Do I really want goats??

gina you have great questions - you need to start your own thread so people will respond specifically to your questions.

By the way... do you all know that Backyardgoats is coming??? Nifty is putting it together for us goat lovers.
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Back to gina:
What type of fence would you recomend? Height? Material?

That depends on the size and type of goat you have. All goats are really hard on fences though so you need to make sure it is solid and secure. If your goats have horns you need smaller openings so they don't get caught. I would never go with less than a four foot fence for any goat... some goats have to have six foot fences. They will rub on it, lean on it and stand up on it ... so make it strong.

Chain link can make a great fence... just make sure it's supported well with the posts about 6 to 7 feet apart at most.

Vet bill??? How much is the up keep on goats? Do they need vacines or health checks, monthly, yearly???

Most goats, if taken well care of, seldom need a vet. If you do need a vet, it can be very difficult to find a goat vet. I'd look and find one before getting your goats. Up keep is very different according to what breed/type of goat you have and where you live. A milking doe needs far more in feed/supplements than a wether. Will they be on pasture most of them time or will you need to feed them hay year round?

They need yearly CDT shots and may need need worming regularly or once in a while. They need their feet trimmed, which is very easy to do with a well mannered goat.

From what I read the Nubians are good for milk. Do the mimi Nubians also have good milk?

Nubians have the highest butterfat of all breeds. Nigerian Dwarfs are second. Alpines give the highest amount of milk but are followed very closely by several other breeds. Mini Nubians also have a higher butterfat content in their milk and I've been told do well with milking.

Is it true you should have two so they keep each other company?

Yes, yes, yes!! Never have just one goat. The get bored and then get into trouble or have health issues from being lonely. They are very social animals and need the company of another goat. (Sometimes they are ok with another animal as a companion but they would almost always prefer another goat to play with.)

I have also been told my goat owners that they are lousy at clearing the hill side, very picky eaters. What do they prefer? Hay, straw, feed? Just trying to get an idea of monthly average on food cost.

As stated above.. this varies greatly depending on what sex, size and what you are doing with them. Goats do not eat straw... that is a bedding material (well, ok, they may eat it but it's not feed
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). They need a good quality grass/alfalfa hay or alfalfa hay. Some need supplements; like feed (if you are milking or have pregnant does). If you are using a wether to work - pull a cart, he needs more feed than if he's just a pet.​
 
Wow, thank you so much.
That helps a ton. I have been saving to fence in my property. I need like 500 ft of 6ft chain link. My husband thinks i'm nuts but thats normal. I figure it will keep my hens safe-er and in the future contain a couple goats. We live in North County San Diego and have a big Coyote problems. I know they can jump but I am hoping to deter them.

I would like a Doe and a weather, I figure to keep them as pets for about a year then hopefully breed the doe and then milk her. Timing is everything though, I have three little ones and need to get them further along in school first. One step at a time is what I tell myself.

Fence fence fence!!!!!!!!
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Oh, and I am looking toward the goat forum!!!


Chirpy, where abouts are yo in Co? I would loveto live there sme day. I have bee eyeing property on and off for years.
 
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TanksHill asked:
Chirpy, where abouts are yo in Co? I would loveto live there sme day. I have bee eyeing property on and off for years.

I live on the eastern plains. Colorado has many different types of scenery. The plains are gently rolling hills and flatland with grass and little to no trees. The mountains, of course, have tons of evergreens and Aspen.

Most of Colorado is literally too expensive to buy unless you are fortunate to find a fixer upper or foreclosed home (which right now there are a ton of). However, parts (like southern Colorado) have very doable prices but it's very desert like so you can't grow anything down there without a lot of work/water.

There are very few jobs in Colorado right now also.​
 
I have two goats ( i don't know their breed, they're a mix). We have two sisters...one was weaned and the other we bottle fed. They are both so friendly though, when they were almost full grown they were still trying to get in our lap when we sat down.

Our goats do not eat very much grass, they go mostly for weeds, dried leaves, my blackberry bush, lime tree and grape vines.

Love them though...thos crazy goats!
 
I love my Boer Goat! I tether him out where I want the brush trimmed.Yes they like the taller stuff,and it's better for him. (worms?)I never have to weed eat the hillside.
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Yes they will eat everything,but not tin cans.
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No their not really grass eaters.

Please check for the correct diet before buying,all animals can't eat the same things.
 

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