Shiloh Hill Farm

11/07/2025

🐐 GOATS.

They just die.
No warning, no explanation — just “boop, I’m out.”
They really take the “live” out of livestock. 😅

Too much alfalfa? ➡️ Bloat.
Too little alfalfa? ➡️ Malnourished.
Too much feed? ➡️ Urinary calculi.
Too little feed? ➡️ “How dare you starve me.”
Use the wrong wormer when they’re pregnant? ➡️ Abortions.
Use the “safe” wormer instead? ➡️ The worms throw a party because it doesn’t even phase them.

And fences? Oh please.
To a goat, a fence isn’t a boundary — it’s an IQ test.
And they always pass. 🤦‍♀️
Hot wire? They’ll test it.
Field fence? They’ll climb it.
Cattle panel? “Challenge accepted.”
If there’s a way out, they’ll find it — and if there’s not, they’ll make one.

Toys? Oh, you mean hazards.
“Let me just stick my leg in that bucket real quick.”
“Oh look, a hay feeder — perfect for getting my horn stuck right before feeding time.”
Water trough? Great place to stand in with my poop-covered hooves. 🙃

And then there’s the babies.
Might have one. Might have five.
But she’s only feeding two — and it’s never the ones you want her to.
Bottle babies? Congrats! You’ve just gained a screaming, milk-drunk toddler that will follow you everywhere and cry like it’s being murdered every time you walk by. 🍼

They’ll climb on your car, chew your hair, eat your feed scoop, and somehow escape the most secure pen known to mankind just to stand on your porch and yell at you through the window.

But then… they nuzzle your hand, wag their little tails, and look at you with those big square eyes — and somehow you forget everything they just did. 💕

Because goat people are just built different.
We love these tiny chaos machines, no matter how many times they make us question every life choice that led to owning them.

09/23/2025

Muscovy Ducks •
One of the oldest domesticated fowl species in the world, the Muscovy Duck was already being kept by native people in Peru and Paraguay when the early Spanish explorers arrived. The word “Muscovy” may refer to the Muscovy Company (incorporated in London in 1555), which transported these ducks to England and France.

While most duck breeds can trace their ancestry back to mallards, Muscovy ducks are unique because they are the only ducks in the APA Standard that do not originate from mallards. Despite being labeled as ducks, Muscovies possess several distinctive traits that set them apart. Their large bodies, flight capability, quiet vocalizations, caruncles on their faces, roosting habits, and non-greasy meat make them a practical and endearing waterfowl addition to any homestead.

The male Muscovy Duck is the largest duck in North America, but the female is only half his size. After laying 8–15 eggs, she does all of the nest defense and raises the ducklings (which have sharp claws and hooked bills to climb out of the nest).

One of the most distinguishing characteristics of the Muscovy is the caruncles on its face – a quick and easy identifier compared to other waterfowl. Muscovies come in various colors, including black, white, blue, chocolate, pied, green, lavender, bronze, barred, and rippled.
Known for their calm and friendly nature, Muscovy ducks make excellent pets. They exhibit quiet behavior, with distinctive vocalizations often described as similar to a goose’s hissing. Drakes have a low breathy call, while hens produce a high cooing sound. With long claws, a wide flat tail, and the ability to fly and roost in trees, they efficiently forage and contribute to pest control by consuming flies, ticks, mosquitoes, insects, and some rodents. Domesticated Muscovy ducks have long life spans, ranging from 8-12 years and potentially up to 20 years in captivity.

In conclusion, Muscovy ducks prove to be a stellar dual-purpose option for homesteaders, combining unique characteristics, versatile contributions, and a rich history that spans continents and centuries. Whether for companionship, high meat yield, or pest control, Muscovy ducks are valuable allies in the homesteading journey. If you’re seeking a hardy, friendly, dual-purpose duck, Muscovies are worth considering!

06/13/2025

We'll be there Tuesday. Come see us!

05/31/2025

We're here at Curtis Watkins Farms for their 2nd Annual Farm Day! We've got fresh eggs, sourdough bread, crocheted dish/washcloths, car diffusers, and goat milk soap. Come see us!

05/14/2025

Owning livestock is beautiful, but it’s also brutal.

People show the good parts. The chicks hatching. The newborns learning to stand. That first wobble. That first feed. And yes, it’s magical. It’s what keeps you going.

But what they don’t show is the grief.
The way you walk into the barn and something’s wrong.
The panic. The helplessness. The silence that follows.

We don’t just own animals, we love them.
Even when we have dozens, we know each one. Their quirks. Their sounds. Their routines.
We bottle feed them. We cheer for their first steps. We hope for them.

And when we lose one, it wrecks us.
No, it doesn’t get easier.
Not when you loved them like that.

You still cry in the stall.
You still carry the guilt.
You still bury them with your own two hands and whisper “I’m sorry” even if you did everything you could.

This life is raw.
It’s real.
It’s soul work.
And it hurts, because love always does.

04/22/2025

Can't wait!

🐐🐑 Calling All Sheep & Goat Producers! 🐑🐐

🛑Registration Closes Friday, April 25th!🛑

Join us for the Roane County Master Small Ruminant Program on May 2, 2025, from 8 AM - 5 PM at the Roane County Extension Office!

This one-day, hands-on training is perfect for both new and experienced producers looking to improve their operations. Learn from experts, connect with other producers, and take your small ruminant knowledge to the next level! 💡

🎓 $125 Certification Fee includes:
✅ Certification
✅ Educational materials
✅ Cap & Barn Sign
✅ Lunch

✨ Not interested in certification? No problem!
📚 $50 Non-Certification Option includes education, resources, calendar & lunch.

📌 Location:
Roane County Extension Office
3074 Roane State Hwy
Harriman, TN 37748

👉 Register now at: tiny.utk.edu/RoaneAG
Or pay by cash/check/card in the office.

💰 TAEP Eligible!
Earn your Master Producer Certificate to qualify for cost-share opportunities through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program!

📲 Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit the link above to sign up!

04/03/2025