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 Monday, we had a special Goats 365 Premium meeting to talk about what we learned — and we only got through four sessions in an hour and a half! That means, we'll be doing more special meetings weekly until we have it all covered. If you want to join us for those conversations plus three regular monthly Q&A meetings, click here!

🌱🐐🦆🐕🍪

It's breeding season which means we will all be asking ourselves the very same question: Is my goat pregnant? Determining if your doe has been successfully bred can be trickier than it seems. In this article, I cover the misleading myths that cause many to mistakenly believe there may be babies on the way. Plus, discover the ways you can know for certain you can anticipate a joyful kidding season.

Looking for a loyal guardian to protect your herd? The Great Pyrenees is known for its courage, intelligence, and gentle nature—making it one of the best livestock guardians around. Discover what makes this majestic breed so effective at keeping predators away, how to care for them, and what to consider before bringing one to your homestead.

Known for their striking black-green plumage and calm personality, Cayuga ducks are a stunning and practical addition to any homestead. Once the most popular meat duck in North America, they’re now cherished for their rich eggs, beauty, and gentle nature. Learn how to care for, raise, and enjoy this historic breed in our full guide.

🎧 Goat Milk Gelato Have you ever wondered if your goats could help pay for themselves? In this episode, I chat with Oskar Edwall from Sweden, who turned his small herd into a thriving business making goat milk gelato. He shares how he started with just five goats, experimented his way to the perfect recipe, and built a sweet success story that might inspire you to do the same! Listen in

▶ Did My Goat Really Die from Bloat? Have you ever found a dead goat that looked bloated and wondered if bloat caused the death? In this video, I explain why goats often appear swollen after dying — and how to tell the difference between true bloat and post-mortem bloating. Understanding this can help you respond quickly to real cases of bloat and avoid unnecessary worry in your herd. Watch video

📄Pumpkin Spice Cookies Pumpkin spice cookies is one of my favorite holiday cookie recipes for so many reasons — convenience, taste, and nutrition, to name only three. They’re easy to make and actually have some pretty nutritious ingredients in them. Try this recipe!

Happy homesteading!

​
Deborah
and the ThriftyHomesteader Team

📚Want to Learn Even More?

• Did you know we have a Youtube Channel with over 700 videos? From goat care to soapmaking, cheesemaking, and more—you’ll find practical, real-life tips to support your homesteading journey.
• Looking to dive deeper? Visit the Goat Academy—your go-to resource for online courses on everything from goat health and nutrition to soapmaking, gardening, composting, and starting a homestead business. Whether you’re just getting started or want to level up your skills, there’s a course for you.
• Need ongoing guidance and community support? Goats 365 is our membership program that gives you full access to six comprehensive courses, live Q&A sessions, and an engaged group of goat owners who are learning and growing together—365 days a year.

💛 Appreciate what we share?

Support our work through the tip jar—every little bit helps us keep creating helpful content for you and fellow homesteaders.

You are receiving this email because you subscribed to our email list, downloaded a free resource from our website, or purchased one of our products, memberships, or courses.

PO Box 181, Cornell, IL 61319
​Unsubscribe · Preferences

If you unsubscribe you'll be removed from all future emails. This includes important information and updates about products or courses you have purchased. If you want to opt out of a particular series of emails and don't see a link above to do so, just hit reply and let us know. We'll take care of it!