I had been thinking about getting 2 dairy sheep,but changed my mind as they would require alot to feed over the winter...So I went with rabbits,i can save alot of feed for em from my own yard to feed em over the winter.
Are Sheep and Goats stinky?
- Thread starter mrbstephens
- Start date
You know when I got my goats people told me horror stories about goats jumping on their cars, ruining their boats, making a racket, wreaking havoc with the neighbors, but I did it anyway. I started with two, a doe and a small wether, nigerians. ONly once have my goats ever gotten loose and that was the second day and she was merely looking for me. I found the spot she had easily jumped on out (adjacent covered run) and built up a little wall and never again has any of them got out without us wanting to. As for crying, it was short lived, maybe a two week span of her being verbal calling us back out,..I would make sure I came down when she was not maahaaaa haaing and she got the point, you cry, it doesn't gain you much. I am actually surpised now when she makes a noise at all. Our little guy got very sick after his second month with us and passed on, it was devastating. So take note, check to see if you have a vet that knows goats, worth their weight in gold.
We had to get a second goat for a companion, we brought home a pygmy, who is just the sweetest thing, now she likes to whine, it's quite pathetic, but it's low and unless you are right there it isn't something you hear and again so low it's laughable not anything my neighbors would have issue with. She does it with her cycle, when she is in heat she whines.
Anyhow my goats lounge around on the grass when my husband is working on the yard, moonstruck by him. They don't cry and whine because they know where we are and know our schedule as to when we will be down there, more or less and they keep each other company along in the corral when my husband isn't home letting them prance around the rest of the yard.
It took me a year to get over the death of our wether and I have finally come around to wanting that milk again enough to deal with the potential loss of babies. So we brought home our buck. At first he made me nervous, he is formidable looking and he had the "I'm new here" attitude that they all get, but after three weeks I am feeling comfortable with him,..he has 2 week old chicks and mother hen bunking with him and even nosing into his feeder when he is eating and he doesn't bother them, which is funny because he is truly food obsessed still. Better still he is getting accustomed to our dog, I keep my eye on him and if he stamps, snorts or lowers his head I remind him and he stops the behavior. Of course you don't have to have a buck you can bring your gals on dates with others who have bucks or get some buck on ice. I got a buck because I have decided to go ahead and breed them as both the nigis are registered, and have not just milk but have it create a little revenue with registered babies to cover the costs of their care.
Our set up is simple. 8x8 chicken coup with covered run connected to the goat barn which is 8x10, the corral is adjacent to the covered run and I would say it looks about 30 by maybe 40 feet in size, the fence height is 5 feet it's wire with posts. Future plans for buck pen and house in around four months but I wouldn't need that if I just had does. They are happy out there, they have a little jump up with a slide and a huge tree to rub their backs and snuggle up to and a small tree to rub their heads on, shade and sun. No escape attempts, I suppose that could change when i move the bucks to a new pen separated out from the does, will deal with that if it presents itself. During the day I keep the covered run open so the ducks and chicks free range so the door between the goat house and coop stays shut, of course the hens pop in and out of the corral all day.
One of my goats has not much use for rain or snow, the other doesn't mind any kind of weather and I am always telling her to go back in the barn you nitwit.
I enjoy my goats completely and I can't imagine life without them. Yes, I have to care for their needs,..but that I think is very much part of the enjoyment. So there are alot of goat naysayers, but I think there are just as many of us pro goats and find them completely rewarding. I can't tell you anything about larger breeds as I have only had the dwarfs and miniature.
We had to get a second goat for a companion, we brought home a pygmy, who is just the sweetest thing, now she likes to whine, it's quite pathetic, but it's low and unless you are right there it isn't something you hear and again so low it's laughable not anything my neighbors would have issue with. She does it with her cycle, when she is in heat she whines.
Anyhow my goats lounge around on the grass when my husband is working on the yard, moonstruck by him. They don't cry and whine because they know where we are and know our schedule as to when we will be down there, more or less and they keep each other company along in the corral when my husband isn't home letting them prance around the rest of the yard.
It took me a year to get over the death of our wether and I have finally come around to wanting that milk again enough to deal with the potential loss of babies. So we brought home our buck. At first he made me nervous, he is formidable looking and he had the "I'm new here" attitude that they all get, but after three weeks I am feeling comfortable with him,..he has 2 week old chicks and mother hen bunking with him and even nosing into his feeder when he is eating and he doesn't bother them, which is funny because he is truly food obsessed still. Better still he is getting accustomed to our dog, I keep my eye on him and if he stamps, snorts or lowers his head I remind him and he stops the behavior. Of course you don't have to have a buck you can bring your gals on dates with others who have bucks or get some buck on ice. I got a buck because I have decided to go ahead and breed them as both the nigis are registered, and have not just milk but have it create a little revenue with registered babies to cover the costs of their care.
