Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian Smith.
Hi Brian, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
We were looking for something that might provide income in retirement. Not realizing that it is near impossible to make money off of anything that eats, we bought some goats. Then we bought more goats. Then we bought some more goats. Then we started breeding our own goats. And then we realized the impossibility of profit, but not before learning they are very sweet and loving little creatures, each with their own endearing personality.
Breeding is extremely satisfying but scary and a very advanced topic. We breed a small number of does each year and have occupied the pet/dairy goat segment for several years now. Our largest concern is trying to ensure forever homes for our goats. Goats are not for everyone. They have particular needs for shelter, fencing, etc and they have to be fed and receive love twice a day, so if you leave for vacation, you will need a sitter that is goat friendly. We do our best to ensure a good placement for our goats. Part of that is requiring a farm tour prior to purchase. After the tour, the people go home for a “cooling off” period. If they decide they are ready and we agree, they prepare their property for the goats. If they do not already have goats, there will be a significant investment required to prepare their space. The tour gives potential owners a beginning knowledge base needed to care for goats. About half of the people that take the tour decide that goats are not for them. We take that as a win for goats. We have had calls, “Can I send my 17 year old son to pick up a goat as a Father’s Day surprise?” We do not sell singles. Goats are herd animals and can actually die of loneliness. And we do not do surprises except a surprise farm tour for someone. Surprise goats do not do well.
We get a lot of calls for meat goats. I am there for every kidding and I immediately fall in love with every kid. Selling a goat for meat is not something I can do. We do not have a problem with people eating goats. Just not our goats. If you want a meat goat, google for “Halal goats” or “meat goat supplier” or check our website for a local Halal breeder.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh goodness, yes, there have been challenges to raising goats. Goats are prey animals so they are extremely good at hiding illness. A goat does not want to be seen as weak or sick or they will be picked off by the mountain lion. So you have to be constantly vigilant for the slightest symptoms.
We “vet” our clients as best we can, but some drop off the face of the earth after picking up goats and I worry about having misjudged and failed the goats.
Kidding is a combination of joyousness, terror, and is exhausting. Adeline prematurely kidded her beautiful twins during the February cold and we have lost some kids along the way.
Goats live to be about 14 years old, but we have lost some at too young an age.
Minion had an extremely strong sense of protection toward any doe he was placed with. I first noticed this when he moved in with Nova. Nova had some malaise, I can’t remember now what it was, but she needed some quiet time. I moved her into what was then the quarantine pen and moved Minion in with her. She would lay down, and Minion would lay next to and behind her, wrapping around her watching out over her while she slept.
Later, towards the end of Minty’s first pregnancy, Dr. Margi wanted Minty to be moved into the kidding pen and said, “She needs someone to keep her company. Someone that will not fight with her.” I said, “I know just the goat. This is a job for Minion.” “Are you sure they will get along?” “Yes. Watch this.” And Minion was her quiet companion. When Minty started labor, I locked Minion out of the stall and after Minty kidded Pom Pom, I looked outside and saw Minion was lying with his back to the stall door to be as close to her as he could get.
Minion developed a seizure disorder. This can be from something like goat epilepsy, but in Minion’s case it was from his heart not working correctly. When his heart rate went up, rather than going back down where it should, his heart would slow down too much resulting in a seizure. If he was a person, he would have been put on a pacemaker. We kept him as quiet as possible to avoid raising his heart rate. He would be the first to get his feet trimmed or whatnot, to minimize his being chased around. He would have a series of a few seizures every few months, but as time went by, they became more frequent and more severe. Eventually he had the one that caused damage to his brain. Minion was an amazing fellow. We miss you little man.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We are a hobby goat farm that breeds and sells Nigerian Dwarf goats. We specialize in raising well socialized goats. Our large animal veterinarian says we have some of the best behaved goats she has ever seen. We invest a lot of love in them, and they learn to trust and love people. We teach people about goats and their needs and we provide forever support to anyone with goats, whether you buy them from us or someone else. It is all about the goats.
What are your plans for the future?
We had a band of high school fellows that helped out extensively here. It started when I broke my collarbone and could not carry bags of feed. My wife put out a school email asking if anyone knew of a reliable high school student to unload feed bags out of the truck and into the barn. Alex came and asked about various friends coming to help. I asked them if they were interested in replacing a frost free water hydrant. Then they rebuilt the barn. Then they built a shed for Lina. Then they built a new barn. And another shed. And fencing. And etc etc etc. Then they built a 30’x30′ steel farm building. An Amish fellow came looking for goats and commented “These are not easy to build. They did a fine job.” I forwarded that comment along to the fellows and added “Coming from an Amish farmer, that is saying something!” They worked on everything here through high school and during college breaks. They came to be like sons to me. They are the finest young men. Breaking my collarbone was one of the best things to ever happen to me. But I do not plan on doing that again.
The fellows have contributed so much to the place. I am in awe at what they accomplished. Because of their efforts, we are well situated for caring for our goats and do not plan on any major updates.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://teachersfollyfarm.com
