Backyard Goats? Bad idea?

[nayeli]

@bugflipper do you use the sheep for milk though?

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

We saw some sheep the other day too. They were so pretty! I'm not sure what I would do with them though... Besides just being pets. About the goats - I never intend on having a male goat. Or a horned goat.

 

[bugflipper]

Yes I use a milker on the American black bellies. They produce about a quart a day if feeding lambs. They get a little sweet feed and go in the stall with no contempt. They also tame easily to petting and leading on a rope with sweet feed. Eventually they just run to you for attention with no sweet feed, wanting petting and their ears scratched. I've probably raised 6-700 as they generally have twins or triplets. Haven't had one yet that was aggressive towards people. They have the easy going temperament of the hornless Barbados black belly.

Can't say it's the same for all hair sheep breeds though. I raise mouflon and bighorn sheep as well. They are wild and can be dangerous. There is no milking, petting or taming them.

 

[newfoundland]

Only uncastrated male goats smell, females and whethers don't.