Calling all dairy goat owners!

[penelope77]

Quote:
i second this. it isn't as scary and complicated as it can be made out to be. i thought some people made chickens seem scary too but i've managed to raise chickens, ducks and goats. the goats have been a great experience as well as the birds.

 

[Run-A-Muck Ranch]

I know I am probably a day late and a dollar short, but are you still looking for goats????
I have a few does I would like to get rid off...I had to chance to buy some goats I had been looking for. Well I was able to get a much better deal on taking all 11 does, than if I just picked out a few. I was only looking at about 6-8 girls, and ended up with 11. So if youre still looking I have some.

Not sure on the breed, or age you are looking for, but I also live in WI (NW) WI though....

 

[wombat]

I got 5 books from the library, which were printed in the 70's, I don't know how much things have changed since then.

People stopped wearing bell bottoms. Then they started again. Disco died, thank god. TVs are flat now. Goats haven't changed much, but now that car bumpers are plastic instead of chrome, a goat can eat the bumper off your Chevy in about half the time.

 

[Sillystunt]

go onto www.backyardherds.com

research what size, type , how much milk wanted etc! i have nigerian dwarfs and love them. they are small, require little feed and room, their milk is sweet, they are just sooo cute! Males will stink no matter what type of goat u get. they need a herd so get at least 2 and secure your pen. they like to escape~
chech out my BYC page on nigerians
<------------------------------------------

 

[JoyB]

I agree with the other posts here.. Fiasco farms website is an incredible resourse. And Im also one for common sence on goat raising. They are easy, fun and a blast to watch. I have Oberhasli's. The milk reminds me of the kind I buy at the store. You know, regular cows milk. They are quiet. They dont try to escape my pen. They are very calm and very gentle. I trust them with small children. They NEVER get pushy like my Pygmy's did. They just love to be made of. Not to big to handle but not as small as pygmy's. Did I say they are fun to watch? lol

 

[JoyB]

PS.... Trust me........... If I can raise goats.. Anyone can..

 

[Laurieks]

Yes yes yes FiascoFarm site. I bought some oweez tincture from her and love it

www.adga.org American Dairy Goat Association for list of breeders in your area, and lots of other info like pedigree research, and show schedules. If you haven't been, try to go to a show and see what breed grabs your heart. (and don't believe anyone who says that only Nubians are noisy-mine are quiet unless something's wrong). The ADGA convention is in Buffalo this fall; a great place to learn tons in a week, and meet the vendors on the other side of those websites. I went to my first convention last fall... loved it!

See if you can find a 4H or FFA group in your area with goats. They get credit for teaching, speaking, etc., and could give you some real hands-on experience. Be ready to wear a cover suit and scrub up. Many of us goat folks are germ phobic, for good reason, there are a few bad things out there that can be tracked in on innocent feet.

Most breeders test annually for CAE (caprine arthritic encephalitis-a retrovirus )and CL (caseous lymphadenitis-abcesses, not only on the skin, but on many organs). www.pavlab.com is affordable for testing and has more disease info.

Also check Hoegger's supply; their catalog is full of helpful information. www.hoeggergoatsupply.com

Hamby Dairy Supply has a nice newsletter & catalog. http://hambydairysupply.com/xcart/home.php

4Hers or FFAers are also a good source of more affordable used equipment.

Raising Small Livestock was one of my 'starter' books; by Jerry Belanger from Rodale press, IIRC.

I hope this doesn't scare you off, goats are great!