Our set up is simple. 8x8 chicken coup with covered run connected to the goat barn which is 8x10, the corral is adjacent to the covered run and I would say it looks about 30 by maybe 40 feet in size, the fence height is 5 feet it's wire with posts. Future plans for buck pen and house in around four months but I wouldn't need that if I just had does. They are happy out there, they have a little jump up with a slide and a huge tree to rub their backs and snuggle up to and a small tree to rub their heads on, shade and sun. No escape attempts, I suppose that could change when i move the bucks to a new pen separated out from the does, will deal with that if it presents itself. During the day I keep the covered run open so the ducks and chicks free range so the door between the goat house and coop stays shut, of course the hens pop in and out of the corral all day.
One of my goats has not much use for rain or snow, the other doesn't mind any kind of weather and I am always telling her to go back in the barn you nitwit.
I enjoy my goats completely and I can't imagine life without them. Yes, I have to care for their needs,..but that I think is very much part of the enjoyment. So there are alot of goat naysayers, but I think there are just as many of us pro goats and find them completely rewarding. I can't tell you anything about larger breeds as I have only had the dwarfs and miniature.
Quote:
They are beautiful!
They are beautiful!
My rams were only stinky at certain times of the year.
Quote:
I would get them banded....so not a buck then they won't stink as bad anyways.
Oh I know. I'm just saying truth though.
We have only one buck, who's too young to stink - But once he hits that stage, he's going off to the far end of our place.
I would get them banded....so not a buck then they won't stink as bad anyways.
Oh I know. I'm just saying truth though.
OP it could work. Do you have any one in your area that offers fainters? They don't/can't jump out of the fence. I know that certain goats jump and others that don't.
Goats are wonderful creatures and I have no doubt that you would enjoy them. I wanted to caution you...because nothing is worse than getting something, falling in love and then having the neighbors on your case about it everyday. You kids would love the goats. If you go ahead and do this. I would recommend buying goats that are already de-horned or polled (born hornless). If you indiated how old your kids were - I missed it. Sometimes horns and little kids don't make the best combination.
The part about the noise can go either way. Fainters are know to be very quiet. I have doe, EVE, who is the one of the quietest goats on the farm. Every year for the past three years she had kidded. A single, twins, a single. All girls...all were the most "talkitive" within the herd...they talked and "complained" about everything, and I mean everything. I don't think you can plan on them making more noise during their adjustment period and then all of a sudden being quiet. They are animals and they'll make noise. Do you have neighbors right next to the spot where you plan on keeping the girls?
Another thing to consider is this. To milk a goat you need to breed them - they need to kid. Are you going to keep a buck? What are you going to do with the kids? It is really hard letting them go sometimes. You might want to look at getting a couple of does and not breed them. Just have them for the pure joy of having them. You mentioned the fiber idea...that could work. You also may look into the idea of getting a really tiny breed and use them for therapy at rest homes or have your kids join 4-H and show the girls. Both experiences can be very rewarding. Or you might want to show them in open goat shows - this requres travel.
I'm not trying to talk you out of having goats...I just wanted to point out a few things that you need to consider. Have a plan and figure out what would work for you and your family and the area that you are living in . Stick to your plan and seek out what you need. Do your research on the type of breed you decide on and know what they require as upkeep. Long haired goats require more grooming than your run of the mill short haired breed.
If you want more details on shots/yearly maintenance and hoof care let me know. You can also pm me and I can give you my phone number.
Goats are wonderful creatures and I have no doubt that you would enjoy them. I wanted to caution you...because nothing is worse than getting something, falling in love and then having the neighbors on your case about it everyday. You kids would love the goats. If you go ahead and do this. I would recommend buying goats that are already de-horned or polled (born hornless). If you indiated how old your kids were - I missed it. Sometimes horns and little kids don't make the best combination.
The part about the noise can go either way. Fainters are know to be very quiet. I have doe, EVE, who is the one of the quietest goats on the farm. Every year for the past three years she had kidded. A single, twins, a single. All girls...all were the most "talkitive" within the herd...they talked and "complained" about everything, and I mean everything. I don't think you can plan on them making more noise during their adjustment period and then all of a sudden being quiet. They are animals and they'll make noise. Do you have neighbors right next to the spot where you plan on keeping the girls?
Another thing to consider is this. To milk a goat you need to breed them - they need to kid. Are you going to keep a buck? What are you going to do with the kids? It is really hard letting them go sometimes. You might want to look at getting a couple of does and not breed them. Just have them for the pure joy of having them. You mentioned the fiber idea...that could work. You also may look into the idea of getting a really tiny breed and use them for therapy at rest homes or have your kids join 4-H and show the girls. Both experiences can be very rewarding. Or you might want to show them in open goat shows - this requres travel.
