Please Don't Get a Goat

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0:00 Intro
0:40 Goats are not lawnmowers
2:38 Cuteness is not a reason
3:55 Can't just have one
4:12 a quick word from our sponsor
5:29 World's pickiest eaters
7:56 Chaos monsters
8:58 Goats are escape artists
10:25 Goats are prey animals
13:35 The Good, Bad and the Ugly
17:33 Infrastructure is required
17:57 Never let a goat be hungry
19:58 Goats need mineral supplements
23:28 Goat milk is delicious!
24:13 My recommendation

MORE ABOUT ME

I'm Anne of All Trades. In NASHVILLE, I have a woodworking, blacksmithing and fabrication shop, a selection of furry friends, and an organic farm. Whether you've got the knowledge, tools, time or space to do the things you've always wanted to do, everything is "figureoutable."

I became "Anne of All Trades" out of necessity. With no background in farming or making things, I wanted to learn to raise my own food, fix things when they break and build the things I need.

12 years ago I got my first pet, planted my first seed and picked up my first tool.

My goal is to learn and share traditional techniques and skills while showing my peers how to get from where they are to where they want to go, how to do the things they are passionate about, and what can be done TODAY to engage their own community and grow deep roots.

Whether it's carving spoons, making my own hand tools, restoring my antique truck or growing heirloom tomatoes, the farm and workshop definitely keep me busy and support - whether financially through Patreon, through shopping my affiliate links, through buying merchandise, plans or project videos, or even just liking, commenting, and sharing my content with others helps me GREATLY to keep producing quality content to share.

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Help Support this project and others!

Other places you can find me:

[JakeKoenig]

I was on Amazon with 10 goats in my cart and was about to hit "Place Order, " and then I saw this video and canceled the transaction. Whew, that was a close one.

[jackpayne]

There is a very old Arab proverb - 'If you've got no troubles, buy a goat'.

[femijnbas]

I live in Portugal and the most amazing thing is that here goats still kept like they were in the past, you still have real shepherds roaming the hills and lands with often a mix of goats and sheep.
We have 3 of those shepherds close by and hearing them move and seeing them when on walks is so much fun.

There is actually a program to subsidize those old way shepherds because especially in the more rural areas it’s one of the most effective ways to reduce fuel for extreme bushfires.

2017 was a extreme year, so much of Portugal got damaged by fire that they started this program.

So if you ever want to see goats, sheep and livestock guardian dogs being worked like in the old day, just visit rural Portugal and you will enjoy it 😁

[SkyFullOfPotential]

Instructions unclear, I now have 100 goats

[FranktheDachshund]

My sister had a pygmy goat, just one. It was named Goatie, and it was the biggest character of any pet I have known. It roamed freely and hung out where the people hung out, pestered the dogs and horses. She was a complete oddball but in a really good way. Goatie lived for 14 years, she was a great pet.

[MichaelofYurtBees]

I have never said this about a homesteading video before, but I absolutely LOVED this video. The sheer amount of livestock wisdom passed on here was amazing. Very well done!

[lindaschweitzer]

I took care of goats for several clients... and they were my worst animal to have to care for. They are the CUTEST but everything you warned about is so true. And i love that you are very educated in land management, animal science, and have figured out how to have a full time job with it all. Super admirable!!!

[TopCatsFatDuck]

@AnneofAllTrades that last line actually made me tear up a bit 🥹 as your genuine love for the animals came straight through the screen with your plea for their good welfare to be top priority. Bless your heart, I hope this message gets through to people ❤

[NevadaGoats]

Average goat ownership is 3-5 years. After that, the goats are 're-homed' because they are too much work. They then start the downward spiral of 're-homing' that results in them tied to a fence, killed by dogs, or otherwise neglected unto death. Goats have a 12-15 year average lifespan. Dilettante owners are an eventual death sentence. I raised dairy and showstock for 40 years, I still have about 100, and will no longer sell any of them, because people don't think things through and I'm sick of watching my wonderful animals neglected, auctioned, 'gotten rid of', or killed. My oldest homebred now is pushing 17. I hope this video reaches everywhere. Couldn't have said it better myself.

[collinlovas]

I live in the suburbs and couldn’t even consider a goat, but I just loved all of the details that have gone into your thoughtful and detailed report about goats. Amazing!

[edavid]

As a goat owner for 16 years, I thank you for backing up everything I always say to people who think that my goats are cute and cool and they too can have...
1 In their 1000m² 🤦‍♀️ Even after all the warnings.... I've been thinking writing a book about NOT getting a goat exactly like your video ❤❤
Thanks a lot for the goats!

[Hick-A-BillyLLC]

I would have to say; the title got my feathers ruffled! I have been raising goats since 2010 & love them dearly. You have done an excellent video explaining their behavior, intelligence, chaos, & how they are not grazers. I havw been well trained by my goats. Sometimes it took me quite a long time to understand what they need or wanted, but eventually they got their point across. 😂 My advice to any new goat owner would be to listen to them CLOSELY & observe them closely. They will guild you & can be lots of fun!

[Zogg]

"Please goat responsibly" fantastic line!!! 😂👍👍👍👍👍👍

[dayride]

I love your "Please Don't Get a critter" videos! They apply to every animal whether livestock or pet! With so many jumping into homesteading, small farming etc. I have seen so many animals suffer the consequences of owners who did not do their homework before getting them or maybe they just weren't realistic about how enthusiastic they'd be about doing the actual chores involved every day forever, no matter the weather. Realistically, people need to do their homework and really be honest about their lifestyle choices not only when considering what species of animal they want, but also what breed and for what purpose. If possible, they should offer to volunteer at a farm, rescue or with someone else's animals to do the chores and learn what the animals require in their area, what diseases are common and any other potential pitfalls. Even experienced people can make major mistakes when moving to another part of the country. Soils can be deficient in certain minerals, a common weed or fungus in the area might be a concern etc. Animals are a big responsibility and when you have too many they can become all work and no fun, so start slow and know your limits.

[RobertJones-eyqz]

You talked about fencing, I've always heard, if a fence will hold water, it might keep in a goat. I've found that pretty true.

[TheOrijinalPajeet]

This keeps popping up in my recommended.. I live in an apartment, don´t like goats, can´t keep goats, don´t drink their milk or eat their cheese. According to YouTube I´m the perfect candidate for EVERYTHING about goats.

[dravonwalker]

I had Angora goats on scrub acreage. They made short work of all the baby pines, weeds, and were starting to strip bark off the big trees before we fenced them off. We eventually let them wander into scrubby areas the neighbors wanted cleaned up and that was awesome. I’d feed them in the evenings with a yelled “come on guys!” and I’d listen as the goats started bleating as they ran home for the evening. I really enjoyed them, foibles and all. Interesting you didn’t mention the horrendous smell during rut, or that goats like to drop babies on the absolute coldest nights in the worst locations. Great video! Lots of great advice and life lessons as well.

[debbiesimmons]

I was given a baby goat. He was sickly in the beginning but once he discovered my passionfruit vine he perked right up. He lived for over 10 years. He was my precious good boy. Goats just need more attention than many people are willing to give - about the same as a dog.

[nelsonted]

My Turkish room mate in college was working on his PhD in goat husbandry. He could go on and on about goats. He knew goats.

[justinbailey]

I got a couple of goats as therapy animals for my son. Don't do it. They scream. Constantly. They scream if they are mad, happy, scared, bored, it's Tuesday, etc...