is goat meat "happy meat"?

[wholewheatchick]

I have just started eating meat again, and am only ever going to eat meat from local, sustainable ranchers who raise animals ethically...hence my term "happy meat." So this pretty much means no meat when we go out, which I am totally fine with. But I was wondering: at Indian or Lebanese or Afghan restaurants, they might serve goat meat, and is goat meat generally "happy meat?" I know it wouldn't necessarily be local, but am wondering if it fits the other criteria to be happy?

[Gingercat]

Originally Posted by wholewheatchick

I have just started eating meat again, and am only ever going to eat meat from local, sustainable ranchers who raise animals ethically...hence my term "happy meat." So this pretty much means no meat when we go out, which I am totally fine with. But I was wondering: at Indian or Lebanese or Afghan restaurants, they might serve goat meat, and is goat meat generally "happy meat?" I know it wouldn't necessarily be local, but am wondering if it fits the other criteria to be happy?

Wholewheatchick I'm just like you! After being a vegetarian for a very long time I've started eating meat again a couple of years' back, but only if it is organic and/or grass fed. Therefore I always choose the vegetarian option when I'm eating out, but on occasion I do eat goat meat. This is because I have read that goat is an animal that cannot be factory farmed, it is a natural grazer. At least this is pretty much the situation here in Greece where I live, goats are grazing freely up in the mountains or down in the green valleys. So make sure you ask where the goat meat at the restaurants you dine in is from, but I'd say that most likely is not factory-farmed.

[deditus]

I would guess it depends on your area. Around here, goat and lamb is often raised happily.

[ursusarctos]

At least lamb is impossible to factory farm, I would assume goat would be similar.

[provocativa]

yes, factory farming of goats is virtually unheard of.

[Straggletag]

When it comes to goats, I'd be at least as concerned with the quality of their grazing grounds as to how they were farmed. I routinely see goats staked out to graze filthy road medians in our very urban area. That's beyond non-organic! They'll gladly eat scraps of happy meals, and the containers they came in.

[Gingercat]

Originally Posted by Straggletag

When it comes to goats, I'd be at least as concerned with the quality of their grazing grounds as to how they were farmed. I routinely see goats staked out to graze filthy road medians in our very urban area. That's beyond non-organic! They'll gladly eat scraps of happy meals, and the containers they came in.

You are definitely right about this one; I've seen goats grazing even in trashfields! So when I'm buying goat meat to cook at home I'd always choose the organic one.

[guest9955]

NAK

goat/sheep farmer here
our animals are very very happy, and i think that is often the case.

i have been to goat/sheep factory farms with sick, over crowded very unhappy goats and sheep.

its common practice to feed them on machines and grain not grass/hay, indoors....

so to answer your question- no, not all goat is happy meat.