It Started with Chickens for Her Too

and it sounds like she shares our  poultry problem .  But the article is primarily about Suzanne McMinn’s discovery of Nigerian Dwarf Goats and goats in general:

Then one day I received an e-mail from a reader of my blog.  She lived nearby and she had Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats.  Nigerian Dwarfs are miniature milkers that can produce up to a quart a day, making them perfect for small farmers with limited pasture who don’t want to be overwhelmed with gallons of milk a day.  They’re also quite often kept as pets because of their size and personality.   She wondered if I might be interested in coming out to see her goats, and maybe, just maybe, even taking one home.  I couldn’t resist going to visit her farm.

I fell in instant, deep, complete love with goats that day.  I didn’t take home just one - I took home three.

More than all of her other animals, it was the goat that most won her heart:

Having started out wanting chickens, sheep, and miniature donkeys - which I have since acquired - I can say now without any hesitation that my goats are far and away the stars of my farm.  No other homestead animal is smarter, or has more personality, than a goat.  It’s easy to see why many people keep them as pets, particularly the small breeds.  I’ve milked my Nigerian Dwarfs.  Goat milk and cheese are delicious, and the production level is just right for a small farm to handle.

Her advice to those interested in raising goats:

If you’re interested in goats, the best way to start is to find out who has goats around you.  Once you get a goat, you’ll want help and mentoring as you learn to care for your new animals.  If you have a small farm, consider small breeds - you’ll need less pasture and less hay in the winter if you choose a smaller goat.  There are numerous books and Web sites with information about fencing, housing, and other feed and care needs, so do your homework.

And be prepared to fall in love when they twist you around their little hoof. Because, oh, they will.

Eliza and Brie, our Nigerian dwarf goats, are still too young to be milk producers, but I agree with Suzanne that they are a blast to have around the yard.  These two came to Piscataway Acres in the spring of 2009, have fully found their place here, and have no problem getting into a little mischief now and again, particularly Eliza.  In fact, she rivals the pigs in her food lust and that is hard to do.

You can read more from Suzanne McMinn at her blog Chickens in the Road.  It looks like good stuff.