I wanted to take a look at the top ten most-read blog posts because it’s the beginning of the year and I thought it would be worthwhile to go back and take a look at your favorite posts from my blog for last year.
I wanted to get a better idea of what YOU, the reader, are interested in, and give me a better direction for the coming year. Last year, the most popular posts were an interesting mix of topics, so I thought I would share the top ten most-read blog posts with you, in case you missed any along the way!
Let’s start from the bottom …at number ten…
10. The Intricacies of Keeping Goats & Chickens in the Same Yard
I seldom invite others to write for Better Hens and Gardens, but occasionally I do – this post by Liz Greene has done brilliantly.
9. Coccidiosis In Goats
This is an older post (2016 vintage) that has slowly worked its way to the top ten. It describes what coccidiosis in goats is, how serious a condition it can be, and ways to treat it. 
8. What Causes Double-Yolk Eggs?
Another favorite on why chickens produce double-yolk eggs. We typically raise a few day-old chicks each year and as they reach laying age, they often produce double-yolk eggs. It’s the same for those raising chickens everywhere, so this post is perennially popular and maintains its 8th place position from last year.
7. Garden Greens for Goats & Chickens
This list identifies common garden plants that are safe for goats or chickens, those that are safe if used with caution, and those plants that should not be fed to them. It’s a relatively new post that rose to the top ten quickly.
6. Goat Starter List
This is a list that has evolved over time as we have learned more about caring for goats and readers have made suggestions. It remains a favorite but yet again, you have made some terrific suggestions on how to improve it. Although it needs updating again based on your suggestions, it comes in at number 6.
5. Annual CDT Vaccination for Goats
It’s important for goats to get at least this one vaccination each year and this post describes why and how to do it. It has been popular since it was first published and has moved up one to number 5 in the list.
4. Fresh Eggs – Washed or Unwashed?
This is an older post that finally worked its way to the top ten. It seeks to answer the question of whether washed or unwashed eggs are a better choice for you. You can also read what the USDA thinks here.
3. Feeding Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats
This post remains in the top ten and is on the somewhat confusing topic of what to feed goats or Nigerian Dwarf goats.
2. Wethering (neutering) Goats via Banding
Male goats can be rather smelly creatures with some habits that humans find atrocious, so many male goats are wethered (neutered). Wethered male goats make great pets because they have none of the hormonal issues of their male and female counterparts. This perennially popular post remains in the top ten and describes the wethering process we use (and how surprisingly simple and relatively pain-free it is for the goats).
1. Goats – How Much Cold Can They Take?
And finally in the number 1 spot, just how much cold can goats of different ages withstand? This was written because we were asked the question so often about the adorable goat kids that arrive on our farm each spring!
I hope you enjoy some of these blog posts and if you have suggestions for future posts, let me know! YOU the reader often have much better ideas.
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