Episode 161For the Love of Goats If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to legally sell raw goat milk or farm-made pet treats, this episode is full of first-hand insight and practical tips. Deborah sits down with Carly Brown and … Read More
Urinary calculi—commonly referred to as “urinary stones” or “urolithiasis”—can be a painful and potentially fatal condition for goats, especially males. This issue is most commonly seen in wethers (castrated males) but can also affect intact bucks and, very rarely, does. … Read More
When some people get started with goats, they may overlook a very important aspect of their care by failing to provide free-choice, loose goat minerals. Even if they know goats need minerals, they may think that a block is okay or … Read More
If you’ve ever reached into a nest box and found an oddly shaped egg or cracked one open to discover a surprise, you’re not alone. Whether you’re new to backyard chickens or have had hens for years, weird eggs are … Read More
If you’re into wholesome, homemade food, making your own yogurt is one of the most satisfying culinary projects you can take on. It’s surprisingly simple, cost-effective, and the taste? Absolutely divine! Goat milk has a naturally creamy texture, tangy-sweet flavor, … Read More
Episode 160For the Love of Goats In this episode, Deborah Niemann welcomes Anne Petersen of Rosasharn Farm—one of the longest-standing Nigerian Dwarf breeders in the U.S.—to talk about her farm’s long-running and highly successful volunteer program. What began as hosting … Read More
Someone recently asked me how they could improve the teats on their does. I told them to find a buck whose dam had the teats they wanted. Whether you’re aiming to improve teat placement, milk production, or weaning weights, your … Read More
When a baby goat suddenly dies within hours of showing signs of discomfort or swelling, one of the likely culprits is abomasal bloat—a serious and usually fatal condition that affects mostly bottle-fed kids under a month of age. Understanding what … Read More
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases, which help keep the lights on here at Thrifty Homesteader so we can continue to provide hundreds of free articles. Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common and concerning bacterial … Read More
If you’ve ever disbudded a goat kid and later noticed what looks like a tiny horn or a hard, twisted lump growing where the horn bud was, you’ve encountered one of the most frustrating side effects of the disbudding process: … Read More
Thrifty Homesteader was created in 2012 after the publication of my second book, Ecothrifty. The name was coined by one of my followers because I said that I didn’t want anyone to think that they had to be rich to homestead or live a greener life....
