there are two important points i need to go over 1st..
thanks ; )
Why are you a prepper?
Most people will answer: to survive and keep their Loved ones alive..
and while that's a pretty common answer, it isn't the best answer..
You see you and your family have the Greatest chance of survival in a community.
Now maybe (if you watch the Walking Dead) you're thinking it's going to be mostly groups of cannibals, violent biker gangs, and perhaps the Lord Humungus himself will descend upon your feeble group of goodie goodies, and demand tribute in the form of Gasoline, Pigs, and a Virgin Bride...
All this, in a kill or be killed world..
photo courtesy of the internet
The reality is that most people (especially families with children) will steer away from bad people, and bad groups...
This means that good people will band together in even greater numbers...
avoiding violence, preferring compromise, and defending their communities, in a live, and let live World..
Your challenge is to become an asset to a group of good people...
What skills do you bring to the group? How will you increase the groups survival capability?
The 2nd point i want to make is this:
From the Dawn of Humanity (however we came to be matters not) we were built to walk, and that fact is evident in so many ways.
Walking facilitates digestion, an evening stroll after dinner does wonders for longevity.
Walking and or backpacking works the bodies core, which is a major group of muscles, that strengthen the lower back, abdomen, and the legs.
Walking / hiking improves circulation, which is the cornerstone of Healthy tissue throughout the body..
Humankind has survived because of their ability to migrate with few possessions, and start anew somewhere else, somewhere better...
A place more conducive to Human Survival
We'll find that place when we get there,
maybe the birds will show us the way...
This is what will keep Free People Alive the next time calamity strikes the Earth...
Nomadic Mobility
Nomadic Mobility has always been Our Greatest Strength;
utilizing our wit and adaptability of course, we improvise, and overcome obstacles,
We Learn and we move on...
Now about those goats
Goats are matriarchal, they follow the oldest female;
if you are the human care giver you become the matriarch; that means they follow you, and rely on you to lead them..
They eat weeds! (preferably above 12")... All kinds of young herbaceous shrubs and tree saplings, of almost every variety with a few exceptions (they pretty much know what not to eat).
They eat on the go!! Nibbling fresh greenery along the way, especially when you are taking a break, to eat and re-hydrate, or to set up camp in the evening.
They provide nutritious calories in the form of Milk!! Milk makes cheese, and yogurt.
You can get Meat and a workable hide, but only if one becomes wounded, they will be worth far more for breeding.
They have abundant offspring, and just a few can form a nice herd in as little as two years time.
They can carry 15-25% of their body weight with a proper pack, depending on their size and age.
They will bed down and sleep right around you outdoors; and be foraging while you are breaking camp.
A couple of good dogs, and a rifle will help keep them safe.
Any sick ones could become dog food.
With goats you have a tangible asset to trade / barter, plus all the extra stuff they carry (even a young goat can carry a couple of laying hens).
With Goats you can start a Nomadic Community!
Kiko's are an excellent breed for the Homesteader or the Nomadic prepper..
When i used to have Kiko Goats i made this post....
Someday i'll get some Kiko goats again, when we're better situated for some serious homesteading;
living in the suburbs just isn't the place for it;
even though we've got 7 acres, goats are escape artists, and they will definitely work their way out, under, over, or through the fence; they like to walk the fence line, and will take advantage of a fallen tree that's close to the fence, they will also test gates, just to see if they can open them.....
and now a Haiku
happy goats just want to roam;
Moses knew it too..
Thank you for your time, and thank you
for showing me how to do the grey typing
Tipping is not a city in China; comments are Greatly appreciated..