There are several cons of goats on a homestead that include escaping fences, gamey meat and milk, smell, noise, and disease. Goats are very stubborn animals that require a strong fence and constant care.
What are the Cons of Goats Milk?
One con of goats is their milk. Unlike cows, goats produce much less milk, and the quality varies by breed. Goat milk is homogenized, meaning there is no separation of cream from milk. Due to the homogenization of the milk, a separator would need to be purchased to get cream or butter. In addition, the milk is higher in calorie than cow’s milk, providing a richer taste.
Goat udders are small and can be difficult to milk if not trained. The amount of effort exerted in milking goats, does not provide much milk. Consider the smaller the goat, the smaller amount of milk.
In addition, goat milk will change flavor after a day. The initial day of milking will produce milk that is less gamey in flavor. After the 2nd day or even 3rd day, the milk will taste more “goaty.” Therefore, if the milk is not used close to milking, the flavor may not be to your liking.
What are the Cons of Goats Meat?
Cons of goat meat is the flavor. Like most animals that forage on wild plants, the meat tastes similar. “Gamey” is the most common term used to describe goat meat, but some is not as flavored as others.
Goat meat is very lean in nature but is considered red meat like beef. Red meat should be eaten in moderation due to the high cholesterol it contains.
Space and Escaping
Fencing
A con of goats on a homestead is the fencing required to keep the ruminants in. Goats are great at escaping and require strong fencing, and space to roam. A strong fence with grid wire is required to keep goats in their area. Goats are great at getting their heads stuck in fences, jumping fences, and even climbing fences. For more information on fencing, visit our article about Fencing for Homestead Animals.
Confinement
Goats should not be confined to small spaces. Experts believe that confining goats to a small pen can cause death and sickness. Goats like to roam and search for food, if confined to a small space, they will run out of food to forage and may become diseased with worms or other parasites in the soil.
To prevent this unpleasant fate, goats must be turned out to pasture and allowed to roam and forage. As long as goats are moving to new areas, or areas that have not been grazed in the past year, the disease and risk of death will decline.
Noise
Another con of goats on a homestead is the noise they make. Goats will yell or cry for multiple reasons. Food, treats, or need for attention will cause goats to cry out. Some breeds are very loud and can be heard for half a mile.
In addition to food, treats, and attention, female goats will cry out when in heat. Male goats will also make a lot of noise when they are in search of breeding. When females are getting ready to kid, they also may make noise.
Smell of the Rut
Male goats in a rut (breeding display) will pee on themselves and do other disgusting things that will make them smell. Only male goats that have not been neutered will perform this act. Females will be in heat for around 21 days. Males that are kept around females will perform the rut whenever the females fertile cycle begins.
Grooming (hooves and horns)
In addition to smell and noise, goats must be groomed if not allowed to roam freely to forage. Goat horns and hooves may become overgrown and need to be ground down. Goat hooves must be trimmed to allow for proper mobility. Horns may be cropped to prevent injury to other animals.
Disease
One of the main cons of goats is their susceptibility to disease. Worming and proper care can prevent disease, but some goats will die.
Worming
Goats should be wormed every 4 to 6 weeks with Safe-Guard or other approved de-wormer. In addition, goat on proper pasture rotation will have a reduced risk of worms. Deworming can be done orally, topically, or with injections.
Natural deworming may include garlic, mustard, carrot, fennel, squash seeds, or pumpkin seeds. However, if you suspect worms in your goats, contact your local vet for proper care.
Mortality
Another one of the cons of goats is their risk of mortality. Goats get to sexual maturity early, have short gestations, and can have multiple births. In addition, goats may kid in the worst weather.
Female goats reach sexual maturity after 4 months to a year. Once pregnant, goats will be in gestation for 150 days or roughly 5 months. Goats will produce one to three kids (babies) every pregnancy. When goats are getting ready to kid (give birth) they will likely kid in the worst weather. Storms bring pressure changes, and cold weather will likely bring the birth. Keep your pregnant mothers in a warm place when you suspect they will kid. This will prevent kids from freezing to death and allow a safe space for the mothers.
Destruction of ALL Landscaping
Goats are great at eating all kinds of plant life. Prized for their ability to take out poison ivy and blackberry vines, goats will remove the landscaping that you do not wish to keep. However, they will also eat all the landscaping you do wish to keep. If goats are left free to forage in your gardens, be sure that the goats will consume anything left.
Attitude and Personality
Most homestead animals have personality. Goats have a wide range of personality and attitude that can be considered a con when trying to take care of them. Male goats, especially those in rut, are very feisty and will fight with other males. All goats are stubborn. However, they are stubborn because they are great thinkers. Goats will think in a straight line. If they see water on the other side of the fence, and are thirsty, they will wait at the fence or go over it to get to the water. These animals can be trained to their surroundings, but do not underestimate their ability to be smarter than you.
Vacations
Finally, a con of having goats on a homestead is the owner’s inability to take vacation or leave the farm without finding someone to care for the goats. Goats require attention regularly as they get stuck in fences, wander off, and can fall ill easily. Returning from a weekend away to a dead goat is not a pleasant experience.
Neighbors, family, or friends should watch goats daily if you are to go away. They will need fresh water, food, and accountability. If a goat wanders off, they are difficult to return.
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