profile

Deborah Niemann @ Thrifty Homesteader

Hi! Are you ready to learn more about goats, chickens, and gardening? Check out the resources I offer below and sign up for my newsletter!

Featured Post

🎙️[new episode] 📚 Goats in America: From Outcasts to Icons

Hello Reader, Did you know goats were once banned in early American colonies for eating fruit trees? 🍎🐐 In this week’s episode of For the Love of Goats, I chat with Tami Parr, author of Goats in America: A Cultural History, who reveals how goats went from unwanted troublemakers to the stars of goat yoga, artisan cheese, and viral videos. Tami shares fascinating stories from 400 years of goat history—from the days when goats were blamed for destroying orchards, to the 19th century, when goat...

Hello Reader, Ever thought your goats could do more than graze and give milk? This 4-part series shows you how to transform your friendly barnyard companion into a capable working goat. From selecting the right gear to building trust through training, you’ll learn each step of teaching your goat to pull a cart with confidence and ease. When chicken keepers are suddenly unable to find any eggs or a lot less than normal, they usually start to worry and wonder what's wrong. You've likely heard...

Hello Reader, From yoga mats to milking pails, these episodes highlight the many ways goats enrich our lives. Discover how one woman turned goat yoga into a global phenomenon, how another farmer built a thriving gelato business, and how experts tackle serious goat health issues like deer worm and pneumonia. You can download the episode to listen offline—perfect if you’re out in the field with no signal. Here's how! Prefer reading? A full transcript is available too! Goat Yoga When people hear...

Hello Reader, We bred our first two does a few days ago, which means we should see our first babies around the end of March! Each of our new Rosasharn bucks that we brought home from Massachusetts in June bred a doe. We also spent way too much time catching our other bucks and moving them back to their pasture, which was on the other side of the farm because we are not using them this fall, and we didn't want any unauthorized breeding. I think someone must have shared that memo with them...

Hello Reader, Whether you’re caring for senior goats, fine-tuning your pregnant does’ diets, or planning ahead for next year’s kids, this issue has you covered — from feeding and castration to keeping your milk and meat safe. And when the chores are done, cozy up with a comforting goat goulash recipe that proves goat meat can be both tender and delicious. Caring for Senior Goats Older goats need special attention when temperatures drop. From extra bedding to checking teeth and weight, a few...

Hello Reader, On Friday, I arrived home to discover our bucks had escaped while my husband was on his way to pick me up at the airport! Nothing says "Welcome Home!" like escaped goats to keep you humble. I learned so much in the five days I was at the conference, especially in the 16 veterinarian sessions I attended. Tammy Gallagher, who helps answer questions on social media and when you email the team here, also attended, and we were comparing notes for hours at the end of each day. On...

Hello Reader, I’ve been at the American Dairy Goat Association convention since Saturday and have really enjoyed learning about all the latest research on important topics like mastitis, disbudding, pregnancy toxemia, and more. And of course, it is always fun to sit around talking about everything goat with other people who love their goats as much as I do! 🌱🐐🐓🦆🍮 Are you unsure about whether it's ok to keep sheep and goats together? Like many things related to livestock, this question does...

Hello Reader, With so much goat advice floating around online, it’s easy to feel unsure about what’s true. This week, we’re tackling common myths and misunderstandings — from AI-generated goat care tips to the realities of closed herds and disease testing. You’ll also learn how to improve breeding success and make more confident decisions for your herd. Don't forget to click the 'Subscribe' button below any video to stay updated with our latest releases! ▶ AI Goat Care Advice: What You Need...

Hello Reader, I'm getting ready for my flight to Boston tomorrow, where I'll be attending the American Dairy Goat Association conference. I'll be doing a talk on caring for senior goats, but more importantly, I'll be attending sessions presented by vet professors, researchers, and knowledgeable breeders. The conference starts on Saturday with the vet sessions, which are organized by the American Association of Small Ruminant Professionals. My goal is to do a livestream every night of the...

Hello Reader, What began as a simple idea to share a little “goat happiness” became an international sensation. In this episode, I’m joined by Lainey Morse, founder of the original Goat Yoga, for an inspiring conversation about how goats can bring laughter, peace, and connection to people everywhere. Lainey shares how Goat Yoga started on her small Oregon farm during one of the hardest times in her life—and how it unexpectedly went viral across the world. We also talk about what really...