So I've really wanted goats for some time and it will probably be a little while before I can get them since currently all my money is going to go towards building a new chicken coop and run but I figured I would start planning now.
I have considered adding ducks and do want them but they seem very messy even with cleaning and goats just seem to very neat, clean animals so back to wanting them. If I am wrong please correct me.
Now, I believe I did have a similar thread a while ago and also done research but I have some new questions.
Previous threads and research have typically led me to dwarf goats or dairy breeds and wethers. Specifically Nigerian Dwarf or African Pygmy (APs do not seem to be around here), Toggenburg, Oberhasli, and Alpine. Have heard Nubians and LaManchas can be loud but that Nubians are nice.
I always ruled our Boers as i thought they were solely meat goats or boring and not very pretty (rude I know).
I really really liked Nigerian's as they seem very personable and VERY cute and funny and many colors available. Very good traits for a pet.
HOWEVER.
I have recentlyheard that rhe dwarf gosts are not very good at brush clearing or that you would need a lot more and that the boers are excellent at this so my thinking has sort of changed.
I guess my questions are these:
These goats would be primarily PETS but they would also hopefully have the job of brush clearing. If they were to be just pets I would be fine with that too but I figure they should earn their keep.
Being pets, I don't want them to be mean or pushy.
What goats are the best for clearing brush? Are there any that can do that well and still be good pets?
If not is it possible to keeo dwarfs with standard goats so that I could have both pets and effective brush clearers?
We have about 3 acres, only about an acre or acre and a half of which is yard. The yard is huge, don't get me wrong, but there's lots of woods plus our woods connect with neighbors and they never use it so plenty of food. Besides the woods we have several overgrown patches on the property. Various grasses, poison ivy, weeds, berries, etc. Would they eat this?
Also, maybe thid is considered weird but are there any that might be easier to take on walks in the neighborhood or on hikes? I have heard of pack animals, is that a thing? Even if they don't pack, can I just take them for walks?
Can they eat the brush on walks and hikes or is it best to avoid it in case they spray it?
I think that milking is too much work for us and we have no need for milk anyways so believe wethers would be best for us unless does do not necessarily need to be milked or bred?
Also would a 3 sided plywood shelter be sufficient shelter?
And is any hay besides alfalfa good?
Sorry there are so many questions, I only had one or two but thought of more while typing. Sorry.
TIA
I have considered adding ducks and do want them but they seem very messy even with cleaning and goats just seem to very neat, clean animals so back to wanting them. If I am wrong please correct me.
Now, I believe I did have a similar thread a while ago and also done research but I have some new questions.
Previous threads and research have typically led me to dwarf goats or dairy breeds and wethers. Specifically Nigerian Dwarf or African Pygmy (APs do not seem to be around here), Toggenburg, Oberhasli, and Alpine. Have heard Nubians and LaManchas can be loud but that Nubians are nice.
I always ruled our Boers as i thought they were solely meat goats or boring and not very pretty (rude I know).
I really really liked Nigerian's as they seem very personable and VERY cute and funny and many colors available. Very good traits for a pet.
HOWEVER.
I have recentlyheard that rhe dwarf gosts are not very good at brush clearing or that you would need a lot more and that the boers are excellent at this so my thinking has sort of changed.
I guess my questions are these:
These goats would be primarily PETS but they would also hopefully have the job of brush clearing. If they were to be just pets I would be fine with that too but I figure they should earn their keep.
Being pets, I don't want them to be mean or pushy.
What goats are the best for clearing brush? Are there any that can do that well and still be good pets?
If not is it possible to keeo dwarfs with standard goats so that I could have both pets and effective brush clearers?
We have about 3 acres, only about an acre or acre and a half of which is yard. The yard is huge, don't get me wrong, but there's lots of woods plus our woods connect with neighbors and they never use it so plenty of food. Besides the woods we have several overgrown patches on the property. Various grasses, poison ivy, weeds, berries, etc. Would they eat this?
Also, maybe thid is considered weird but are there any that might be easier to take on walks in the neighborhood or on hikes? I have heard of pack animals, is that a thing? Even if they don't pack, can I just take them for walks?
Can they eat the brush on walks and hikes or is it best to avoid it in case they spray it?
I think that milking is too much work for us and we have no need for milk anyways so believe wethers would be best for us unless does do not necessarily need to be milked or bred?
Also would a 3 sided plywood shelter be sufficient shelter?
And is any hay besides alfalfa good?
Sorry there are so many questions, I only had one or two but thought of more while typing. Sorry.
TIA