Goats

Aaliyah's Journey into the World of Goat Entrepreneurship

At Matanah Meadows, young Aaliyah embraced the world of goats, fueled by the entrepreneurial spirit she saw in her older brother Ethan with his thriving chicken egg business. Starting with a modest herd of four Boer-Nubian cross goats, she faced challenges early on, notably from the antics of her unruly buck Ferdinand. Over time, Aaliyah noticed a demand for spotted goats, and shifted her focus towards Boer dappled goats. She navigated the livestock market fluctuations and rising feed costs, gaining valuable insights for future farm endeavors. Now, she's taken her venture a step further by choosing her goat business as an FFA project and participating in the local county fair, showcasing not just her goats, but her growing knowledge in goat husbandry.

Out of South Africa: Boer Goats

As a breed, Boer goats were first developed in South Africa by Dutch settlers in the early 1900s. The name "Boer goat" essentially translates to "farmer's goat" or "peasant's goat," reflecting their origins. These goats became known for their exceptional meat quality and proved to be a valuable addition to the local livestock industry. Over time, their influence extended beyond South Africa, and they were popularized in the United States and beyond during the 1990s. They are now recognized as one of the most sought-after meat goat breeds worldwide. At Matanah Meadows, it's important to note that we do not raise Boer goats for meat consumption, as we value them for their unique characteristics beyond their culinary potential.

Explore the Wild with Goat Packing

Goat packing, a unique outdoor adventure, involves equipping goats with packs to carry gear and supplies during hiking and camping excursions. It combines the joy of exploration with a touch of tradition, as pack goats have been used for centuries to transport essentials through rugged terrains. At Matanah Meadows, we are excited about the prospect of offering this unforgettable experience to our guests. Our friendly goat Gus would serve as the pioneer in this service, accompanying hikers and enhancing their journeys through the picturesque landscapes. Goat packing promises to be an engaging, eco-friendly, and charming way to connect with nature and foster memorable connections with our beloved goats.

Testing Goat Hiking with Oreo and Filbert

Meet Gus

Gus, the delightful goat ambassador of our farm, has boundless silliness and infectious fun. He is known for his whimsical tip-toe dance in pursuit of leaves high in the tree canopy. Gus's story begins as a bottle-raised kid, a result of his mother's unfortunate passing shortly after his birth. As part of our farm's safety policy for young bucklings, Gus underwent castration to ensure safety and harmony. Unaltered males tend to test their strength through play-fighting, a scenario too risky with humans as their family. Now, Gus happily mingles with our female goats and welcomes interactions with our guests. Born without horns and a heartwarming friendliness, he easily leads on a halter, fueling our aspirations to train him for pack-carrying, creating hikes around the property to unforgettable adventures. We adore Gus for these and countless other reasons, as he embodies the spirit of our farm in a truly exceptional way.

Come and share in the silly shenanigans of the goats!

 FAQs

  • During the breeding season, male goats secrete an odor that is irresistible to the girl goats. It is a very strong smell, that to humans, does not smell good at all!

  • We discourage guests from petting Joseph. He has large horns and likes to show off how he can use them. Goats use their horns in fighting and as tools. Joseph is a typical male farm animal and will readily use his horns to express his dominance over anyone new. He has also been known to pee on guests who get too close! This also is his way of showing off his skills and claiming new territory!

  • Yes! Our goats love to eat poison oak! it doesn’t bother them at all. Just be careful to not hug a goat after it has been out in the brush!

  • Yes and no. Goats can be really picky about what they eat. They definitely have preferences but do have voracious appetites. They are also like toddlers and put everything in their mouths just to test things out. They explore their world through their mouth it seems. So, they may turn down a piece of perfectly good piece of apple but sit there and eat cardboard!