As you may know, I've been dairy free for over 20 years and just recently figured out that goats cheese doesn't cause me any of the horrible side affects of regular cow dairy. Since I started a few months back, it was only a matter of time before I'd get the bug! I cook everything else from scratch... Why not my cheese and yogurt, too?
So, I went on a field trip to gather more experience with two of my favorite eaten items. I have a friend that knows a lady that rescues goats and chickens. I went to meet her today to pick her brain about making cheese and laying chickens.
So, I went on a field trip to gather more experience with two of my favorite eaten items. I have a friend that knows a lady that rescues goats and chickens. I went to meet her today to pick her brain about making cheese and laying chickens.
I learned all kinds of goaty things like:
They produce up to 1 gallon a day! They get milked twice a day and they have to get pregnant to produce milk (unlike chickens). Seems logical now, but all the goats I had growing up were male! I never thought about it before!
The males pee on them selves to attract the females. This is the pungent, horrific smell I remember from my child hood! Its also why I can't heat up my goat cheese or melt it. It brings out that aroma. I generally only eat it cold or raw, which is the best thing anyways for the live cultures and health benefits.
They produce up to 1 gallon a day! They get milked twice a day and they have to get pregnant to produce milk (unlike chickens). Seems logical now, but all the goats I had growing up were male! I never thought about it before!
The males pee on them selves to attract the females. This is the pungent, horrific smell I remember from my child hood! Its also why I can't heat up my goat cheese or melt it. It brings out that aroma. I generally only eat it cold or raw, which is the best thing anyways for the live cultures and health benefits.
This means, with the 17 goats they have, plus all the 30+ chickens, they are working all day into the night either milking, gathering, cleaning, tending, or making products!
Each cheese taste different due to length of time fermenting, additives like salt, lemon, pepper, etc... as well as the bacteria starter used.
Some come out sweeter and others sharp or sour. There is no real goat cream because their milk molecules are smaller and not as fatty. Which is one of the reasons some people have intolerance to cow dairy, but not goat.
They only ask for donation and label all products for pet consumption, because of California pasteurization laws. So ask around to find your local farmer. Drink at your own risk! That's what the store bought, antibiotic filled, homogenized, grain fed dairy ought to say!
Ok...okay. Let's keep this informational. I'll step off the soap box.
My recipe for quark cheese will be up soon. It's the texture of sour cream, but supposed to be sweet not sour! Perfect! Maybe I can use it as my yogurt and not have to add jam or stevia!
Some come out sweeter and others sharp or sour. There is no real goat cream because their milk molecules are smaller and not as fatty. Which is one of the reasons some people have intolerance to cow dairy, but not goat.
They only ask for donation and label all products for pet consumption, because of California pasteurization laws. So ask around to find your local farmer. Drink at your own risk! That's what the store bought, antibiotic filled, homogenized, grain fed dairy ought to say!
Ok...okay. Let's keep this informational. I'll step off the soap box.
My recipe for quark cheese will be up soon. It's the texture of sour cream, but supposed to be sweet not sour! Perfect! Maybe I can use it as my yogurt and not have to add jam or stevia!
| Since we are in California, the farmers have to do something for the coyotes. Believe it or not, two of these is all they use. Many of the goats and chickens run free all day in the yard, but at night they go into a very simple coop. A coyote could totally jump into! I used to live on an avocado ranch and we had goats, sheep, chickens... They would surround the fence and find any weakness or higher ground to jump over. This little devise shines a red lazer at night and it somehow makes the predators think there is another predator, so they leave it alone! Pretty cool and solar powered. |  |
Isn't she a beauty?!
The hens, without a rooster will lay eggs, but the farmer calls them 1/2 an egg. They only contain half the hormone set from the hens when they aren't fertilized. All fertilized eggs could potentially produce a baby chick if the egg is not put into the fridge or left out un- sat upon for too long. I remember that in France, they don't eat an egg until 24 hours after it was laid. Those French can be superstitious, but they know their farm fresh food. I think I'll adopt this technique if I ever get a hen house of my own again.
The hens, without a rooster will lay eggs, but the farmer calls them 1/2 an egg. They only contain half the hormone set from the hens when they aren't fertilized. All fertilized eggs could potentially produce a baby chick if the egg is not put into the fridge or left out un- sat upon for too long. I remember that in France, they don't eat an egg until 24 hours after it was laid. Those French can be superstitious, but they know their farm fresh food. I think I'll adopt this technique if I ever get a hen house of my own again.
I couldn't resist! I got some eggs, too! I hope they hold me over till I get my own coop. Goats, never again. I love them, but boy are they stinky!!!!!! I'll just visit from time to time.
What a fun outing! I can't wait to attempt some cheese from the raw milk I bought. This trip brought so much satisfaction. I'm a country girl and miss my roots living in the city. I will go back every time I'm near!
What a fun outing! I can't wait to attempt some cheese from the raw milk I bought. This trip brought so much satisfaction. I'm a country girl and miss my roots living in the city. I will go back every time I'm near!
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