New Additions to the Herd: Welcoming Momma and Baby Goat
If I’d stuck to my usual morning ritual of not checking my phone first thing, I’d have missed a post on Front Porch Forum from someone in the neighborhood looking to rehome a goat for free. Normally, I avoid the barrage of emails and news to keep my mornings peaceful, but that day, my curiosity won out.
It’s been nearly two weeks since we brought home Momma and Baby Goat. “I’d be cautious of free goats,” my friend Robyn warned over the phone, hearing the commotion in the background as Ryan and Stefan scrambled to build a shelter for our new arrivals. I’d hijacked their day by deciding, rather impulsively, to respond to the post and welcome two more members into our herd. But by the end of the day, Ryan, now covered in sawdust and sweat, admitted, “It was nice to spend the day working outside.”
Ryan and Stefan working on a goat shelter.
Initially, I had only reached out about a single goat—one lonely wether (a neutered male). Since goats are social animals, the idea of him living alone troubled me. Sadly, he was already spoken for, and I figured it wasn’t meant to be. But the very next day, as we returned from a Sunday hike at Eagle Mountain in Milton, another message popped up in my inbox: “Two goats looking to re-home.” Without hesitation, I called to learn more.
The owner explained that, despite best intentions, they struggled to keep the goats fenced in. Goats, notorious escape artists, need sturdy fencing, ideally welded wire, to prevent them from venturing into forbidden territory—like a garden full of carefully tended perennials. Lucky for us, our property already had goat fencing installed, making it easier to welcome these two.
Goats have a way of keeping life interesting. They live by the saying, “the grass is always greener on the other side.” More than once, we’ve rescued one of our goats with its head stuck in the fence, reaching for something just beyond the boundary, even if it’s readily available inside their enclosure.
Picking up Momma and Baby Goat was surprisingly smooth. They settled easily into dog crates for the short ride and, once home, paused briefly before diving into the lush grass and browse in their new environment. Watching them, I couldn’t help but wonder if they had enough to eat in their previous home or if goats simply love to eat—no matter where they are.
Momma and Baby goat in their new temporary pasture.
We tried to keep them quarantined from our original herd—Rio, Savo, and Barcelona—but the setup allowed for some nose-touching and even head-butting through the fence. They spent those initial days lying on either side of the barrier, getting to know each other in their own way. While the new arrivals adjusted, Stefan and I took on the task of expanding their space by brush-hogging a field near our solar panels and building another fence to keep the goats separate from our dogs.
Ryan briefs Stefan on how to operate the tractor and brush-hog.
Our dogs, Kepler and Bula, have their own routines in the field, primarily hunting voles. It’s amusing to watch Kepler’s boundless energy and Bula’s intense sniffing, each in their element. Though they rarely seem to sync up, their walks together offer a balance to their otherwise opposite energy levels.
With a new enclosure ready, we fenced off areas around the trees. Our original goats had already damaged one of the maples by stripping its bark. Time will tell if the tree can recover, but hopefully, our new setup will keep future browsing under control.
One of the pallet fences Stefan helped build around a maple tree in the new, larger, goat area.
Interestingly, Momma and Baby have a different temperament than our original trio. Rio, Savo, and Barcelona are more cautious, keeping their distance, which I appreciate—they’re independent and content in their space. Momma and Baby, on the other hand, are friendly and curious, often calling to me and running over when they see me nearby. They’re more social and have quickly become a presence, adding a new dynamic to our little farm.
Momma goat enjoying her new home.
Baby goat chewing her cud.
Having animals around is truly rewarding. In exchange for food, shelter, and protection from predators, they enrich our land with their manure and help manage the vegetation. It’s a balanced relationship, one where both sides benefit—a reminder of why we’re here.
Have you introduced new goats to your herd? I’d love to hear about your experiences and whether you’ve noticed different personalities among them.
[Note: This post was drafted with the help of AI.]
