7questions

…with goatkeeper Emma du Boulay

From Easingwold in North Yorkshire, Emma has six goats along with sheep, horses, pigs, cattle and chickens on her smallholding

1

Why did you choose to keep goats? I’ve always loved goats from a young age – one used to share a field with our ponies and it would play a game of chase with me!

2

What breed did you go for? Boers. They have great temperaments and fabulous floppy ears. My two older girls, Audrey and Fenella, are a dairy-cross, so hopefully once they’ve kidded, there should be plenty of milk, too.

3

Are they hard work? We’ve been very lucky with them and have had no problems. In fact, in some ways they’re easy animals. Goats don’t need shearing each year, for example, which saves plenty of hassle.

4

Do they have any unusual quirks? They don’t like getting wet, so they need a good shelter. In a field full of lush grass, they’ll also head straight for the trees, standing on their back legs to get the higher leaves. Nothing is off limits to goats.

5

How do they compare with other livestock? I’ve kept sheep for more than 20 years but goats are the next level for me. They have such wonderful, inquisitive characters – ours are a cross between a sheep and a dog. If the back door is left open, they’ll be in the kitchen coming to find you.

6

Do they have personalities? Goats are as individual as people. It’s really great getting to know all of them. There’s nothing better than looking out of the window and seeing them running round the field, bouncing, jumping off mounds and pinging into the air.

7

Is there anything you wish you’d known before you started? All our fields are livestock-proof, and had been for years, but they weren’t goat-proof. They’d always escape and come and find me, looking very pleased with themselves. Think Jurassic Park fencing and you’ll be fine.