Goats

Goats have several advantages over cows - they do not require so much land, nor such high quality grazing land. They do not cost so much in feeding-stuff during the winter. They do not produce so much milk. And you are permitted to sell the surplus. The taste for goats' milk is on the increase, but so also is the production of it, so you would have to check that a ready market exists in your area. Unless you can afford to keep goats as a hobby (which of course many people do) you will have to ensure there is an economic outlet for your produce. Another advantage of goats is that if you have a large rough area of land they can be quite useful in keeping it under control. On the other hand you don't really need a lot of land at all; quite a small area will be sufficient providing you are prepared to buy in hay and other feeding stuff.

Goats are even more gregarious than cows and you should really think in terms of having two. As with cows, it is important to remember what a tie goats are, for they need to be milked morning and evening 365 days of the year.

If you are thinking of keeping a goat the first thing to do is to visit the local library and borrow whatever books are available on the subject. Next, contact the British Goat Society and get the names and addresses of goat-keepers in your vicinity and go and talk with them. Don't be too won over by their excessive enthusiasm which can at times become obsessive; on the other hand don't be daunted if the whole process seems rather complicated, if they can do it, so can you, given time, space and an even temper.

For an account on how one couple started goat-keeping, see How to Get the Most from Your Goat.