On 3rd August we paid an unannounced visit to the big goat milk farm “Klavergeit” in the Netherlands. The farm houses 1640 goats. The barn was well ventilated and there was plenty of daylight. The goats were kept on a thick layer of straw. Unfortunately, the goats do not have the opportunity to climb, although it is known goats love to climb – sadly, climbing apparatus are rarely seen at goat farms.
At Klavergeit, kids are born on a regular basis. The rearing of the Klavergeit kids (male and female) happens on other farms. The farmer told us that his kids – both male and female – are given colostrum in order to keep them healthy. He also explained that the farm where his male goats are fattened, does not rear kids from any other goat milk farms – so the spread of disease is kept to a minimum.
Via telephone we spoke to the farmer who fattens the male kids from Klavergeit. He invited us to visit his farm in November, as soon as kids are present.
We would like to thank the farmer of Klavergeit for his hospitality and the opportunity to view his farm and to ask questions. We would also like to thank the fattening-farmer for inviting us to his farm in November.
