5 Reasons Why Goats Will Change Your Life

We never really thought about goats before. We never planned on getting them. We never even talked about them. Then one day I saw a short little video about a bunch of goat babies chasing after their people, and I was hooked (see for yourself, The Running of the Goats at Sunflower Farm)!

I loved the cute way they ran, their adorable little cries – how can you NOT fall in love with them?

We had originally planned to get some horses, but when I noticed the ads for goats in the Livestock for Sale listings, I couldn’t help myself. I quickly shifted from looking for horses, to looking for goats. For the next while I started seriously researching everything I could about them – from the type of goat that would be best for us, to what they require for housing, food and land. I decided that Nigerian Dwarfs were the breed we needed.

Before they knew it, I was dragging my family out to see the most adorable baby goats (which of course meant we were going to be buying them). While we were waiting for our “girls” to get a little older, we scrambled to set up their barn and pasture, and buy all our supplies. Nothing like a little pressure to get things done! But they are here now (plus one other new addition), and we haven’t looked back since.

And they really have changed our lives.

Here are my top 5 reasons why goats will change your life.

1. There’s no better family bonding activity than running around with your goats. Seriously. The kids (goats) love to chase the kids (human), and vice versa. Even us slightly older people have a blast running around with them. And the BONUS – it’s great exercise for everyone!
2. You’ll never find a more entertaining display of acrobatics than a little goat showing off in mid-air. They love to do funny little kicks, twists, and poses while jumping off the highest platform they can find. It’s like having your very own Cirque du Soleil.
3. Their little “bleats” sound just like they are calling for “mom”. For some of you, this might not be as cute as I think it is, but it really makes you feel needed. Oh, and they do cry a LOT. Whenever you leave, when you’re in sight, when they hear the gate open or close, when it’s supper time, when it’s breakfast time, when you walk too far away, when you’re coming in to visit them…
4. There is nothing like a little goat wanting to cuddle up with you. I swear, they’re just like little dogs. They are affectionate and needy. They want to be close to you, they love being scratched and brushed, and they like to get into your lap (remember, my goats are Nigerian Dwarfs, and I’m talking mostly about the babies here. I don’t think you’d want a 200 lb. buck trying to sit in your lap!).
5. ABOVE ALL ELSE – goats are good for the soul.