I'm not trying to talk you out of having goats...I just wanted to point out a few things that you need to consider. Have a plan and figure out what would work for you and your family and the area that you are living in . Stick to your plan and seek out what you need. Do your research on the type of breed you decide on and know what they require as upkeep. Long haired goats require more grooming than your run of the mill short haired breed.
If you want more details on shots/yearly maintenance and hoof care let me know. You can also pm me and I can give you my phone number.
Like us, we only had Nubian does and we send the girls off down the road to the breeder's buck for breeding. When they got back, oh boy did they REEK! Gave them a bath and had kids the following months ahead and had delicious milk. No bucks around. Nooooo thank you!
If I had a choice, I would pick sheep because they are not as crazy as goats but the wool is a problem for maggots if they do get too wet or got a cut. It's nasty! Other than that you will be fine.
If I had a choice, I would pick sheep because they are not as crazy as goats but the wool is a problem for maggots if they do get too wet or got a cut. It's nasty! Other than that you will be fine.
Keep in mind that you have to breed them every year for milk. What will you do with the kids? If you really want milk and wool, then probably sheep would be your better choice. Also, goats can get loud and if your neighbors are close, that could become a problem. I have goats so I can't advise you on a good milk/wool sheep breed.
I return to my original farmer/breeder for a loaner ram for breeding purposes, but I am buying a ram lamb from him. They say it isn't worth it to keep a ram for just a few sheep, as they have to be separated from each other at times and it is difficult on a small amount of land unless you have adequate fencing/buildings.
I just like the thought of being able to reproduce my own meat on this place without having to borrow or transport each time.
Most farmers keep several rams they will rent for breeding, if desired. Keep in mind, lambs can make a lot of noise, just like goat kids. Usually the adults are very quiet and they are the most easy care livestock I've ever owned. Funny to watch also.
I just like the thought of being able to reproduce my own meat on this place without having to borrow or transport each time.
Most farmers keep several rams they will rent for breeding, if desired. Keep in mind, lambs can make a lot of noise, just like goat kids. Usually the adults are very quiet and they are the most easy care livestock I've ever owned. Funny to watch also.
Having just worked through this whole "I want something for a bit of milk" thing myself, I would say that probably the biggest consideration is WHAT CAN YOU EASILY GET BRED. Around here, there are some goat breeders who will let you bring your (vetted) does to them for a quick visit with a buck; but I have yet to find anyone who'd do that with a ram, except for one person 2 hrs away who would let me bring ewes to him *if* I bought them from him and never brought any other sheep or goats onto my property.
Now it may be different in your area, ask around -- but if you want milk, you gotta get them bred, and you may find that much easier with one species than with the other. You do NOT want to own a buck, they are incredibly stenchy. Rams not so much, but still a distinct Management Issue. So research into this end of things may clarify your sheep-vs-goat choice for you.
I wound up with sheep, and bought a shetland ram yesterday despite intially being pretty set *against* owning a ram. But I've got land, I have room to keep him separate when I need to, etc -- on a half acre that would be tougher.
Predatorproof fencing will be your main concern, on that small a plot of land; also storage for enough hay. If you get sheep and want to use their fleeces for stuff, you will need to give some thoguht to how you will keep their fleeces clean enough (bedding choice, method of feeding hay, etc)
So far (having known goats in the past, but having had sheep for only a few weeks now) I would say that sheep are probably a bit lower maintenance and more multipurpose, and I will not be as distressed at putting spare lambs in the freezer as I would be putting spare *kids* in the freezer; but on the other hand the sheep seem a bit dimmer and less personable than the goats I've known. Sheep are still interesting, though, and do have the CUTEST noses
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
Now it may be different in your area, ask around -- but if you want milk, you gotta get them bred, and you may find that much easier with one species than with the other. You do NOT want to own a buck, they are incredibly stenchy. Rams not so much, but still a distinct Management Issue. So research into this end of things may clarify your sheep-vs-goat choice for you.
I wound up with sheep, and bought a shetland ram yesterday despite intially being pretty set *against* owning a ram. But I've got land, I have room to keep him separate when I need to, etc -- on a half acre that would be tougher.
Predatorproof fencing will be your main concern, on that small a plot of land; also storage for enough hay. If you get sheep and want to use their fleeces for stuff, you will need to give some thoguht to how you will keep their fleeces clean enough (bedding choice, method of feeding hay, etc)
So far (having known goats in the past, but having had sheep for only a few weeks now) I would say that sheep are probably a bit lower maintenance and more multipurpose, and I will not be as distressed at putting spare lambs in the freezer as I would be putting spare *kids* in the freezer; but on the other hand the sheep seem a bit dimmer and less personable than the goats I've known. Sheep are still interesting, though, and do have the CUTEST noses
Good luck, have fun,
Pat
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