History

Here I am at the very start of my new dairy goat herd. Dairy goats aren't new for me...I've had four stabs at it in the past. The first time I ever saw a Nubian goat, I had gone over to my neighbors for some reason and she was standing in the yard with these adorable, frisky, floppy-eared....things. I had no clue what they were...not sheep, not like the goats I was familiar with. I had to ask "This may be a dumb question, but, what are those?" I was instantly hooked. I had my very own pregnant doe and wether within a month. I had a very knowledgeable mentor who took me through goat health basics, milking, CAE prevention, hoof trimming and all those questions new animals bring. This was 1996 so, even though the inter-net existed it was bulletin boards. Most of what I learned I found in books which told me how to make cheese and soap.

Since then, I've had La Manchas, Nubians, Alpine and Oberhasli...all wonderful goats, but each one different. I decided this past fall that I wanted to have Nubian goats again and started looking around. I want to have registered goats so I know what they are (I've had an "I think it's a Nubian" before). I contacted several breeders but they all sold their kids un-weaned and without a milking doe that would be unwise. Dorothy at Capri Suds told me to contact Sweet Spring Farm in Argyle, New York and they told me that they sell their kids after weaning and even have enough genetic diversity to sell a starter herd to me.

So, now I'm waiting for kids to be born on this farm I've never seen, three and a half hours away by car. I am certain it will be worth the trouble and anticipation to do it right this time. With my mistakes, I have the right set of experiences to draw from.

What you will find here : My experiences as a goat keeper, Soap and Cheese Recipes or just good things to do when you are drowning in milk. I don't know the laws governing the sale of cheese and milk so I will be finding that out and posting it here. Please come by when you get a chance and comment if you have input or questions.