat goats, and fiber goats such as angoras. Different breeds excel at different jobs, just like Angus cattle are prized for beef and Holsteins are prized for milk. Boer goats are the best-known meat breed, and eight breeds are recognized as dairy breeds. We happily recognize goats of every kind, but dairy goats are our specialty.
The eight dairy breeds range in size, looks, and how much milk they give. At Madd House Hill, we have been raising dairy goats for over ten years and specialize in Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats. This breed arrived in America in the 1970s and has been winning hearts ever since. Nigerian Dwarfs are the only miniature dairy breed, and they produce a remarkable amount of milk for their size, with some of the highest butterfat content of any dairy breed. That rich, creamy milk goes into every bar of our goat milk soap, and we think you can feel the difference.
Terminology
Getting the lingo right matters in the goat world. Knowledgeable producers and national goat organizations strongly discourage outdated terms like “nanny” and “billy,” which are considered slang. A female goat is a doe, a male goat is a buck, and a castrated male kept as a pet or companion is a wether. Babies are called kids, though you may also hear buckling for a young male and doeling for a young female. A group of goats is called a herd.
Appearance
Goats come in a wonderful variety of colors and patterns, which is part of what makes them so fun. Some dairy breeds have upright ears, others have floppy ones, and one breed has ears so tiny they are almost invisible. Our Nigerian Dwarfs stand about 20 inches tall at the shoulder and come in patterns like tricolor, buckskin, and solids. One look at our herd and you will see a rainbow of goats, and we are especially fond of the little white spots some of them have on top of their heads. They look like tiny hats 😊
Most goats have brown eyes, but Nigerian Dwarfs can produce blue-eyed goats, which are always striking. Here is a fun fact: whatever their eye color, every goat has rectangular pupils.
Goats can be born with or without horns, though most are born with them. At 7 to 14 days old, our kids are humanely disbudded, a process that prevents the horns from growing. It is a safety choice for everyone, including the goats. Horned goats can get tangled in fencing, and headbutting is a normal part of how goats sort out their pecking order.
Personality and Companionship
Goats are smart, social animals that make wonderful additions to a farm, and they are growing in popularity as pets. Many of our kids go on to join small farms, become 4-H projects, or liven up a backyard. Goats are also great companions for horses and other livestock that could use a friend. The one hard rule: goats are herd animals, so you need at least two. A lonely goat is an unhappy goat, and we firmly believe you can never have too many goats.
Nutrition
No, goats do not eat everything. The cartoons of goats munching on trash cans are pure exaggeration. Our goats eat hay, a balanced grain ration, and whatever they find foraging on well-managed pasture. They are not picky about leafy greens and will happily clear out weeds and brush. In fact, there are whole businesses built around it: “rent a goat” crews are hired by cities, parks, and landowners to clean up overgrown areas. The goats love it, and so do the customers.
Fencing
This old goat rumor is true: goats are escape artists. One of our does, Taylor, once scaled our wire fencing and helped herself to the backyard. We recommend at least 5-foot wire fencing with squares no larger than 3x3, well supported and close to the ground. If the gaps are too big, babies walk right through it. We know from experience. And if there is something delicious on the other side, a smart goat will find even the smallest gap.
Milk
New goat milk fans often ask what it tastes like, and whether it is bitter or “goaty.” The truth: properly handled goat milk tastes just as mild as cow's milk, and we think it is even a little sweeter. It is delicious and nutritious, and some people who find cow's milk hard on their digestion tell us goat milk sits easier with them, thanks to its smaller fat globules and different protein structure.
Goat milk also shines in the kitchen: drinking, cooking, baking, cheese, ice cream, fudge. The milk comparison chart above shows just how much nutrition one little glass packs in.
From Our Goats to Your Skin
Here is the part we love most. Every bar of our goat milk soap and every jar of our goat milk lotion starts with fresh milk from our own herd, right here on the Hill. We handcraft it all with nourishing plant oils and butters like olive oil, shea butter, and castor oil, plus pure essential oils. Nothing synthetic, ever. Just simple, clean ingredients that leave your skin feeling soft, calm, and cared for.
We hope this was an illuminating guide for goat newcomers and a handy reference for the old pros, too. If you have more questions, browse the other articles on our blog or leave a comment below. We are always happy to talk goats. Curious what all that good milk feels like on your skin? Shop our goat milk soap collection and find the bar that smells like home.
Until Next Time,
Madd House Hill