Being a human goat mama, or goatherd, is a unique and rewarding experience at Goatopia. It’s a seven-day-a-week responsibility, come rain or shine, where the happiness and health of the herd are in the hands of the caregiver.
Meeting the basic needs of the goats is akin to our own – fresh water, ample food, shelter, and companionship. The goat care program at Goatopia has evolved over time, driven by experience and a continual desire to learn about best practices.
Knowing each goat individually is crucial, as they all have distinct personalities. Goats, being prey animals, are adept at hiding signs of sickness. Observing their behavior on a daily basis helps us identify any deviations from their usual selves and is key to discovering illness early on.
We maintain a well-stocked medicine cabinet and work closely with our vets to address any health issues that may arise. Every morning, we scrub their water buckets and refill them with fresh water. The goats receive supplemental feed, including Timothy and/or Orchard hay, specific fresh farm discards, and small amounts of grain. Despite cartoon depictions, goats can’t actually eat tin cans or old leather boots; they have sensitive digestive systems.
The goat shelter is cleaned regularly and filled with pine flakes to provide a clean, comfortable, and warm environment for sleeping and sheltering on cold and rainy days. Goats, not being fans of rain or puddles, generally avoid water other than for drinking.
Goat care is a hands-on, day-to-day commitment that involves keen observation, individualized care, and a touch of humor in dispelling cartoon myths about goats’ dietary preferences.
If you’re curious to dive deeper into the world of our goat squad or feel like lending a hoof (especially on the weekends), please shoot a message to Kira at kira@olivetterealty.com. We won’t flood your inbox, but having some awesome folks on standby is always a good vibe.
Our goats enjoying the leftover Solstice Spiral pine branches. Pine needles are known to be anti-parasitic. Fun fact from an article published by Tuskegee University: “goats fed on a pine bark diet had up to 30 percent fewer worms in a total ration, as well as lower instances of fecal egg count and fecal coccidian oocyst count.”
Friendly Reminder:
PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE GOATS, THEY ARE ON A SPECIAL DIET.
Some produce is toxic to goats.
If you’d like to become a certified goat feeder please contact Kira or Allison.