Silver Star Homestead: Goat Health Check

 

Silver Star Homestead: Goat Health Check

Hi everyone, and welcome back to Silver Star Homestead! This week has been all about caring for the real MVPs of our homestead—the goats! If you’ve ever worked with goats, you know they’re 

incredibly hardy animals. But like any animals, they need regular check-ups and TLC. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the process we went through this week.

Why Regular Treatments Are Important

Our goats are one of the foundations of our homestead, providing us with milk, great company, and even occasional landscaping services (whether we want them or not!). Treating and regularly checking on them helps ensure they stay healthy, especially with the changing weather as we head deeper into fall.

The Treatment Process

Treating goats is all about patience and preparation. We start by assessing each goat’s overall condition—checking coat quality, weight, hoof condition, and general alertness. Once we have an idea of their health status, it’s time for the actual treatments, which may include:

1. Parasite Control: Keeping parasites under control is a must. We rotate treatments to prevent resistance and make sure to follow safe dosing guidelines based on each goat’s weight.

2. Hoof Trimming: Overgrown hooves can lead to a lot of issues. We take time to trim each goat’s hooves, which can be a bit of a workout. It’s not their favorite part, but it’s a necessary one!

3. Vaccinations / Supplements: This is another essential part of the routine. Staying on top of vaccinations / supplements helps prevent diseases that could spread easily within the herd.

Check out this link for all of our goat care essentials!  

Goats’ Reactions

Our goats, of course, have their own opinions about these treatments! Some are surprisingly cooperative, while others have mastered the art of dodging. Treat time helps smooth things over—a little treat goes a long way in keeping the peace.

Tips for Fellow Goat Keepers

For anyone raising goats, here are a few things we’ve learned:

• Organization is key. Having all the necessary supplies laid out makes the process smoother and less stressful.
• Be consistent with your treatment schedule. Goats are tough, but a routine helps catch any issues early.
• Patience is a goat owner’s best friend. These animals can be willful, but building trust with them really makes a difference.

Wrapping Up

At the end of treatment day, it’s always satisfying to see our herd back to their usual selves—munching on hay, playing, or lounging together. Their health and happiness are at the heart of what we do here, and treating them is a reminder of how much they mean to our homestead.

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s update from Silver Star! If you have any questions about goat care or are curious about what goes into running a small homestead, feel free to reach out. Until next time, stay well, and enjoy the season!

Lots of Love,
Bri

Leaving my “big girl job”...

Today is my last day, I'll be leaving my “big girl job” and fully stepping into life here, trading in a 8-5 for homestead hours. There’s a mix of excitement and nerves, but mostly, I feel like I’m on the brink of a new chapter that I’ve been looking forward to for a long time.

   If you’d asked me a few years ago if I saw myself leaving the stability of a traditional career, I might have laughed at the idea. But as Brian and I started picturing the kind of life we truly wanted, we found

ourselves drawn to something different: a slower, more intentional way of living, focused on family, community, and connecting with the land. The more we talked about it, the more we knew this wasn’t just a fleeting idea; it was a path we needed to follow.

   And the decision didn’t happen overnight. We spent hours, days, weeks even, considering what it would mean financially, logistically, and emotionally. We crunched numbers, educated ourselves on homesteading and simple living, and leaned on each other as we weighed the pros and cons. Over time, it became clear that the security we felt in my day job was holding us back from fully embracing this vision we both wanted so deeply and it kept us from reaching much larger potential.

   Don't get me wrong, we still don't have all of the answers but with

the plan we have and a little faith, we are taking the leap. There’s a strange mix of nostalgia and relief in finally letting go. Brian and I have spent months—years, really—getting to this point, and as it sinks in, I realize how much this decision is about something bigger than just a job change.

My job was taking away from us growing here on this little patch of paradise that we found, there just wasn't enough hours in a day. I personally was feeling the call for something different. And though I never saw myself leaving my job I starting getting the itch for more. The bottom line was I was no longer able to do BOTH well. And if you know me I am a perfectionist and overachiever. I thrive in a challenge but this particular challenge was an endless circle of splitting time that seemed to go by way too fast and wearing too many hats. 

  Preparing to leave the job that’s been part of my identity was no small task. From putting in my resignation to clearing out my workspace and finding my replacement, I found myself feeling

everything from excitement to doubt. Every conversation with coworkers reminded me of the comfort and camaraderie I’d be leaving behind, and yet, deep down, I knew I needed this change. Brian has been my rock through all of this, encouraging me to trust my instincts and reminding me of all the dreams we sketched out over cups of coffee, late-night chats, and journal scribbles.

  It’s bittersweet, closing this chapter, but I’m so ready to step fully into the next one. The road ahead might be a little uncertain, but knowing we’re doing this together, with each other’s full support, makes it all feel possible. Also I little nod to the best friends we gained through this journey who have been nothing but loving and supportive on this ride. Here’s to the next chapter at Silver Star Homestead, and to chasing dreams that feel both wild and exactly right.

Lots of Love,
Bri

Welcome to Silver Star Homestead

Hello and welcome to the first post of the Silver Star Homestead blog! My name is Bri, and I’m excited to share the journey of our homestead life with you.

For years, I dreamed of living on a farm—a place full of animals, gardens, and the chance to embrace self-sustainability. When I met my boyfriend, Brian, five years ago, we quickly discovered that we shared the same dream. We both wanted a place where we could live closer to the land, build something meaningful, and create a life that felt more connected to nature.

Through hard work, determination, and the support of some incredible friends who helped us along the way, that dream started to feel more real. At the end of 2023, we took a big step forward and bought Silver Star Homestead, and from that moment on, it’s been a whirlwind of activity! What started as a shared dream has become our everyday reality, and we’ve embraced the challenge of building this farmstead from the ground up.

In the past year, we’ve filled Silver Star with a growing family of animals—cattle, a donkey, goats, sheep, rabbits, chickens, ducks, and even turkeys. Each animal brings its own personality and quirks, adding to the dynamic of our homestead. We’ve also built a 3,000 square foot garden that’s quickly become a source of pride (and plenty of hard work). There’s something magical about harvesting your own food and knowing exactly where it comes from. 

In September of this year we made the decision that I would quit by 9-5 to further pursue growing our little patch of paradise. 

Through this blog, I’ll be sharing weekly updates, insights, and stories from life here at Silver Star. Whether it's the latest project we’re tackling, the ups and downs of farming, or the small victories that make it all worthwhile, I hope to give you a glimpse into what makes this place so special. You can expect tips for sustainable living, our favorite homestead recipes, gardening advice, and reflections on the simple joys of country life.

I’m excited to connect with fellow homesteaders and anyone curious about living on a small homestead. We don’t have all the answers,

but every day here teaches us something new, and I look forward to sharing those lessons with you.

So grab a cup of coffee (or tea!) and join us on this adventure. Here’s to a simpler, more intentional way of life—one week at a time.

Thanks for stopping by, and I can’t wait to see you next week!

Lots of Love,
Bri

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