Broken A Ranch

10/12/2026

Our new buck has A LOT to say this rut season! Somebody tell this boy he doesn’t have to announce himself! 😂

Welcome to Broken A Ranch!

10/08/2026

Time for another Random Goat Fact with Broken A Ranch!

Did you know?

A goat doesn’t digest tough plant fiber all by itself, billions of microorganisms in its rumen help do the work!

The rumen acts like a large fermentation chamber. Bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and other microbes break down fibrous plant material that the goat otherwise couldn’t efficiently digest.

During fermentation, these microbes produce volatile fatty acids, which are absorbed through the rumen wall and provide a major source of energy for the goat.

GOAT TIP:
Keeping the rumen microbial population healthy is one reason diet changes should be made gradually. Sudden changes especially introducing large amounts of grain too quickly, can disrupt normal rumen fermentation and contribute to digestive problems.

Pretty amazing, isn’t it? A healthy goat is basically carrying around its own tiny fermentation ecosystem!

10/07/2026

Time for another Random Goat Fact with Broken A Ranch

Did you know goats have scent glands near their horns?

Goats have specialized scent glands located behind the base of their horns. These glands produce secretions that contribute to their individual scent and play a role in communication with other goats.

They’re especially noticeable in bucks during breeding season, when hormones kick into high gear and that unmistakable “buck smell” becomes MUCH stronger.

And yes, the scent glands are only part of the reason a buck in rut can smell like he could clear an entire room.

Goats rely heavily on scent to gather information about each other, including reproductive status and individual identity.

Random Goat Fact:
There is a lot more communication happening in a goat pen than we can hear.

Have you ever smelled a buck in full rut?

If you have, you probably didn’t need to get very close.

10/06/2026

Time for another Random Goat Fact with Broken A Ranch

Did you know goats have FOUR stomach compartments?

Well, sort of.

Goats are ruminants, and their digestive system contains four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum.

The rumen is basically a giant fermentation vat filled with microorganisms that help break down fibrous plants.

The reticulum helps sort feed and plays a role in forming the cud that comes back up to be chewed again.

The omasum absorbs water and nutrients.

And the abomasum is considered the “true stomach” because it uses acid and digestive enzymes much like our stomach does.

It’s an incredibly efficient system that allows goats to turn grasses, leaves, weeds, hay, and browse into nutrients.

Which also explains why keeping a goat’s rumen healthy is such a HUGE part of keeping the entire goat healthy.

Random Goat Fact:
Four compartments. One goat. An impressive amount of digestive engineering.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever caught your goat trying to eat?

10/06/2026

I asked ChatGPT to create a realistic photo of me in a situation that would make everyone who knows me say, “Of course this is where she ended up.”

Apparently the answer is: in a barn, holding a baby goat, surrounded by chaos, with a clipboard nearby because obviously I’m still trying to organize everything. 😂

Honestly… it nailed it.

Prompt is in the comments. Share your results in my comments section! I’d love to see what my friends get. ❤️

10/04/2026

Spent part of today doing something a little slower and a lot more satisfying, spinning yarn.

There’s just something special about taking raw fiber and watching it turn into actual yarn right in your hands. Mine may not be perfectly even yet, but that’s part of the charm. Every thick spot, thin spot, and little imperfection makes it completely one of a kind.

Homesteading has a funny way of turning “I want to learn how to do that” into another full-blown hobby. 😂 At this rate, Broken A Ranch is going to have me raising the animals, spinning the fiber, and making the sweater from scratch.

Today’s lesson: slow down, trust the process, and “just keep spinning”!

10/03/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/19bwL34wQZ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/23/2026

“If it won’t hold water, it won’t hold a goat.” 😂🙄

I have officially entered the Fort Knox phase of goat ownership.

Charles, my 16-year-old and I have been adding pipe to the TOP AND BOTTOM of the fence.
Reinforcing the wire.
Checking every gap.

Basically, if a mosquito can squeeze through it, I’m assuming a goat is already drawing up blueprints.

At this point, I’m not building a fence. I’m constructing a maximum-security correctional facility for tiny horned criminals with zero respect for property lines. 🤣

And somewhere, one of the goats is watching us work like:

“That’s cute. See you on the other side tomorrow.”

Broken A Ranch: If it’s not broken, it’s not ours… and if it IS broken, the goats probably did it.

09/05/2026

09/05/2026

Rick is currently asleep after working night shift at the hospital and has absolutely no idea there is a pig living in an aquarium in our house.

Mama had this little one yesterday and has decided that motherhood is simply not for her. No interest. None. Apparently she has other plans.

So naturally, the rejected baby pig somehow ended up with me. And since I have goat milk, an aquarium, blankets, and a complete inability to mind my own business when an animal needs help… here we are.

Now I’m bottle-feeding a day-old piglet in the house while Rick peacefully sleeps.

Broken A Ranch: If it’s not broken, it’s not ours.

And apparently if its mama doesn’t want it… it lives in the house.