Brian Faro and his family right here in Englewood keep goats; in fact, they have an entire herd. Englewood REVIEW sat down with Brian to chat about their goat story. 

By the way, people like to call a group of goats a “herd,” but you might also hear “trip” or “tribe” tossed around. “Trip” shows up mostly because goats, well, bounce and “trip” around. “Tribe” feels fitting too, given how tight-knit goats can be.

Englewood REVIEW: We have to admit it, Brian, we’re smitten with your goats.

Brian: Thanks!

Englewood REVIEW: How did this all start? How long have you had goats, and what made you take the plunge?

Brian: My wife and I, well, we’ve got the land for it. She’s always been up for an adventure, and she zeroed in on Nigerian Dwarf goats. They’re smaller than standard goats but not tiny. She started hunting around for some, and my dad, who’s her partner-in-crime, found one online and set things in motion. He gave my mom the cash and told her, “Go get Rachel and go buy this goat.” They checked out this goat, fell in love, and decided to buy her. But the seller said, “Actually, you’re taking all three.” My mom hesitated, but the price lined up with what my dad had provided. So they didn’t argue, they loaded up all three and came home. This was about two years ago.

Then, about six months back, we went to a livestock auction in Arcadia. We tried to bid on one but ended up leaving before it came up. Turns out, our friend stuck around, snagged the goat we wanted (well past midnight!), and even outbid someone just by slipping them five extra dollars. He brought the goat home for us. That’s how we added another. That one was an intact male, unlike our fixed guy. My wife wanted to breed the goats so friends could get some Nigerian Dwarves. One friend took two of the babies, but the family got so attached to the last little one, May, that we kept her.

Englewood REVIEW: That’s a fabulous story.

Brian: It’s long-winded, but that’s how we ended up where we are.

Englewood REVIEW: So you have acreage. Let’s talk through the realities of having goats. What do people need to know if they want goats? Are there zoning restrictions or anything like that?

Brian: Yes, that matters. To keep this kind of livestock, you need OUE zoning, Open Use Estate. That’s our setup. If you’re in a residential estate, you might have horses but not goats. Our land is classed as one house every five acres, so if you have less, you can’t build anyway. We’re in Englewood Farm Acres with five and a half acres, so we’re all set for animals. People in regular single-family subdivisions generally can’t have much more than a backyard chicken coop, no roosters, no livestock. On our land, we can keep just about anything: cows, pigs, you name it.

Englewood REVIEW: But your heart is with the goats.

Brian: Absolutely. Goats do these wild sideways jumps that’ll crack you up. They’ll suddenly dart and kick their legs out for no reason—it’s pure comedy.

Englewood REVIEW: I bet your kids love this.

Brian: Oh, totally. The whole family loves them.

Englewood REVIEW: On the practical side, what do you feed them?

Brian: They get what’s called “sweet feed,” but only as a treat—morning and evening. When things get dry and the pasture’s not growing well, we supplement with hay. But the main thing is, they free-range. Out of our five and a half acres, about two and a half is pasture. The goats and our horse just graze all day, munching on grass and weeds. Separating the moms and babies is a must, as mother goats can be a little aggressive with babies that aren’t their own. It’s funny, though, they’re picky. If a weed’s growing, they mostly ignore it. If I pull it out and hand it to them, suddenly it’s their favorite snack, and they gobble it up like candy.

Englewood REVIEW: Presentation is everything, right?

Brian: For sure. They definitely want me to do all the hard work.

Englewood REVIEW: What else do goats need, besides food, shelter, and fencing?

Brian: A few things. We take care of their hooves. If you let them grow, they curl up and make it tough for the goats to walk. We use goat dewormer now and then, and we actually do their shots ourselves. At night, we bring everyone into the barn. Moms and babies are separated in stalls; guys stay together. Fencing is critical; our fences go up twelve feet to outsmart coyotes. Coyotes have gotten goats in our neighborhood before. Down the line, we might get a donkey for protection, as they’re known for being tough on predators. But you have to watch temperament; we’ve had one that just didn’t fit with our crew, so we re-homed him.

