A few questions about goats...

[henny1129]

Yes, dapple boers are becoming increasingly popular in the boer goat world. I believe it is now a recognized color for them as there are registered 100% ABGA dapples. If you want your jaw to drop, check out these guys: http://www.maxboergoats.com They have amazing stock. Talk about expensive though!

I think it is a recognizable color.......I think that the dapple babies are adorable, but when they get older I tend to think they look a bit odd. I'm a bit partial to the traditional colors.

 

[BabyandCotton]

I've done a bunch of math, and for the run-in, supplies, feed, and two mixed breed (based on our area prices) doelings, it is about $400! Right in my price range! Of course I'll plan to earn about $500 to cover any extras. I know of a person who gives hundreds of pallets away free soo. For supplies I have buckets,collars, and leads written down. What other supplies will I need? What brand of food should I get? I have written DuMOR goat feed down, but are there better brands? If so, what? Is urea a concern? Also, unrelated question, but do goats and sheep eat the same feed? If there is anything you need to add, feel free. Thanks for everything!!
-Liv

ETA: Spelling and forgot some info XD

 

[BabyandCotton]

How big should I build the run-in?
-Liv

 

[waddles99]

I think it is a recognizable color.......I think that the dapple babies are adorable, but when they get older I tend to think they look a bit odd. I'm a bit partial to the traditional colors.

Odd? What do you mean? A good fullblood dapple will look no different than a good fullblood traditional or red. Some people cross nubians into their boers to add dapples and end up with % boers, so that might be why you think they look odd. But if it is a true dapple boer, it "should" look no different than a true traditional.



See what I mean? This guy is a beast. He's nice and wide and thick, with a nice topline. Wish he was longer though...

 

[waddles99]

How big should I build the run-in?
-Liv

Do you plan to keep the kids? If so, I generally would say 15 sq ft per goat.

 

[henny1129]

Odd? What do you mean? A good fullblood dapple will look no different than a good fullblood traditional or red. Some people cross nubians into their boers to add dapples and end up with % boers, so that might be why you think they look odd. But if it is a true dapple boer, it "should" look no different than a true traditional. See what I mean? This guy is a beast. He's nice and wide and thick, with a nice topline. Wish he was longer though...

Oh, sorry, should have worded it differently. It's nothing about the structure, just the coloring, I'm not really sure why I don't like it, I just don't. :/ That buck is nice looking structure wise though, I agree, longer back would be nice.

 

[henny1129]

I've done a bunch of math, and for the run-in, supplies, feed, and two mixed breed (based on our area prices) doelings, it is about $400! Right in my price range! Of course I'll plan to earn about $500 to cover any extras. I know of a person who gives hundreds of pallets away free soo. For supplies I have buckets,collars, and leads written down. What other supplies will I need? What brand of food should I get? I have written DuMOR goat feed down, but are there better brands? If so, what? Is urea a concern? Also, unrelated question, but do goats and sheep eat the same feed? If there is anything you need to add, feel free. Thanks for everything!!
-Liv

ETA: Spelling and forgot some info XD

Nice! Buckets, collars, leads, should be about good. A brush could be helpful, these don't cost much though so don't worry. I honestly don't know much about goat feed, mine are currently on a show feed, probably not the best for your goats, especially since they will be Nigerians. Hopefully someone else knows more about feed.......the only help I can give you feed related is that whatever brand you get, you might want to consider getting the special kid feed since your goats will be doelings. I don't believe this costs more than the adult feed. You might also consider talking to the breeder (or whomever) you buy them from about what they are currently feeding the goats. I know nothing about sheep, so I probably can't be much help. Lol! Hope this info helps you!

 

[waddles99]

Oh, sorry, should have worded it differently.

It's nothing about the structure, just the coloring, I'm not really sure why I don't like it, I just don't.

That buck is nice looking structure wise though, I agree, longer back would be nice.

I suppose it does look kinda unusual. When I was first shopping for my boer wether I wanted nothing to do with dapples or spots. I wanted a traditional, nothing else. Now that i have my traditional I am admiring the boers with a bit more color. I want so much to have a dapple herd sire and throw some kids with color.

Sorry for hijacking your thread, Liv.

Brand of food is up to you. I use Purina and love it. There are many different rations of feed for milking goats, meat goats, show goats. If you have milking goats I would have your goats on Purina Goat Chow or something when they are dry and then switch to a milking ration when they freshen. Then once the kids are weaned put them on goat chow. Urea is not a concern if your goats are wethered at a proper age that lets their testicles develop. If you are concerned ACV in the water can help. Goats and sheep don't eat the same feed, goats can eat sheep feed but sheep can't eat goat feed. The reason why is goats can eat copper and sheep can't.

Give free choice minerals and baking soda to keep them from getting nutritionally deficient and to keep their rumen in order.

 

[henny1129]

I suppose it does look kinda unusual. When I was first shopping for my boer wether I wanted nothing to do with dapples or spots. I wanted a traditional, nothing else. Now that i have my traditional I am admiring the boers with a bit more color. I want so much to have a dapple herd sire and throw some kids with color. 

Sorry for hijacking your thread, Liv. 

Brand of food is up to you. I use Purina and love it. There are many different rations of feed for milking goats, meat goats, show goats. If you have milking goats I would have your goats on Purina Goat Chow or something when they are dry and then switch to a milking ration when they freshen. Then once the kids are weaned put them on goat chow. Urea is not a concern if your goats are wethered at a proper age that lets their testicles develop. If you are concerned ACV in the water can help. Goats and sheep don't eat the same feed, goats can eat sheep feed but sheep can't eat goat feed. The reason why is goats can eat copper and sheep can't. 

Give free choice minerals and baking soda to keep them from getting nutritionally deficient and to keep their rumen in order. 

Yeah, maybe I'll like the dapples eventually.

Hehe. We did hijack the thread. I'll try not to again.

 

[BabyandCotton]

Yeah, maybe I'll like the dapples eventually.

Hehe. We did hijack the thread. I'll try not to again.

It's fine! I enjoyed learning about that. Thank you for all the information you've provided!!!
-Liv