5 Mistakes New Goat Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them)

In this video I walk through the top 5 mistakes I often see new goat owners make — including some I made myself when I started out nearly a decade ago! Feeding missteps, time and space considerations, getting clear on your goals for your herd, deciding whether to keep a buck, starting with quality goats, and finding find mentors who can help you succeed are all topics I cover here. My goal is to help you avoid the stress and confusion I see so many beginners face and get your goat journey started off on the right foot.

🐐 What You’ll Learn in This Video
• Best feed options for dairy goats and common feeding mistakes
• Tips for assessing the time and space commitments dairy goats require
• Why goat registration is a helpful resource even if you're not showing goats
• Why keeping a buck might be the best move for you
• How starting with quality goats sets you up for success
• Where to find mentors and reliable support as you grow

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 The Common Mistakes New Goat Owners Make
00:30 Welcome to the Channel
01:30 Common Feeding Mistakes
01:58 Dairy Goat Nutrition Requirements
02:23 How We Feed Our Goats
04:26 Understanding the Time and Space Commitments of Dairy Goats
07:12 Why Goat Registration Can Be a Helpful Resource
07:50 My Story and Why I Changed My Mind About Registered Goats
10:53 Why Bucks Aren't as Bad as They're Made Out to Be
11:27 How Bucks Can Majorly Benefit Your Herd
13:44 Finding Mentors to Support Your Journey With Goats

🌿 FREE RESOURCE — Goat Grain Ration Recipe
I’ve created a balanced dairy goat grain ration recipe teaching you how to mix your own feed that's better than most bagged options you'd find at the feed store.
👉 Get your free download here: https://lively-block-45106.myflodesk....

🧀 WANT TO MAKE CHEESE WITH YOUR GOAT MILK?
If you’re also planning to turn that fresh milk into delicious cheese, I teach homesteaders how to make beautiful wheels of cheese from start to finish in my online course, Goat Cheese Academy. It’s perfect for beginners or anyone looking to improve their goat milk cheesemaking.
👉 Learn more here: https://thenestinthewest.com/goat-che...

💌 Stay in the Loop
Sign up for my email newsletter for regular tips on goat care, homesteading, cheesemaking, and behind the scenes of our farm life.
👉 Sign up here: https://lively-block-45106.myflodesk....

🌻 Follow Along on Instagram
  / nest.in.the.west  

Thanks so much for watching!

Your goat and cheese loving friend,
Sarah