Get Your Goat!

So many people wish desperately to get back to the land...to get 'off-grid', to own animals that produce sustenance and to grow a garden for food. We dream of fresh vegetables, real milk and cheese and no electric bill! Visions of perfect rows of plants growing tomatoes and a peacefully grazing Jersey cow crowd our thoughts as we sit in rush-hour traffic.

The reality of that world is not clearly seen until you are in the middle of it. Vegetables do not always grow perfect fruit in a straight row. Off-grid power is certainly a developing area, but requires understanding and finances to acquire it. Cows can be very messy and are bigger than you may realize. They also do not always stay where you put them!

However the determination to try this lifestyle can win out and you find yourself with a hobby farmstead. One of the animals showing up more and more in hobby farms are GOATS! These adorable and endearing creatures can be fun to raise, they can also be a real headache if not prepared for. Getting a call at work by a distraught neighbor whose flower garden is now nothing but a patch of stems is not your goal.

To get your goat and enjoy her ownership requires some planning and knowledge. Fences - proper ones - are a must. You should have your fences at least 4' tall and of sturdy woven wire. Ridged panels can also be used. Fencing is one area you do NOT want to go cheap or 'good enough' since goat will test their boundaries. They will rub on the fence and climb on it. They just do!

Goats hate to get wet so be sure to include a shelter of some sort. It can be as simple as a three-sided shed with a roof for her to get into out of the weather or as elaborate as you want to have it. It should be warm enough for the winter months as well. Adding hay or straw on the floor will keep her out of the mud and on a warm, dry bed. It will need cleaned out every so often...use that old bedding on your garden! Your plants will love it.

Goats do not eat anything and everything. They need a proper diet of browse and fresh water. Browse includes things like brush, bushes, trees and such. They will walk, take a bite, walk, take another bite. They browse much like deer. They like fresh, clean browse and will chose that over grass. If you have them on a small lot without much browse you will need to provide them fresh hay in a feeder. If they pull hay out onto the ground, and they will, and they step on it they will not eat it! It is the same with their grain. If they are fed on the ground and it gets 'dirty' they will not eat it. They must also have fresh water every day.

Goats can survive in a small paddock but they will not thrive like they would if let out on pasture. Even an acre or two of browse or even grasses is preferable to a small lot. Do not ever tie your goat out! They can choke on their leash or be harassed and even killed by neighborhood dogs. When you tie her for milking, feeding or grooming be sure to stay with her and keep an eye on her.

Milking is easy enough to do by hand and is actually quite an enjoyable time for you to get to know your goat better. While milking you can inspect her for injuries, bumps and scrapes. You will want a milking stand and a dish for her to eat from while you milk. Use a stainless steel bucket to collect the milk in and be sure to keep everything clean before, during and after milking. Always clean and sterilize your bucket after use.

To get her milking you will need to have her bred. The farm you buy her from will be able to help you find a buck to breed her to. Then you get to enjoy one of the most amazing things ever...the birth of new life into the world! Those kids can be awfully cute! Before you know it you will have several goats in that area you fenced so be sure you think of that during it's construction.. The kids that she produces can be sold for profit..either as bottle babies or after they're weaned.

Getting your goat and bringing her home is a fun adventure. Be prepared and it will be enjoyable as well.

Types of Exotic Pets

Dogs, cats, hamsters and parrots are some of the most common domesticated animals and pets in households today. While they are truly adorable and lovely to have around, some people may prefer more exotic pets rather than generic household pets.

There are different types of exotic pets available. Although certain species of animals are protected by laws and are prohibited from being treated as a household pet, some pets can be lawfully taken care of as a pet. Basically, an exotic pet is a rare or prodigious animal that is kept as a pet. Other technical definitions of exotic pets are those that are kept as a companion or pet, yet are not typically considered as a pet. In some occasions, any distinct or wild-appearing pet is regarded as an exotic pet.

Furthermore, this term may be used to refer to a species of animal that is not domestic within the owner's area or region. Below are some of the many types of exotic pets you can find today.

Sugar Glider
These well-known small marsupials originate from Northeast Australia. The Sugar Glider weighs less than 5 ounces. They are characterized by their active and curious being, which helps them in achieving a greater bond with their human companions. Sadly, they are also social and nocturnal, so they can normally be found calling for your attention when you're asleep at night. With that said, you should consider purchasing a pair of Sugar Gliders if you plan on having them as pets.

Kinkajou
Kinkajous are also nocturnal animals that can be found in rain forests in the Sierra Madres in Mexico and Central America. Kinkajous are characterized by their friendly and affectionate nature. In spite of their sharp and carnivorous set of teeth, they are known to eat only fruits and can be fed with sweets like marshmallows, Fruit Loops, and Gummy Bears.

Squirrel Monkey
Derived from the South and Central parts of the US, the squirrel monkey is an omnivorous type of exotic pet, which means that their regular diet consists of fruits, legumes, small vertebrates, and bird eggs. Weighing at around 2.75 lbs, squirrel monkeys are known to run with a posse that can amount as great as 500. Squirrel monkeys are also known to be intelligent in nature and quite affectionate, making them trainable as a house pet.

Bengal Cat
If you're more of a feline type of owner but prefer a more exotic looking pet, the Bengal cat is a great option. The Bengal cat is a combined creation featuring a pre-developed genetic code that is crossbred from the looks of something more exotic, like the Asian Leopard cat. There are different variations of the Bengal Cat including the Serengeti, the Toyger and the Cheetoh. The higher the percentage of purebred the cat is, the steeper the costs can be.

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