This week on the ranch, we’ve got our young hens working half the barn, scratching through the bedding and cleaning up after the goats. They’re doing what chickens do best—turning packed areas into loose, manageable bedding. Watching them work reminded me how often I get asked whether goats and chickens can safely live together, so that’s what we’re diving into today.

In this episode, I’m breaking down the real benefits of keeping goats and chickens together, the legitimate risks you need to manage, and the simple guidelines that make mixed housing safe. I’m also sharing what the newest research says about coccidia—specifically whether chickens can give it to goats—and how to decide if this setup is right for your farm or homestead.

At the end of the episode, I’ll give you a quick preview of next week’s topic where we’re going deep into coccidia: what it is, how it works, why some strains are more dangerous, and the management shifts that helped us break the cycle of coccidiosis in our own herd.

In This Episode, I Cover:

Key Takeaways:

Related Episodes:

All the Best,

Resources & Links:

Disclaimer:

In today’s episode, we talk about the mindset that actually makes farming, homesteading and livestock work sustainable. Not ease, not perfection — but gratitude, grit, and learning to find the good even when the hard days hit. I’m sharing two real-life stories from our ranch that shaped how I approach challenges, and practical ways you can apply this mindset on your own homestead.

All the Best,

Resources & Links:

Disclaimer:

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about the transition from conventional agriculture and livestock production to a regenerative or restorative system.  I spent two days in the truck, listening to Will Harris’ book, A Bold Return to Giving a Damn, and it gave me some great insights into the decades-long journey of White Oak Pastures, as well as a look into the future of our ranch.  If you’re considering a production system that is closer to nature’s design or if you’re in the messy middle like we are, this episode will help you see the possibilities, problems, and the beautiful potential.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

53 | Livestock and Land Management that Works WITH Your Environment and Resources, Not Against Them

45 | Health Benefits of Ruminant Red Meat, Grass-Fed vs Grain-Fed, and Special Characteristics of Goat Meat

21 | Seeking Sustainability?  How to Evaluate Options and Make Decisions with a Sustainability Mindset

08 | When Animals Aren’t Working Out on the Homestead: How to Evaluate Your Livestock Projects and Decide to Keep or Sell

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https://www.getgoatwise.com/kidding-chart

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

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Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance.

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about goat fence, specifically, a night trap which is one part of a big fence project we’re working on.  A night trap is a pen that is used to keep goats in at night and when they can’t be out grazing during the winter.  It’s designed to easily contain the goats as well as protect them from outside predators.  We’ve built a few of these over the years, and I’m going to give you the overview of how to do it with very little tools like we did in the beginning to now, using some helpful equipment, but not required.  Having a secure place to contain your goats will ease your mind and make raising goats so much easier.

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

55 | Fencing for Goats: Two Things You Must Have to Keep Your Goats Contained and Safe

56 | True or False? Goats are Escape Artists (Hint/ The Answer Is in Your Management Strategy)

13 | Using Electric Fence with Goats? What You Need to Know to Keep Your Goats Contained and Alive with Electric Netting

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance.

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about internal parasites, or worms, different species, the problems they cause, and how you can help your goats resist parasites, how to monitor your herd, and how to treat them when you need to.  Internal parasites are one of the biggest problems that goat owners face, and being armed with some strategies to monitor, support, and treat your goats is the best defense against these little invaders.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

https://kinderground.org

https://lakelandfarmandranch.com/usa/

Related Episodes:

08 | When Animals Aren’t Working Out on the Homestead: How to Evaluate Your Livestock Projects and Decide to Keep or Sell

17 | Do My Goats Need Mineral?  How to Meet Their Micronutrient Needs and Keep the Herd Healthy

22 | What Is the Perfect Meat Goat? How to Choose the Right Breed for Your Farm or Homestead PART 1

23 | Boer vs Kiko, What Meat Goat Breed is the Best Fit for Your Farm or Homestead? PART 2

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Disclaimer: The information shared in this episode is for educational purposes only and should not be considered veterinary advice. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for animal health guidance.

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about breed registries, making decisions based on performance data, livestock industry problems created by breeding for maximum production, hybrid vigor, and what you need to know before you decide if you should raise registered or unregistered goats.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

22 | What Is the Perfect Meat Goat? How to Choose the Right Breed for Your Farm or Homestead PART 1

23 | Boer vs Kiko, What Meat Goat Breed is the Best Fit for Your Farm or Homestead? PART 2

27 | Which Goats Should I Keep to Breed? How to Select Replacement Does and Plan Your Goat Breeding Season

76 | How to Choose Future Breeding Bucks for Your Goat Herd

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about weaning goat kids, different methods for weaning, timing to prevent unintentional breeding by buck kids, if you should wean wether and doe kids at all, and how to decide what weaning strategy will work best for your goat herd and management system.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Mentions:

46 | Early Banding vs Late Banding in Buck Kids: Will Your Goats Be Healthy if You Band Them Early?

Related Episodes:

14 | When Should My Goats Kid? Timing Your Production Cycle to Optimize Goat Fertility and Forage Nutrition

20 | Lessons from Raising Livestock: 5 Problems That Can Be Avoided or Solved with a Good Mentor

26 | Is My Goat Old Enough to Breed? How To Decide When Your Does Are Ready Have Their First Kids

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about youth livestock programs, gaining wisdom by learning from experience, and the importance of teaching kids about livestock and where their food comes from.  Whether kids are involved in a formal program or have their own projects on the homestead, farm, in the back yard, or even a rented space at a nearby farm, raising livestock can be a life-changing experience for kids.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

12 | Raising Kids and Livestock? Teach Life Lessons, Build Character, and Strengthen Your Relationships While Raising Animals

18 | Interview with Sage Bradshaw on Life with Livestock and 4-H Projects PART 1

19 | Interview with Sage Bradshaw on Life with Livestock and 4-H Projects PART 2

70 | How Livestock, Chores, and Good Mentors Create Resilient, Confident Kids Who Are Prepared for the Challenges Life Brings

75 | How Livestock Shaped My Life and Why I’m Here to Help You

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about winter grazing and the different ways you can feed your livestock in a sustainable, regenerative way while meeting their needs and promoting nutrient cycling and land improvement.  We’ll define terms like swath grazing, bale grazing, cover crop and residue grazing and discuss how each of them could benefit your management system.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

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35 | Winter Hay Feeding Evaluation:  Meeting Nutritional Requirements of Goats and Reducing Hay Waste

42 | Surviving Extreme Cold with Livestock When Your Animals Aren’t Adapted to Freezing Temperatures

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/

Hi friends!  Today we’re talking about preparing for winter on the ranch and homestead, and what we do to make sure the animals and people are taken care of through the cold winter months.  We’ll talk about livestock feed and water, general fall clean up that makes winter work easier, and a quick overview of what we prepare for our family that supports us through the winter as well as the rest of the year.  Let’s get to it!

All the Best!

Millie

Related Episodes:

28 | Winter Feed for Livestock: Calculate How Much Hay You Need and a Strategy Save Money

31 | Are Winter Heat Lamps Bad for Chickens? How to Prepare Your Flock for a Comfortable Winter

36 | What We Miss the Most While Building Our Off-Grid Life

49 | 3 Strategies to Make the Best Use of Bulk Meat Storage and Avoid Freezer Overwhelm

Get your farm fresh meat here:

https://drycreekheritagemeats.com

Join our email list and be first to get updates and special offers:  https://www.getgoatwise.com/insider

Join the FB Community: https://www.getgoatwise.com/community

Connect with me:

Email: [email protected]

See what’s happening on the ranch: https://www.instagram.com/drycreekpastures/