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Deborah Niemann @ Thrifty Homesteader

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Featured Post

Pigs in winter, goat birthing, and making muffins without eggs

Hello Reader, I’m in Ft Worth right now with my daughter and 2-year-old grandson. I watch him during the day when she is in meetings. I’ve been busy singing, dancing, drawing, racing trucks (toys, of course), and teaching yoga to my grandson. Mike is back in the frozen tundra, AKA Illinois, where temps have been single digits and teens for the past two weeks, which is very odd for us in December. The animals are doing great, as usual. They always do better than us wimpy humans. 😉 If you are...

Hello Reader, This week’s roundup brings you four essential episodes. I share what pregnant does truly need nutritionally, take a fun look at 400 years of goat history with author Tami Parr, and talk with Dr. Jamie Stewart about the most common infectious causes of miscarriages. Plus, if you’re preparing for kidding season, don’t miss the episode on the basic supplies and setup that make birthing smoother and less stressful. You can download the episode to listen offline—perfect if you’re out...

Hello Reader, We are dealing with some incredibly cold weather in Illinois right now, especially for December. We don't usually see single digits until January, but we saw them last night (and this morning)! The animals have always done fine in those temperatures, but we have on ocassion had a problem with a frozen or busted pipe. So far, so good, and fingers crossed it continues that way! ❄️🐐🏚️ When I first moved to the country, I had no idea how unprepared I was for winter—I froze my way...

Hello Reader, As winter settles in, this month’s articles focus on keeping your goats healthy, safe, and well-cared for through the coldest part of the year. You’ll find practical guidance on winter housing, minerals, and preparing for cold-weather kidding, along with a beginner-friendly roadmap for the entire birthing process. And since December isn’t complete without a little holiday sweetness, we’re finishing with a festive eggnog cake that’s as comforting as a warm barn on a chilly...

Hello Reader, Black Friday is here — and if you’re planning to shop today, you might want to peek at something special we put together. 🎉 Our Goat Care & Homesteading Supplies: Recommended by Goats 365 Members post is now live, featuring real tools and products used daily by real goat owners. These aren’t random Amazon finds — they’re the tried-and-true favorites personally recommended by our Goats 365 community. From hoof trimmers and scales to milking gear, cheesemaking tools, barn...

Hello Reader, He did it! My husband kept working after dark on Tuesday to get the new loafing shed finished on the goat barn before the crazy wind storms were due to start Wednesday! A dead tree destroyed a 3-sided shelter in the pasture, and rather than build another one, I thought it would make more sense to put a loafing shed on the south side of the barn where the goat doors are located. We will also be getting a large round bale of hay delivered and dropped right there in the middle of...

Hello Reader, We had planned to build a loafing shed on the south side of our barn so that we could put a big round bale in there for the does to eat over the winter, making chores a little easier, but guess what?! It didn't happen. It's hard to be forgiving about not getting that done, but it's not like we were sitting around all summer watching TV and eating ice cream. So, if you're beating yourself up about things you didn't get done outside when the weather was nicer, you should know...

Hello Reader, In these videos, I share personal experiences and hard-earned lessons every goat owner can relate to — from recognizing post-mortem bloating and improving your herd’s nutrition to avoiding costly deworming mistakes and managing those unexpected buck escapes. Don't forget to click the 'Subscribe' button below any video to stay updated with our latest releases! ▶ Did My Goat Really Die from Bloat? Have you ever found a dead goat that looked bloated and wondered if bloat caused the...

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...