Jubilee Farm

Growing grain for chickens and goats

Farmer T's question for the day...

If we want to grow some kind of grain or corn to use for chicken scratch and as an extra supplement for goats, what is the best and easiest kind for us to grow and harvest? Is corn the best or would a grain be better. Farmer T says harvesting the corn would be easier but grinding it wouldn't be easy. Where as some kind of oat would be harder to harvest? He is interested in possibly planting something that we could use as feed in addition to the hay that is already growing.

My question for the day is how is goat meat?  We have read about it, and read good things, but it just isn't the norm in America. How about goat milk? Farmer T can't see us milking a goat 2 times a day with all we have to do with the 5 kids and homeschooling.

grains and goat milk

{ 08:43, 2006-Jan-3 } { Posted by CarlinsDarlin }

We have not, as yet, grown grain for our chickens and goats, but it is in the plans. A gentleman I know near here grows grain sorghum each year to make molasses (like, 5 acres of it). He's told me I can come get all the grain tops I want at harvest time. He saves a couple rows for seed, but the rest is mine just for the work of picking it up. Come September this year, we'll be getting a truckload at least. People can eat the grain from sorghum, too, but my primary interest in it is for the chickens. I may plant some myself as well. The chickens will eat the grain, and the goats, the plant leaves. And I can make molasses from the cane. Other grains I haven't investigated much, but I thought I'd throw that one out, since most people wouldn't think of it first.

We haven't yet butchered a goat, since we just got started with them ourselves last May, but I can tell you the benefit of having the goats - just in milk - is a huge plus for us. We have one currently milking doe, and she provides us between 1/2 gallon and 3 quarts per day, milking twice a day. Milking takes about 15 minutes each time, so it really doesn't take that much time out of your day, and we are provided with sweet, wonderful tasting milk. We also make cheese and butter, and sell some milk (there are only two of us in the household, so she provides more than we need. For you, you might want to have a couple milking does). The goats have been the best addition to our homestead yet. They're comical, affectionate, cute as a bug, and more than pay for their keep.
Hope this helps,
Kathy @ PhillipsPhamilyPharm

Untitled Comment

{ 10:55, 2006-Jan-3 } { Posted by Lisa }

I'll look forward to reading more of your posts--this is so wonderful to learn what works for others and what doesn't--what a great community!

Lisa@OurLittleHomestead

goats meat

{ 11:39, 2006-Jan-3 } { Posted by winterpast }

We just butched a goat for the first time. Everyone seem to be giving it a thumbs up. We have a 12 yr old 10 yr old 5 1/2 yr old and 2 yr old. I have not tried it yet, I am in the first trimester and meat overall upsets my tummy. We have decided to continue to raise for our own meat along with our dairy goats. We currently have 3 boer meat goats and 5 dairy.

chicken feed

{ 11:41, 2006-Jan-3 } { Posted by winterpast }

We planted extra squash and other garden items the chickens would like, even know in Jan they are enjoying there squash. They also get crushed eggs shells, bread scrapes, leftover cake and what ever else I come up with.

I'm not sure that I could try goat meat....

{ 10:44, 2006-Jan-3 } { Posted by patintenn }

I find it hard to eat deer meat when I know ahead of time that is what is in the pot. I am terrible at eating meat other than chicken, beef, pork or fish.
I am learning though,
Pat in Tenn

I'm loving..

{ 12:15, 2006-Jan-5 } { Posted by rosehillranch }

...reading all these responses!! Thanks for asking the questions...you are such a smartie!! xo Jeani