We came to Hay Dairies Goat Farm after visiting Jurong Frog Fram, which was only about 1.8Km away (20 minutes' walk).
Hay Dairies is the only goat farm in Singapore since 1988 and breeds more than 800 goats of mixed breed with origin heritage from Minnesota, United States. The goats are farmed for their milk.
We arrived at the reception area where there was a sales counter selling bottled goat's milk and some snacks. Dried grass for feeding the goats were also available for $5 per packet.
We had missed the goat-milking session from 9am to 10:30am daily. Anyway, we went to the barns to "feed and pet" the goats. The first barn, or shed, was where the adult goats were kept.
I thought that goats with horns were male and those without were females but I was wrong. It seemed that both male and female goats could have horns and beards or goatees. Male goats would have thicker horns and beards. The way to easily differentiate them would be to check below their tails.
Most visitors would start feeding the animals the moment they entered the barn and by the time they reached the last of the enclosures at the other end, they would already run out of grass. That resulted in the goats nearer to the entrance being fed until they started to ignore the grass piling up in their trays and goats at the far end looking enviously at the visitors for food.
Next, we went to the second barn where the younger goats were housed. Similarly, goats at the furthest end were hungry for food.
The slit-shaped pupils of this goat could be observed very clearly — goats' rectangular pupils are readily noticeable than other herbivores. The wide pupils allowed goats to have broader line of sights to see approaching dangers and protect themselves.
This little goat demonstrated how intelligent it was by trying to unlatch the door. It could have succeeded if it was not because of an additional locking pin that was put in place to secure the latch. The goat knew the purpose of the locking pin as it tried to dislodge it by using its tongue but unsuccessful. Noticed that we were watching, it gave up.
Leaving the barns, we were back at the reception area to try the goat's milk. One 800ml bottle of goat's milk cost $8 and the smaller 200ml bottle cost $2.50. Without paper cups to share a large bottle, we had to purchase 5 small ones. And we all went for the original flavour unanimously.
I had tasted Hay Dairies's goat's milk before and noted that the taste was much closer to cow's milk now. Over the years, they had improved the process to eliminate the goaty taste.
Some points to add, goat's milk has higher nutritions and minerals than cow's milk. It has lesser lactose content, so people with mild lactose-intolerance may find it to be less disruptive to digestion.
After finishing the milk, we continued hopping to the next farm and lunch.
Address
3 Lim Chu Kang Lane 4 (map)
Opening Hours
9am - 4pm daily
Closed on Tuesdays
Website
How to Get There (if not driving)
Kranji Countryside Shuttle Service ($3/pax)
Take Bus 975 from Choa Chu Kang Bus Interchange and walk to the farm (recommended on weekends)