If you’ve ever spotted a soft, squishy lump under the throat of a baby goat, you may have been alarmed — especially if you’ve heard the word “goiter” thrown around in goat circles. But in most cases, this lump is … Read More
Goats are the ultimate snackers—they’ll nibble on just about anything! But when it comes to nutrition, not all treats are created equal. One popular supplement among goat owners is black oil sunflower seeds (BOSS). They’re often touted for improving milk … Read More
Episode 158For the Love of Goats Most goat owners have faced a moment of uncertainty—staring at a sick goat and wondering, “Should I call the vet?” In this solo episode, Deborah Niemann lays out the answer with clarity and urgency. … Read More
Tetanus is one of the most feared diseases among goat owners—and for good reason. Caused by the toxin-producing bacterium Clostridium tetani, tetanus is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. But the good news is that tetanus is highly preventable—if you … Read More
Chorioptes mites are a common but frustrating parasite that can affect goats, causing irritation, hair loss, and discomfort. Although they don’t burrow like some other mites, their presence on the surface of the skin can still create significant problems for … Read More
Episode 157For the Love of Goats As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Losing a beloved animal—whether a goat, dog, cat, or any other companion—can be absolutely heartbreaking. In this episode of For the Love of Goats, I’m … 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. If you’ve been milking goats for any length of time, you’ve … Read More
When most people think of goats, they think of dairy goats supplying fresh milk, cheese, and soap. But a growing number of homesteaders are raising goats for a different reason: meat. Goat meat (called chevon or cabrito, depending on the … Read More
Sometimes even an experienced mama goat can suddenly reject her kid a few days or even weeks after birth — often due to stress, scent confusion, or disruption in their bonding. If your doe is headbutting, pulling the kid away, … Read More
Has your goat’s due date come and gone with no signs of labor? It’s a common worry for goat owners! After 23 years of raising goats, I’ve learned to trust my goats more than the calendar. I’m going to explain … 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....
