tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post1490557092534068255..comments2024-03-28T14:37:45.575-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: The Scoop on Our Getting GoatsLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-52446158346103007522010-05-08T22:45:24.925-04:002010-05-08T22:45:24.925-04:00Sue, yes, brush clearing is the first order of bus...Sue, yes, brush clearing is the first order of business. That and manure for the compost. I'm not sure I'd want to take responsibility for someone else's goats at this point. I can't say I've ever seen goats or donkeys for rent, actually. Much depends on what's on offer and what price we're willing to pay. Goats seem to have gotten more expensive just over the past several months. I'd like at least one dairy doe to breed in the fall. Possibly two or three does of a meat breed, or wethers if possible, which could be butchered in the fall. The does could be bred so we can raise our own meat. That's important to DH. He's the main meat eater in the family.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-49560474235997418052010-05-08T16:47:50.488-04:002010-05-08T16:47:50.488-04:00No goat advice, but some organizational. Looks li...No goat advice, but some organizational. Looks like you want, on the one hand, something to clean the field, and, on the other, something that will allow for meat and/or milk or both. Suggestions for the first: rent one or more browse goats, donkeys, or whatever; or rent/loan out the field to a local who needs free browse for his goat(s); or buy one or two meat goats to first browse and then turn into meat. Suggestion for the second: this is easy, buy the milk goats you want, or a combo of meat/milk. So the advice is in two steps: first, clear the field, then focus on the end result wanted. --Sue in MAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-23019827025679336422010-05-06T22:01:01.372-04:002010-05-06T22:01:01.372-04:00Robin, goats definitely have minds of their own. ...Robin, goats definitely have minds of their own. I think that's what makes them so endearing however. Of course, they do give some owners a run for their money. :)<br /><br />Nina, another good point about "pet quality." It seems it depends upon the source, but still, I won't discredit that altogether. Pygoras would be nice, but I do want that milk. I can't drink milk either, but we do eat a lot of yogurt and cheese. <br /><br />Renee, the hard lessons of not doing one's homework! Of course, I do have some experience, not only with my Toggenburgs, but I used to baby sit a friend's Nubians when they would go out of town. The girls all behave, but the boys! Oh my. <br /><br />Bettina, I didn't realize donkeys could eat brush. I figured they were grazing animals. We don't know anyone who has one we could borrow however. I do see them for sale on occasion, but they are pretty expensive around here. <br /><br />Callie, we do have Alpines locally on occasion. Nubians too, but as you say, they are noisy and emotional. Hopefully we've got our fence secure, though I've heard stories about the goats that could never be kept in! My neighbor has already volunteered to help chase them down in that event. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-22633491423755245352010-05-06T11:26:19.862-04:002010-05-06T11:26:19.862-04:00We had an alpine dairy herd that my daughter showe...We had an alpine dairy herd that my daughter showed in 4H shows. Loved the alpines! They were like big dogs. The buck kids were sold for meat or wethered (castrated) and sold for pets or companions to horses (or other farm animals) or left with their horns and sold to clear fields. They need their horns out in a field to fight off dogs, predators... otherwise they are helpless if attacked.<br /><br />We had other breeds of goats, but the only one I couldn't stand were the Nubians because of how noisy they were. Very noisy! Couldn't stand the "yelling." Maybe you could find a quiet one.<br /><br />You might check with your local animal shelters, 4H Extension office, feed stores, or veterinarians. Sometimes they know of goats that need rehoming.<br /><br />Oh, yes... I should mention you need excellent fencing. Goats are like monkeys and can jump and climb where you wouldn't believe.<br /><br />You could find out from the 4H extension office if there are any goat shows you could go to and meet and greet goats and owners. Fun!<br /><br />Good luck!Callie Bradyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16379683295150396693noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-48102885967014462982010-05-06T11:18:09.313-04:002010-05-06T11:18:09.313-04:00no goat advice, sorry - but if you're not quit...no goat advice, sorry - but if you're not quite sure yet and not ready to do the milking etc. - are there no donkeys in your area that you might "loan" to clear your scrub area? people around here usually do this to clear fields - and even though you won't get much in return (apart from dung:)) at least you'd end up with cleaner fields?Woolly Bitshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11961632742998726155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-58659822577591371602010-05-06T10:07:10.037-04:002010-05-06T10:07:10.037-04:00I don't know much about goats either. A frien...I don't know much about goats either. A friend of mine got some goats with the intent of having dairy but she didn't do her homework. In the end she found that she really didn't have the time for them and traded them for donkeys. We were kinda bummed as we were looking forward to fresh goat cheese. oh well.Renee Nefehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08167893445846427824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-8807287393591094682010-05-06T09:11:21.951-04:002010-05-06T09:11:21.951-04:00We had a pygmy goat who I swear could