Pets. We got into them about 8 years ago. We decided that we were going to get the woods cleaned up around our place. My grandfather used to have cows, pigs, chickens, and what ever else. These woods around here were like a park. Then about 30 years went by with no livestock and you couldn't see 10 foot in the woods. Everything you can think of was growing thick. You talk about something doing a good job - that's my goats.
Old folks used to say, "A goat ain't nuthin but something looking for a place to die". Believe it or not, they are a high maintenance animal. My biggest problem to begin with was I was getting goats from everywhere to build my herd. That brought all sorts of diseases, sicknesses, parasites, ect. You talk about someone doing some crunch time studying up - that was me. Now folks come get me when their goats are sick.
This herd I have now is pretty good. I keep a closed herd. Most of them have twins, all are fantastic mothers, and they just don't really get sick that much. I provide some loose minerals for them. The amount of copper it takes to keep a goat healthy (parasite load wise) would kill a sheep. If you were to keep them for a while you would probably keep them the rest of your life. If every thing goes well.