Best Goat?..

[greyfields]

You can mix. The choice makes utterly no difference. All the breeds overlap in performance, and within each species there will be good performers and bad ones. I'd say pick on looks alone. We raise Nubians because I like how they look. If I had liked how oberhausies looked, I would have raised them. But, I didn't.

We milk 3 goats here which is ample for a family of 3, gives us tons of chevre to eat and trade and keep us un too much milk (a lot goes to pigs) most the time

 

[kinnip]

You want one of these.

 

[youdontknow32]

I'm sorry what kind of goat is that..ha can you tell I know nothing?

 

[tat2edlady]

I have NDG and they are so sweet I just got a new bully for them and am hoping he has all ready breed one of the girls but not sure yet.I will post pics of my babys and the new boy in a min.

Mindy

 

[kinnip]

Quote:
It's a LaMancha.

 

[pinkchick]

I love my Pygmies!
My mom had some Nubians and an Alpine when we were growing up. LOVED the Nubians they were so friendly, but Daisy the Alpine, she was awful! Still have a 8" scar going up the side of my leg where she attempted to gore me. She was not afraid to use her horns. I don't think that this behavior is common in Alpines though. I think she was one of a kind! Mom had her dehorned after that trip to the ER but they grew back and she didn't miss a beat. Mom rehomed her because of this. I have spent time with other Alpines that were wonderful.
I also have a soft spot for Nigi's. OMGosh they are so colorful and cute!

 

[Chirpy]

That's a LaMancha - they have no ears. They are great milkers.

I have Nigerian Dwarfs...

I have Alpine milking does...

And, I have Nubian milking does...

I've only got a picture of my momma and her doeling...

I LOVE all my goats. My NDs are allowed the run of the place during the day (when we are home) and they are like puppies. They follow me everywhere and get into, onto, under, above, over, through and on top of everything. If you chose a small breed and want to milk, then get ND's from a milking line... not all NDs have good milking genetics and you want the best teats possible when they are that small to begin with.

Pygmies are not known for their milk but are great pets.

My Alpines and Nubians are allowed out only on occasion and they also follow me around. They are not allowed to run because I milk them and when they eat weeds, etc. it changes the flavor of their milk. Thus, I keep them contained in a large fenced area and feed them the same feed every day. Again, if you think you want to milk in the future start out with the best quality milking doe(s) you can afford. Check out as many local farms (even if they only have one or two milkers) to ask questions and see how they do things. It really helps to learn when you can have hands on and visual help.

I've heard that Nubians are more vocal than other goat breeds. Mine have certainly proven that true. It doesn't matter to me as my barn is far enough from the house that I don't hear them unless I'm outside but it's something to consider. My ND's are actually the most vocal.. if they even think I'm coming outside they start yelling for me and don't stop until I'm with them or have gone back into the house.

Whether you want to milk or not I'd say go with the breed that you like the looks of the most. Some people don't like LaManchas because of the no ears, some people don't like Nubians because of the Roman nose.... some people love them for those features. You have to decide.

Also, if you don't want to milk, wethers make great pets and breeders often have a harder time placing them in good homes. Make sure you get two goats no matter what breed(s) you get. They are very social and need to have the company of another goat.

Some people will say that you have to get a bottle fed baby to have friendly goats. That's absolutely not true. IF the kid was raised with lots of people contact they will be just as "in your lap" as bottle raised babies. None of mine were bottle raised and they are all very, very friendly. Now, it would make a difference if the kid didn't have much human interaction through it's growing up.

Finally, the very first thing you need to do is to have the best, most goat proof fencing ready for them before you bring them home.

Have fun learning and researching and then bringing home your new goats.

 

[youdontknow32]

Thank you!

 

[playswithfowl]

I've always wanted mini-manchas! Thats awesome that someone on BYC has them!

 

[youdontknow32]

Thank you for the great pictures! I am sooo excited! I really hope I learn enough and get a great place built for them so that I can have them in the near future...but obviously I want to know tons about them before just diving in...that's just who I am.

I think I know what I want now..I am hoping to get at least 3 girls and 1 boy...I want them to have their own little family....

Thanks for the info on the kids...because I deffinetly want friendly goats..I have been around plenty that were mean...and being that I have a 1 year old boy, that is VERY important....so that was good to know!


Thank you for all of the great pics and for taking your time to inform me! This was fun!!