Oh yes - you must get goatS! They are very, very social and NEED the company of another goat. You can get one milk goat and a wether as a companion for her if you don't want two milkers. Don't get a buck.
Chicken feed is not toxic to goats. The problem is that goats love it (it's like chocolate to them
) and will eat too much, too fast and bloat. Bloat will kill your goat. It can be very difficult to keep the little buggers from chicken feed which is why most people don't keep their goats with their chickens. I do have my Nigi's sharing a run with my chickens - they have their own separate nighttime housing though and we made 100% sure that the goats cannot get to the chicken feed. (Boy, was that a challenge.
) My Nigis and chickens free range most of every day anyway so they are all over the place together.
Nubians and Nigis give the highest butterfat content and that makes great soaps (so I've been told - I haven't done it yet). If you chose to get Nigis as milkers you want to make sure they come from a very good milk line as it's hard enough to milk those little teats if you don't have good orifices and udders and teats.
Goats need great fencing. If it can't hold water.. it can't hold a goat!
Ok, that's not completely true but boy, it can be close. Goats are great at getting through, over or under fences.
Horns - that is a completely personal decision. You need to research and decide if you want horns on your goats - there's strong feelings on both sides of that issue. I personally won't have a goat with horns as I've seen too many people (including children) hurt by a goat who just happened to turn at the wrong time and nail the person in the face or such. The goat wasn't being mean or anything - it just happens. Also, horns can get caught in fences and other things.
Best wishes as you make your decision.
