Hello from West Texas

Wow, this is a great group loaded with information - which I need desperately! I and my husband are living the retired life (he was Army for 25 years) and have decided to start a small homestead ranch on our 25-acre lot east of ElPaso. We almost have the house done, and I am so glad as it's rather cramped living in an RV with 8 large dogs (3 rotts, 3 chocolate labs, and 2 Siberian Huskies)! The next project will be a small-animal barn for the Nigerian Dwarfs I plan on getting. I am a lover of research, so I am collecting as much information as I can before jumping in the fire! My background includes building and house design, structural steel management/detailing, school bus driver, mother of two (now grown) student for over 15 years (now working on masters in History), and wife of a disabled veteran. 

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  • Julieanne Cook ,

    Thank you. We are now up to 45 acres as we found the lot across the road was available and grabbed it up. I told my husband that can be for his horses and beef cows, I want the goats closer. We discovered there is a rather large mountain lion in the area, so I am rethinking the height of the fencing and extra security measures to include motion activate floodlights and electric lines on the outside. The entire development is also open to grazing, and we have to fence our stock to prevent the steer from invading. My friend down the road a mile or so has 9 alpaca, those cows love to run through her fence and steel hay and water - so I am relly going to fortify mine. 



  • Deborah Niemann-Boehle 

    Our dogs actually do rather well with other animals (with the exception of chickens), their training includes socialization practices. Four of them function as PSD service animals. The husky pups still need work, but we have noticed they have strong nurture instincts that may work in our favor. 

  • Thank you for your service! My hubby was medically retired as well, but we kinda got stuck here in ElPaso. It seriously was not a first choice, but after spending time in the desert east of town, it has grown on us some - bonus getting 45 acres for peanuts helped! We spent the summer building a small cottage house, next is the fencing and barn(s). 

  • Welcome Tricia. I spent some time there in El Paso myself when I was stationed at Fort Bliss for 3 years. I was just medically retired out of the Army last December and am also starting a new homestead with my family here in South Carolina (I retired out of Fort Jackson and stayed in the area).

    Hopefully you will find some help around here as you start your adventure. This is a great place full of good people and great information.
  • Welcome to the group! I grew up in south Texas a long time ago.

    One thing to keep in mind when you get your goats is that they will be terrified of your dogs, and your dogs may think the goats are their new toys. That's going to be quite a challenge training 8 dogs to be goat-friendly.

  • Hi, and welcome! It looks like you have some great plans, it's wonderful to have 25 acres. This forum is full of great information, especially if you want to raise your goats in the most natural way possible. Nice to meet you!

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