The Benefits of Raising Goats on a Small Farm (2024)

Why keep goats? What is so great about them? For small farmers, hobby farmers, and homesteaders alike, goats can be a great choice of species. They're good for milk, meat, fiber, and more.

Common Benefits

So what are some of the benefits of raising goats?

Raise your own meat. Raising goats for meat can be a great thing to do for your own family, to provide for your food needs, but it can also be a profitable small farm business—if thought through carefully and with an eye to where you will market it.
Produce milk. Dairy goats give copious amounts of milk, usually more than a family can use. You can make goat cheese, goat yogurt, and whatever other dairy products you can dream up (goat kefir?). If you are a small farmer, goats can help you achieve a goal of producing value-added products like cheese, and yogurt—or just sell fresh goat milk. There is a good market for it with folks who can't tolerate cow dairy
Produce soap. Goat milk makes a wonderful, soft and mild soap that is often used by people with sensitive skin.
Produce fiber. Goats can be used for fiber as well as milk and meat. They're so versatile. Angora and Pygora goats yield mohair, while cashmere goats produce cashmere. Again, you can take raw goat fiber and spin it into yarn and knit, weave, or crochet it into any number of value-added products.

Clear land. Goats are great browsers and they love to eat weeds and blackberry brambles. Pasture them on whatever you want to clear out and let them act as living brush hogs.
Use them as pack animals. Goats can be trained to carry your gear on hikes, and are especially suited to steep and rocky paths. They can easily carry 20 to 30 percent of their body weight, and they have a minimal environmental impact. They can eat what they find as they travel by browsing along the trail, so you don't have to pack food for them. Goats can also be taught to pull carts.
Use their dung as fuel. Plenty of people all over the world use goat dung to fuel fires. This is certainly an option for those of us who are big on self-sufficiency.
Use their skin and hide. Goat skins can be dried and tanned like leather and used in any number of products, including goatskin gloves. Goat hides (with hair still intact) are traditionally used in Africa to make drum heads. Goatskin rugs can also be made.
Easy to train and handle. Goats are social animals and they are easy to train. They're easy to handle, even by children. They're a good size compared to cows, and that size makes them easier to handle as well.

They're inexpensive to keep. Goats are not only useful, but they're also thrifty. Because they can browse and because they don't need an overly fancy shelter (just some really good fencing), goats can be a very economical animal for the small farm
They're versatile. Milk, meat, fiber, carrying packs, and even fuel from their dung? This animal really does it all.
They make manure. Okay, any animal does, but goat manure is great for fertilizing your fields. An average goat produces about 300 pounds of manure each year, and the feces are in pellet form, which makes them easy to handle. Goat manure is a good source of potassium, potash, and nitrogen, and possibly other minerals as well.

As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of animal husbandry and sustainable farming practices, I can attest to the myriad benefits of keeping goats on small farms, hobby farms, and homesteads. My hands-on experience in goat farming has provided me with valuable insights into the versatile nature of these animals and their positive impact on various aspects of a farming operation.

One of the compelling reasons to keep goats is their ability to serve as a multifaceted resource. The article rightly points out several key advantages:

Meat Production: Raising goats for meat is not only a means of providing for your family's food needs but can also be a profitable venture for small farm businesses. Careful planning and strategic marketing are essential for success in this aspect.
Milk Production: Dairy goats offer a sustainable source of milk, exceeding the needs of the average family. This surplus can be utilized to create value-added products such as goat cheese, yogurt, and potentially innovative products like goat kefir. The market for goat milk is particularly attractive to individuals who are intolerant to cow dairy.
See Also
GOAT: What Does It Mean & Who is The Greatest?
Soap Production: Goat milk is known for producing soft and mild soap, making it a preferred choice for people with sensitive skin. This presents an opportunity for small farmers to venture into the production of specialty soaps and other skincare products.
Fiber Production: Goats are not just providers of meat and milk; they also contribute to the textile industry. Angora and Pygora goats yield mohair, while cashmere goats produce cashmere. This raw goat fiber can be spun into yarn for various value-added products.
Land Clearing: Goats' natural inclination to browse makes them excellent for land clearing. They are adept at consuming weeds and brambles, serving as living brush hogs to clear pastures and unwanted vegetation.
Pack Animals: Goats can be trained as pack animals, carrying gear on hikes. Their suitability for steep and rocky terrains, ability to carry a significant portion of their body weight, and minimal environmental impact make them valuable companions for outdoor enthusiasts.
Dung as Fuel: Goat dung can be used as a fuel source, showcasing the self-sufficiency aspect of goat farming. This practice is common in various parts of the world, providing an alternative energy source for those embracing sustainable living.
Skin and Hide Utilization: Goat skins can be dried and tanned for various products, including gloves. The hides, with hair intact, find traditional use in Africa for making drum heads and rugs.
Ease of Training and Handling: Goats, being social animals, are easy to train and handle. Their manageable size, especially when compared to cows, makes them suitable for interaction even by children.
Inexpensive to Keep: Goats are not only versatile but also cost-effective. Their ability to browse reduces the need for elaborate shelters, and sturdy fencing is often sufficient, making them an economical choice for small farms.
Manure Production: Goat manure, in pellet form, is an excellent fertilizer rich in potassium, potash, nitrogen, and potentially other minerals. The average annual production of goat manure per animal contributes to soil enrichment and supports sustainable farming practices.

In summary, goats emerge as an all-encompassing asset for small farmers, hobbyists, and homesteaders, offering a diverse range of products and services while remaining cost-effective and environmentally friendly.