fly! That l...We had a pygmy goat who I swear could fly! That little girl bounced around the barn like she had wings! Our dairy goats were fun, but just pets. I think now if I had the space to get goats, I'd look at pygora goats with A type coats. They'd eat the brambles and give fibre. No milk though but then I can't drink milk anyway. :)<br />Pet quality can also just mean that confirmation wise, they aren't suitable for showing. Also, as with sheep, it costs $ to register animals, so if they aren't using them for breeding, they are "pet" quality. Might be nothing wrong with them at all.Ninahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07049476969325691637noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-66164236012690088262010-05-05T23:50:44.988-04:002010-05-05T23:50:44.988-04:00Well, I don't know very much about goats but I...Well, I don't know very much about goats but I am excited for you! I always look at my sister-on-laws goats when we are out at her place. They are pretty but a handful. She loves her milking goats.Robinhttp://farmfolly.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-80763124394759270282010-05-05T22:02:09.946-04:002010-05-05T22:02:09.946-04:00Michelle, I tend to agree with you. I'm not su...Michelle, I tend to agree with you. I'm not sure why DH is interested in meat goats, except that he's a real meat eater.<br /><br />Deep End, I can't believe we've finally gotten to this point! Some days it seemed like we never would, and you're right, it is exciting.<br /><br />Benita, I'm curious about what's locally available, but also what questions to ask potential sellers. This is a new experience for me.<br /><br />Laura, I didn't know that about Boers. Good point about breeding dairy does to meat bucks. That's a good possibility.<br /><br />Maggie, I hadn't thought about that in regards to "pet quality." Some of these aren't from breeders, just individuals. But that's a good point and something more to consider. <br /><br />I haven't contacted anyone here who has goats. I'm just finding out who those folks are actually. Not sure if they are organized in any way, even unofficially. They would be my best resource though. <br /><br />Sharon, funny how those childhood experiences make a difference in our adult lives. At least you had the experience! All we had were cats, dogs, and parakeets.Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-5412690477067424772010-05-05T21:40:03.652-04:002010-05-05T21:40:03.652-04:00My parents always had Nubians because they wanted ...My parents always had Nubians because they wanted milk. They were social and affectionate and I loved them. However, it's left me with the inability to eat goat to this day. I don't feel that way about eating lamb, but my 4H lambs were just plain dumb. I should have raised sheep in 4H, looking back.Sharonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06432035940956042729noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-81228330023784877782010-05-05T20:21:24.682-04:002010-05-05T20:21:24.682-04:00"Pet quality" also often translates to &..."Pet quality" also often translates to "not up to snuff." I see it used in reference to not being a breeder. Say, a poor bag or something along those lines.<br /><br />Have you hooked up with the goat people in your area? I find that they are a wealth of information, and often can tell you exactly where to find what you are looking for. How exciting! I can't wait to see what you bring home. :Dmaggiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409400959408658124noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-559170239637018352010-05-05T18:34:32.360-04:002010-05-05T18:34:32.360-04:00Boer goats also give cashmere... If I were getting...Boer goats also give cashmere... If I were getting brush clearers, and they weren't currently milking, there wouldn't be much problem with udders, I don't think, so I'd go with Nubians or Saanens and breed the doe(s) to a Boer/Kiko buck for meat kids. That way, you have the best of both worlds. If you got young does, to be bred in the fall, the udder consideration wouldn't be a problem at all, since they wouldn't have one yet!<br /><br />Good luck - I'd like to have goats, but my fencing is so substandard that I can't keep them in (I tried). I would love to make cheese, but will have to buy my goat milk for now!Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08421589409738817614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-240198045969507432010-05-05T14:55:26.209-04:002010-05-05T14:55:26.209-04:00I like the fact that you are doing your homework, ...I like the fact that you are doing your homework, asking those who know and thinking this over before buying. You're more apt to be happy with the results.<br /><br />Good luck!Benitahttp://www.basicallybenita.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-28674421143362407802010-05-05T14:42:41.476-04:002010-05-05T14:42:41.476-04:00How totally cool, I've never been up close and...How totally cool, I've never been up close and personally near goats only at petting zoos, etc.. that's sounds like your really trotting along with your plans. Can't wait to see what you get, it must be so exciting.DEEP END OF THE LOOMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01010018190905285835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-87637733803766066452010-05-05T14:02:10.624-04:002010-05-05T14:02:10.624-04:00I've had Saanens (as pets, not milkers) and a ...I've had Saanens (as pets, not milkers) and a pygmy. Much prefer the dairy goats. Intrigued by the Nigerian Dwarf breed; seems to combine the best of both the breeds I had. Of course the extra bucks of any breed can be butchered, so I don't see a real advantage to a "meat only" breed.Michellehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01550786937196525098noreply@blogger.com