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For Milk, Meat and Fun - the Joys of Goats
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| The goats are milked twice every day, like cows, and then the milk is strained. I had not tasted goat milk in over 10 years until we visited! The milk Monica offered me was sweet, rich tasting much like the freshest whole cow's milk. It was not as I remembered, pungent and strong.
The secret, Monica offered, is to keep the nanny goats and the bucks separate. The male goats give off a pungent odor, which is then transferred into the milk and cheese. No problem if the nannies are in a separate area.
Monica offered some goat cheese. I was skeptical, since I don't like cottage cheese, and this sure looked like cottage cheese to me! Pleasantly enough, it tastes like cream cheese and is smooth and soft. It is made by pasteurizing the milk, heating it to a boil, cooling it down, adding yogurt bacteria, sitting overnight, heating again, cooling again, and hanging in a bag for a few days in the cool of the basement.
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Monica holds Holly, the kid.
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| Monica says that the most important thing about keeping goats is to have good fences. Goats can find their way over, or under, almost anything! They will climb a fence shorter than 48", and work their way under a fence that doesn't touch the ground. They take no other "special" care, and so are enjoyable, low-maintenance animals to keep. |
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Sylvia holds Holly the goat, while Cassie and Mandy look on.
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They eat grass, hay, oats while milking, and particularly enjoy low brush. I noticed that all the trees and shrubs in the pasture were stripped of buds, leaves, and bark on the lower half! Even the youngest of the goats, though not capable of eating yet, attempted to nibble on the branches within it's reach.
Goats can provide us with milk, meat, hair, and the pleasure that comes with being near animals. They are worth our consideration. If ever you get a chance, go and visit some goats and appreciate the experience!
(May 27, 2001)
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