Real answers from a real Michigan homestead. If you don't see your question here, email us anytime at thechattygoat@gmail.com — we read every message.

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About Our Products

Is your goat milk soap safe for babies and children?

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Yes. We originally started making these soaps because two of our three children have sensitive skin and we couldn't find a commercial product we trusted. Our bars are gentle enough for babies — in fact, the unscented Rose Clay bar and the Oat + Honey bar are our most-recommended for little ones and people prone to eczema. As with any new skincare product, we recommend a small patch test first if you have known allergies.

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Are your soaps safe for sensitive skin and eczema-prone skin?

Yes. Goat milk is naturally rich in fatty acids and gentle on irritated skin, and our grass-fed tallow adds vitamins A, D, E, and K. We use no synthetic fragrance, no phthalates, no parabens, and no sulfates. For very reactive skin, start with the Unscented Body Bar (with Rose Clay) — no essential oils, no added scent.

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What's in your soap, exactly?

Every bar is built on the same base: hand-milked goat milk from our Nigerian Dwarf and Nubian herd, grass-fed tallow from our Shetland sheep, and pastured lard from livestock we know personally (ours, or from Hidden Creek Farm, Polyface Farm, or Reverence Farms). We add olive oil, and sodium hydroxide (lye — required to turn oils into soap; none remains in the finished bar). Scented bars include essential oils or natural fragrance. Each product page lists the full ingredient deck.

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Do your soaps contain any nuts?

The Oat + Honey bar includes almond and vanilla fragrance notes. If you have a tree nut allergy, please check the individual product page or email us before ordering — we're happy to walk you through any bar's ingredient list.

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How long does one bar of soap last?

In typical daily use for one person, a 4-oz bar lasts roughly 4 to 6 weeks. To make it last longer, keep it on a draining soap dish so it dries fully between uses. A bar sitting in standing water dissolves a lot faster.

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What's the difference between goat milk soap and regular soap?

Goat milk contains naturally occurring fatty acids and lactic acid that gently nourish and lightly exfoliate the skin. The milk itself replaces the water that would normally be in soap, which produces a much creamier, more skin-conditioning bar. People with dry or sensitive skin often find goat milk soap noticeably gentler than commercial soaps that rely on detergents and harsh surfactants.

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Why do you use tallow and lard? Isn't that unusual for soap?

It's actually traditional — animal fats are how soap has been made for thousands of years. Grass-fed tallow is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, mimics the fat profile of human skin closely, and absorbs beautifully. We use every part of the animals we raise, which means nothing is wasted and the resulting bar is gentle, deeply nourishing, and long-lasting in ways that vegetable-oil-only soaps often aren't. We also offer products with bear tallow — a traditional ingredient with deep roots in regional homesteading.

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About Our Farm

Where are you located?

We're a small family homestead in Manchester, Michigan (Washtenaw County), in Southern Michigan.

Are you a licensed business?

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Yes. The Chatty Goat LLC is a registered Michigan business. Our soaps and lotions are produced in compliance with Michigan cosmetic regulations.

Do you really hand-milk your goats?

Every morning. Our herd is Nigerian Dwarf and Nubian dairy goats, and we milk by hand. It's slower than machine milking, but it lets us pay close attention to each doe's health and produces the kind of fresh, high-quality milk we want in our products.

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Is your farm open to visitors?

Not currently — we're a working homestead with young children and lots of animals. We share the daily reality through our blog, Nana's Notes, and on Instagram and Facebook (@thechattygoat).

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Shipping & Orders

Where do you ship?

We ship throughout the United States. Shipping is calculated at checkout based on your location and order weight.

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How quickly do orders ship?

Most orders ship within 3 to 5 business days. We're a small family operation, so during kidding season, holidays, or major restocks there may be slight delays — we'll always communicate if your order needs extra time.

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Do you offer wholesale or bulk pricing?

We're a small batch operation, but we love working with shops and businesses whose values align with ours. Email thechattygoat@gmail.com to discuss wholesale availability.

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What if I'm not happy with my order?

Reach out. We're a real family with a real email address — write us at thechattygoat@gmail.com and we'll make it right.

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About Morgan's Book

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Tell me about "Homesteading with Dairy Goats."

Morgan's book is an honest, practical guide to managing a healthy, resilient dairy goat herd — written from years of hands-on experience and meant for people who want the truth, not the Instagram version. It includes a powerful foreword by Joel Salatin (Polyface Farms). You can find it on our My Book page or order directly from Sawdust Publishing.

Is the book a good fit for beginners?

Yes — and it's also valuable for experienced keepers. Morgan wrote it specifically because she was tired of guides that made goat keeping sound easy. The book gives readers the real picture: the highs, the lows, and the practical knowledge to actually succeed.

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Still have questions?

Email us anytime at thechattygoat@gmail.com.

We're a real family running a real homestead, and we'd love to hear from you.