A practical, comprehensive guide to raising dairy goats holistically for milk, cheese, and sustainability
The Homesteader's Natural Dairy Goat Handbook is the perfect resource for new goat keepers or those dreaming of buying a herd. Whether you want to raise them for milk, meat, or both, Sarah Withers of The Nest in the West shows you how to see goats as a truly legitimate homestead dairy animal and not merely as a stepping stone to a family cow.
From choosing the right breed for your homestead and the basics of milking to the logistics of breeding, kidding, and raising male goats for meat, this book is for homesteaders and anyone else who values a deep connection to their food, their animals, and the land. Sarah also teaches you how to use your goat milk for cheesemaking, artisan dairy treats, and homegrown skincare products.
Through clear guidance and heartfelt personal anecdotes, you'll discover how dairy goat keeping is attainable for your homestead or suburban yard and learn to confidently care care for your herd. Chapters cover:
- Feeding and nourishing your herd
- Routine care, common ailments, and holistic remedies
- Breeding and caring for pregnant does
- Delivering and raising healthy kids
- Considerations for selling goats
- The basics of at-home butchering
- Forty recipes for cheeses, dairy treats, chevon (goat meat), soaps, and more!
