Livestock Goats

Here come the goats with their shaggy long coats. Aren't these a pretty sight to be seen off in the distance climbing the mountain in search of the sun. Well, it's not just sun that are after but also some food. See, goats have a mighty funny quality in that these will eat just about anything. Having feasted on the green grass of the meadow below, these have now found themselves climbing higher in search of the pasture. There is none to be found at that altitude, however, for these had all left it back down in the valley below. Surely up in the mountains some tasty shrub might still grow. Yet even that is doubtful as these are now surrounded with a mountain of rock, earth, and stone. Responsible goat owners are aware of the danger these wanderings cause and so plan on fencing them in. Goats come with a host of other bad habits such as constantly running, and jumping, and darting at stuff just as their friendlier cousin the lambs. Not content with this, the males of the pack will put down their head and lower their horns. Male goats of especially large size become known as rams. Another issue we have with the goat is that few are born gentle.

In mating season and in all others, the horns become a sort of a contest, one of their own pride and joy. The behavior manifested is known as butting or headbutting, where these lower their heads and charge into stuff. This can be another person, a tree, a building, or even each other. Their final quality brings concerns of their appetite. See, goats are especially healthy, with seemingly cast-iron stomachs capable of eating anything and everything in sight that isn't nailed down. For those that would like their clothes to be set out on the line and gone the next day, this is some wonderful news indeed. Perhaps the idea of having a goat has tickled your fancy. They are surprisingly easy to care for, so I've been told. On the other hand, the female goats make excellent milk. This can be strained and heated to make cheeses and such. While a long goat hair sweater was not what you needed, it sure is nice to know some parts of the goat are worth eating.

And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying,

17 Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and God hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before the LORD?

Leviticus 10:16-17