Meet the Goats of Deer Creek Homestead
Brush‑Clearing Partners With Big Personalities
We have 7 adult Nigerian Dwarf goats that free-range our property. Their names are:
Timber, Daisy, Lilly, Dahlia, Violet, Rosie, and Iris. They are milking goats that produce the highest protein and butterfat content (6-10%) of any dairy goat breed! Because of their small size, prolific milk production, and their ability to breed year-round they are the perfect goats for a small homestead. We breed them in the spring with new babies arriving in the fall. This pregnancy schedule allows us to focus on Campfire Cabins and our growing season. When things slow down in the fall, we have time to milk each day, and mammas and babies get a few quiet months to bond.
Since we do not use pesticides or herbicides here, we depend on them for weed control. They browse the property during the day eating bark, grass, and weeds and return to the barn at night. They love being around people and getting attention, but they also can be very naughty! Over the years they have learned to visit guests and neighbors and beg for food. They each have a distinctive personality and they are loved. That being said, if you find their presence a nuisance, please let us know and we will gladly move them up to the barn for a time out.
We are often asked how we keep them on the property without fences. The truth is that there isn’t a fence or gate on the property they haven’t gotten out of. With so many acres of fencing they were always finding a way under, though, or over! So, a few years ago when we were overrun with Canadian thistle we started grazing them outside of the fence in problem areas. We noticed how happy they were just chilling near the cabins and how much the guests enjoyed their antics. Long story short…they’ve been free
ranging ever since. We’re not saying they haven’t crossed the highway to visit a DOT worker once or twice, but for the most part they stay on property.
Fun Facts About Goats:
Nigerian Dwarf goats are known for being gentle, affectionate, trainable, and intelligent which makes them great pets, often compared to dogs!
Get to Know Life at the Deer Creek Homestead
Walk the grounds, meet the animals, and see how the homestead comes to life. A visit is the best way to understand the heart of Deer Creek and the way we live here. If you have a reservation with Campfire Cabins and would like to arrange a tour, please reach out! Check out campfire-cabins.com for information and reservations.
