Angora goats

[Agdketo]

I found some angora rams for 75 a head. They seem like they are a relatively hardy species. I know you have to shear them twice a year, but that's not too bad. I'm assuming they have a diet similar to other goats? I just want something that will eat down the weeds out in the pasture. Is it a good price? I was thinking about offering the guy $100.00 for two rams. I would have them out with some guinea hogs in the pasture. He had them advertised as Shetland sheep, but he was corrected by quite a few people. Here is a picture of them.

P.s. it's a 2 1/2 hour drive one way to get the goats. All help is appreciated!

 

[Stacykins]

Intact male goats are called "bucks". Neutered male goats are called wethers. Rams refer to sheep.

Anyway, their fiber quality doesn't look great. Could improve with some TLC, though quality does decrease with age. Are they registered?

Their diet is the same as other goats, yet. Hay and a goat mineral as a base, grain if you choose to feed it. They ARE a lot more susceptible to external parasites because of all that fiber. I check my angora goat regularly, pulling the locks apart so I can see down to her skin. I look for signs of mites and lice.

Goats are browsers, so they might help with weeds in your pasture. They like anything but grass, but will eat grass if nothing else is available. If you have any trees you are attached to in the pasture...I'd suggest protecting the trunks. They like to rip bark off trees and will rapidly girdle them.

Also, they're due for a shear, like, yesterday. Probably a good idea to shear them as soon as you can if you get them. Just make sure to provide them warm, dry, draft free shelter with fresh bedding afterward.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

If they are older and not already castrated, I would probably pass. Even if castrated, at this age goats can retain some bad habits. Also, shearing can be quite a bit of work (Especially if you are new to shearing).

If you are looking for an animal to keep your grass low with minimal damage, I recommend sheep. As the previous poster mentioned, goats love brush and trees.

If you do really want goats I recommend Nubian wethers. They are generally fairly cheap (Especially in the spring when people are culling out the boy babies), they are pretty large, and if you get them young enough they can be SUPER friendly. Most goat breeds are nice, but I love my Nubians the best.

 

[WallabyOfChaos]

The only thing I will say is that an unshorn Angora billy goat in the rut may be the most foul-smelling creature in existence. We were sitting at the sheep and goat sale at Junction, TX a few years ago when they brought two unshorn mature Angora billies through. They sent them straight through the ring and didn't even stop them inside to be sold. That was the rankest billy goat smell I have ever experienced. Just those two goats passing through the sale barn was enough that the auctioneer had to stop the sale and the doors had to be opened to let the place air out because it was making everyone sick. Even the guys working the ring were gagging from the smell.

Pet goats are great, but choose your breed wisely.