104 —Lmcwtr Farming, Saturday, October 21,1978 The Friendly family goat, more than just amusement * By LYNN HERSHE Y University of Delaware A person who can look at a goat without smiling has no sense of humor as far as I’m concerned. Goats are the one farm animal God surely created as much for amusement as for utility. Cows are ungainly, horses are hand some, mules are powerful, sheep are simple-minded, and chickens are ridiculous, but for me and a lot of other people, goats are just plain funny. I have been fond of goats ever since one insisted on joining our family years ago when we lived in Mexico. Chivo was an amiable fellow with bright friendly eyes, a cheerful expression, and large ears that flopped at right angles to bis head like drooping awnings. He was devoted to us and wanted very much to be a house goat. The closest he could come to achieving this was the back porch, where he spent as much time as possible peering in through the screened door, rubbing against anyone who hap pened by, and freely dispensing little round goat droppings everywhere. Our porch always looked as if someone had just spilled a sack of coffee beans. This last distressing habit caused my mother no end of frustration. Her efforts at keeping Chivo off the porch were heroic but un successful. Somehow he always managed to outfox (or outgoat) her and sneak bade onto the porch when she wasn’t looking. To her he was a useless pest. But to my brother and me he was an attentive and affectionate friend. Who cared if he was useless? Cocker spaniels were also useless. 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STEEL BUILDINGS & GRAIN STORAGE RD4 Box 845 LEBANON, PA. 17042 PHONE: 717-867-4139 I have since learned that not all goats are freeloaders like Chivo. They are a source not only of amusement but also of meat and leather. Furthermore, Kashmir and angora goats provide some oLthe finest, most luxurious wool in the world. But most of all, goats provide milk-sweet, creamy, delicious enough to give some cows an in feriority complex. And the 'talented goats homogenize it themselves! -The butterfat will not rise to the top, but will remain evenly dispersed throughout the milk. Many non-farm families keep a friendly nanny goal (called a doe) to provide them with milk. It’s simpler than keeping a cow. Dr., George Haenlein, Delaware extension dairy specialist, © h a :end...- ave eek nice wi © CLASSIFIED says he gets several calls a week from people who want to buy a goat-and for good reason. An ordinary doe can provide a gallon of milk a day, and will likely cost no more than $BO. (If she has registration papers she could cost $200.) Goatsd are easy to keep, says Haenlein. They eat much less than cows, and doh’t require specialized feed. They thrive on just about ' anything-grass, weeds, bark, branches, leaves, table scraps, kitchen leavings. Their bedding require ments are minimal. A small three-sided shelter is all they need, even in the winter. They like people, and can be handled by children. Also, those neat little pellets that so annoyed my mother are a big im provement over cow Poultry Facilities Livestock Areas FARMING IS A DIRTY BUSINESS. You can’t farm clean Equipment, livestock areas and buildings all get dirty And cleaning them is one of the most unpleasant jobs you have A Warwick Power Washer from Whale-O-Wash will make short work of a /hole farm full of cleaning Rent a professional grade power washer from Whale- O-Wash for as little as $65 a day and do a month’s worth of cleaning in a single afternoon | ATTENTION DAIRYMENII! 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According to Haenlein, a single acre of grass can support up to five goats, which means many city lots could suppprt one. That brings us to zoning laws. Communities which permit homeowners to keep a dog or cat may not look with favor on a goat. However, you might be surprised. For example, California allows city residents to keep up to six goats. Only if you keep seven or more are you classed as a farmer. If you’re interested in a dairy goat, Haenlein suggests local auctions and goat breeders as good sources. Regional farm publications contain ad vertisements for dairy goats. You might even find a listing in the classified 1 section of the daily fTj y . “ newspaper. And, of course, decide-to get a dairy goat, the Delaware Cooperative you can expect her to hve Extension Service is always P* r^ops *9 1J year |‘ sa , a source of helpful in- of milk-and a lot of formation. ' friendship. Milking Parlors Gas or electric povyered 1000 to 2250 psi high pressure 1 '