After we purchased our small house on six acres in the spring of 2010, we decided to invest in a variety of farm animal to help enrich our lives as new farm owners. We already had horses (see our blog “Walkapony Ranch”) and now it was time to add chickens and more!

Had we found a sheep first, we would probably be shepherds, but instead we found “Steiger”. At first glance he was a handsome Pygmy buckling, but upon arrival at a friends farm, we quickly discovered he was the most unsocial of the group. The timid buckling took refuge in the small doghouse style shelter while we discussed purchasing one of the more social goats- but something was different about this one. Maybe it was his chocolate and white coloring, maybe it was his cute dished nose profile, whatever it was- we decided he was the goat for us.

After pulling him away from the securities of his doghouse (it was actually more like dragging him while he bleated frantically), we loaded him up to take him home, excited to show him his new pen and new home!

We carried him to his new domain by the barn (which included his own dog igloo surrounded by a fortress of 4’ tall cattle panels). He seemed content and started munching on his hay, so we let him be and went inside for dinner. We started trying to think of a name for our goat.

That’s when the bleeting began- endless “meeeh...meh... meeehaaaa!” All from one little goat. Being shy, even our company did not satisfy him. This was when we realized that maybe, just maybe, one was not enough.

But he needed a name before we could bring home another, what to name him? Hmmm... cocoa, buddy.. too generic...

Then the shenanigans began. He was out and loose... and difficult to catch...

Once back in his pen, we thought maybe we didn’t latch the gate tight enough. So goat in pen, gate closed, gate latched and back to our daily routine.

Then he was out again... and again... and again... each time we evaluated the pen, moving the igloo further from the fence, moving the water bucket away from the fence... oh! the maybe he was using the feed bowl for extra leverage to jump the fence.... oops, that’s not it.... oh! he can fit through this hole here.... good he’s in and secure! (Again)

More bleeting.... and how the heck did he get out again! He’s such a climber!! (Ohhhh maybe that’s a name for him) but somehow that didn’t fit- he needed a name that meant something a little more.

Steiger! That’s it! He actually even responded to the name with a tilt of his head! So it was official, our first goat is “Steiger” which is the German word for climber. Now the search was on for a companion, surly this would entice our cute menace to stay in his pen!

Now it was off to the Somerville Livestock Auction for a companion, fingers crossed that we could find a friend for Steiger.

It all started with one goat…

Basic Goat Care & Needs