We had decided last year we wanted to downsize goats. We’ve had a posted on a local FB group and had a few people interested, but only sold kids. Recently we have decided to put them back on the market. Abigail wanted to keep Shepherd for his coat and one of the baby girls, Marble, for a pet and sell the rest. And they are still for sale if anyone is interested.
We started the afternoon with some target practice. We like the children to be comfortable with guns and we want them to understand the danger of them. We use a .22 rifle. It’s light enough for the younger ones to use. Come to find out, Urijah is a pretty good shot. 3 of his 4 shots hit the target.
After a little little target practice Abigail put Shepherd down. She is the one who takes care of the goats, she is the one who decided who stays and who goes and she wanted be a part of as much as she could.
She and Quinten butchered him. She took the hide. The littles observed. I love how Mosiah stands. Whenever there’s something to watch from a safe distance, he stands this way. Every now and then he will stick his hands out and say “back up”. Isaac dissected the organs. We let everyone who was interested look over the organs. Issac made a few videos. He said he was going to look up the organs so he can remember what he got wrong.
One thing we expressed with this exercise is gun safety. The children, especially the younger ones, saw first hand how dangerous they are. I know a few questioned the rifles by the door in the video we did, but they weren’t loaded. When loaded they are kept up high, easy for adult reach. We also discussed the purpose of raising animals for food and other uses and gave thanks to Shepherd for his companionship and serving his purpose.
We tried to use as much of the goat as possible. We gave the dogs a few pieces and discarded the intestinal track. Alma got the liver. His reward for being the best guardian dog ever. Tonight’s dinner is bbq and we will use the raw bones for a few projects such as carving and the cooked bones with make a broth for the dogs. The head is being saved for tanning, and if the children are up to it, more dissection. I will update on the April Homestead journal.
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Lisa
Very nice!!! Education all children and adults need!
We did the same and guess what we will survive if things got crazy. And the people who criticize this will be the first to run to us because they won’t know how to survive ??
Heather
We raised chickens after dad was on a 4 yr lay off. Lost the cattle. We are a few of are goats sold most of them. I remember haven to help dad with the chickens. We beheaded 25 chickens in one day. Took me forever to be able to eat chicken after all that.
kym
The kids show a high level of absorbed education. Fascinating how some public opinions can be so far from the truth. Again, I draw the conclusion you two are great parents educating your children.
Michelle
After looking at the photos and video of the organs, I’d say that was a healthy goat, good for eating. The liver is dark red with no discoloration, the lungs a vibrant pink, and the heart looks healthy. Good job young people! I’d say your butchering process was sound as well. A .22 to the brain is a very common practice to stun on farm before bleeding and butchering.
I wish you would share your recipe. I always parboil before BBQing it makes it all so tender.
Tanning and softening hides is a learning experience. Even if the hide doesn’t soften up the way you’d like, it’s still usable for other projects (goat hide ottoman, fur covered boxes, jewelry/accessories, rugs, etc.). The best thing for long life is removal of all the flesh and fat. I can’t wait to see how you do!
Thatsanono
OMGoodness! How these kids have grown. So happy to see you all continue to do well. Your little Sheppard, meaning Abigail, is doing an awesome job,with her goats, curious what she will do with her beautiful gift, of the hide, from her goat “Sheppard?” Hope she keeps us posted. Mom and dad are doing a great job! Wish more family’s could unite and learn as much as these kids do. Not enough words to praise the lessons you all are sharing with each other. Keep up the good work 🙂
Eulanda
Great job kids and Abigail. .using the brains to tan hide is the best..I love liver so I would have ate that myself. .great life..love the videos of the heart..n seeing how the lungs work..thanks..enjoy ur reward
Jacqueline R
I’m sorry..this just made me cry on many levels. 🙁 I wishedn’t looked at it.
needinc
I’ve really enjoyed learning how to tan hides. My oldest does the skinning for me and my other two boys hep me with the rest. My youngest still loves to talk about the time he held a deer heart in his hands! Great job!
Rachel Espino
This is a great post. You have encouraged me to perhaps do this for ourselves. I am proud of your kids.
Annette
I was going to suggest Birria too! One of my favorite Mexican stews! I love that Abigail is using the hide. It looks like the kids understand and enjoy their life on the homestead?
Here’s a link for a recipe. https://g.co/kgs/tcA6t
Anne Check
What an informative and interesting post. I admire that you teach your children the cycle of life.
Sarah Dickison
Great job Momma ! What a wonderful family lesson to have done together ! Looked like Daddy was helping the littles too.
April
I will have to find you a good recipe for Birria… People probably won’t understand, but this is part of growing up on a farm. Even though I got attached to the animals, and cried when my uncle butchered them, I understood that this was a part of life, and was thankful for the experience. We often pressure canned the chunks of meat for making stews in the future. That would be a shelf-stable way of storing it without the need for refrigeration.