Englewood REVIEW: What’s the hardest part of having goats?

Brian: They’ll eat just about anything. In the pasture, fine. But if they get into your yard, say goodbye to your plants. We’ve lost leaves off the mango tree; they’ll annihilate your garden beds. And they’ll climb everything: tractors, equipment, you name it. I’ve had them kill a tractor battery by fiddling with the key. You have to control how much sweet feed they get, too, or they’ll get chubby fast. They can bully each other for feed, so you always have to keep an eye out. And if you want to travel? That’s tough. Boarding goats isn’t really a thing, so you need reliable friends or neighbors willing to do animal swaps.

Englewood REVIEW: That community support really matters. Now, what’s the best part about goats?

Brian: They’re just plain fun. They’re friendly, they love attention, and it’s relaxing to just sit outside with them. They’re part of the family, honestly. Plus, they keep weeds and grass in check.

Englewood REVIEW: Sweet little weed-eaters with personality.

Brian: Exactly. 

Englewood REVIEW: Anything else you want to share with readers?

Brian: Not everyone can keep goats, and I didn’t expect we’d ever have a shot. It meant changing our priorities, letting go of things like a pool, and stretching our budget some, but it was worth it. Now, if I need to clear my head, I just go out with the goats, hop on the mower, listen to a podcast, or just enjoy the quiet. It’s the most peaceful part of my day.

Englewood REVIEW: Sounds perfect. It’s so important to unplug and take that time for yourself, especially for someone like you who is always on the go.

Brian: Thanks, that means a lot. I’m always juggling tasks, but time outside with the goats resets everything. We’re lucky. If you can get land and you’re passionate about it, I say go for it. It gives the family so much space and time together, and it’s never boring.

Englewood REVIEW: And goats will clear a lot of brush in a blink.

Brian: For sure. Just don’t let them get addicted to sweet feed, or they’ll ignore the pasture. We learned that lesson. Once we cut back, they got back to grazing.

Englewood REVIEW: Like little kids hooked on McDonald’s.

Brian: Exactly! They love their treats. 

Tips for Raising Goats in Florida

Raising goats in Florida brings its own set of challenges, mainly the relentless heat, humidity, and constant battle with parasites. But with a few smart strategies, you can keep goats healthy and thriving here.

Start with the right breeds. 

Kiko and Spanish goats handle parasites much better than most, which is a big help in Florida’s climate. Stick to strict rotational grazing; move your goats to new paddocks every couple of weeks, and don’t cram over five goats per acre. Breaking up the parasite lifecycle is crucial. Let your goats browse on brush and shrubs at eye-level, instead of forcing them to graze close to the ground where worms concentrate.

The Florida Heat

The heat in Florida’s not a joke, and goats do better in the cold than when they’re roasting. Make sure they have good shelter; those simple, three-sided sheds work if they’re dry, draft-free, and let the air circulate. A solid roof is a must to keep the summer downpours at bay. Shade matters. Water needs to be clean, cool, and always available. Sometimes a few fans in the shelter make all the difference during those brutal months.

Fencing

With fencing, goats will find a way out if you give them half a chance. Use high-tensile woven wire or 4-foot cattle panels; they’re strong enough. Skip the chicken wire; they’ll flatten it or jump on it and be off exploring before you know it. Also, install raised feeders. Goats don’t enjoy eating off the ground, and you’ll lose a lot of hay if you don’t keep it off the dirt.

Florida Soil

Florida’s soil isn’t rich in every mineral goats need, so make sure loose, goat-specific minerals are always there for them, especially with enough copper and zinc. A small dish of baking soda helps settle their rumens and prevents bloating. Only give grain to growing kids or to does that are pregnant or nursing and really need the extra calories.

Goats are true herd animals. 

They get lonely on their own and do best in pairs or small groups. If you’re just getting started, buy at least two or three. For dairy, Nubians and Nigerian Dwarfs adapt well in Florida. If you’re raising goats for meat, go with Boer, Kiko, or Spanish breeds, as they do great on pasture.

Keep these basics in mind, and you’ll set your herd (or trip, or tribe) up for a healthy, happy life in Florida.

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