For the Love of Goats

Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/medications-for-goats/  -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Description
In this episode, Deborah Niemann is joined by Dr. Pat Gorden of Iowa State University and Dr. Michelle Buckley of Cornell University to break down one of the most confusing topics for goat owners: medications and antibiotics.
You’ll gain a clearer understanding of how drug use works in goats, including what extra-label drug use actually means and when it is legal and appropriate. The discussion explains why toltrazuril (Baycox) is controversial and why the FDA has issued cease-and-desist letters related to its promotion, as well as how improper drug use can result in dangerous residues in milk and meat. 
You’ll also hear why antibiotics became prescription-only, the public health concerns driving those changes, and why veterinarians cannot recommend expired antibiotics. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Gorden and Dr. Buckley emphasize the critical role of management, nutrition, and husbandry in preventing diseases like coccidiosis and reducing the need for antibiotics, while also addressing why social media advice is often misleading and why building a relationship with a knowledgeable goat veterinarian is essential.
If you’ve ever struggled to get prescriptions, wondered why dosing information for goats is so hard to find, or felt overwhelmed by conflicting advice online, this episode will give you the clarity and science you’ve been missing.
Thanks for tuning in!
If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.
No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.
🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership
🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy
🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.
Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-rescue/  -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Description
When people think about animal rescue, they often picture a few animals and a lot of good intentions. In this episode, host Deborah Niemann talks with Deborah Blum, founder of Goatlandia Farm Animal Sanctuary in Sebastopol, California, about what it really takes to run a nonprofit farm animal sanctuary with dozens of goats and more than 150 animals total.
Deborah Blum shares how a simple love of goats turned into Goatlandia, a sanctuary that provides lifelong care for abused, neglected, stray, and surrendered farm animals. What began with just a few goats has grown into a complex operation involving quarantine protocols, disease management, veterinary partnerships, volunteers, fundraising, and constant decision-making about when to say yes—and when to say no.
In their conversation, Blum opens up about the realities of rescue work, including caring for goats with chronic diseases like CL, managing biosecurity, and helping animals recover not just physically, but emotionally. She also shares unforgettable rescue stories, from feral goats found wandering the woods to animals that survived severe injuries and neglect and went on to thrive at the sanctuary.
This episode also explores the behind-the-scenes work that many people never consider, such as building a reliable veterinary team, supporting staff and volunteers, educating the community, and creating sustainable revenue streams to keep a sanctuary running long-term.
Whether you’ve ever dreamed of starting a farm animal sanctuary, are involved in rescue work, or simply want a deeper understanding of what compassionate goat care looks like on a large scale, this episode offers an honest, thoughtful look at the challenges and rewards of running a goat rescue.
Goat Health & Disease Resources
Testing Goats for CAE, CL, and Johne’s (podcast)
Abscesses and CL in Goats (article)
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) in Goats (article)
Johne’s Disease in Goats (podcast)
Thanks for tuning in!
If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.
No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.
🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership
🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy
🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.
Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/what-to-feed-a-pregnant-goat/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Description:
Proper nutrition during pregnancy is essential for keeping both does and kids healthy — but more isn’t always better! In this short, science-based episode, Deborah Niemann explains how to balance feed, minerals, and body condition during gestation, and why following feeding advice from other species (or even other parts of the world) can lead to trouble.
She also shares lessons from her own herd, including what happened when overfeeding resulted in giant kids, and how choosing the right hay and minerals can help prevent pregnancy complications such as hypocalcemia and toxemia.
Additional Information:
Study Referenced in This Episode
Do Goats Need Grain During Pregnancy? (article)
Thanks for tuning in!
If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.
No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.
🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership
🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy
🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.
Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goats-in-america/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Description
If you’ve ever wondered how goats went from being banned in colonies to beloved on social media, this episode is for you! 
In this episode of For the Love of Goats, host Deborah Niemann talks with Tami Parr, author of Goats in America: A Cultural History  (As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases), about how goats have shaped — and been shaped by — American society for over 400 years.
Tami shares how her background as a cheese writer and historian led her to explore the surprising role of goats in U.S. history — from being despised agricultural “troublemakers” in the 1600s to starring in today’s goat yoga classes and artisan cheese shops. She also explains how perceptions of goat milk shifted during the tuberculosis outbreaks of the 19th century, leading to a complete transformation in how Americans viewed goats and dairy. 
Whether you raise goats, love history, or are simply curious about how these resilient animals earned their place in American culture, this episode offers a fascinating journey through time — full of unexpected stories, social change, and a few laughs along the way.
Thanks for tuning in!
If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.
No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.
🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership
🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy
🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.
Happy goat-keeping! 🐐

Got a question? 🤔 
Head over to -- https://thriftyhomesteader.com/goat-milk-ice-cream-and-gelato/ -- and drop it in the comments—so we can reply! 
Description
If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your goat milk into something people line up for, this episode is for you! 
In this episode of For the Love of Goats, host Deborah Niemann chats with Oskar Edwall from Sweden, who started with just a few goats and ended up creating a thriving business making goat milk ice cream and gelato.
Oskar shares how his curiosity for goat milk led to raising his own herd, experimenting with recipes, and eventually perfecting creamy, flavorful gelato that customers can’t get enough of. From using Swedish dairy goats and Anglo-Nubians to learning gelato-making, he explains the science, creativity, and passion behind his success.
Whether you’re dreaming of selling your own goat milk ice cream, experimenting with gelato recipes, or just love hearing about creative ways goats can support a homestead, this episode is packed with inspiration (and maybe a few cravings too!).
You may also enjoy:
Episode 161 - Turning Goat Milk into Pet Food: Labeling and Licensing Essentials 
Episode 156 - From Lab Coat to Cheesecloth: Dr. Kandice Marchant’s Delicious Second Act
Episode 33 - Prairie Fruits Farm and Creamery
Thanks for tuning in!
If you’d like to support the content you love and help us keep bringing you new goat resources, you can do that through our Tip Jar.
No one ever said raising goats was easy, but it doesn't have to cost a fortune or drive you crazy! You just need the right information.
🔹 Check out Goats 365 membership
🔹 Or explore The Goat Academy
🔹Looking for Deborah's books? They can be purchased wherever books are sold, or you can get an autographed copy on our online store.
Happy goat-keeping! 🐐