Goat People...

[Southern28Chick]

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I want 2 does.

Or one doe and one buck.

 

[peeps7]

Well, if I don't buy all of his does then you could have a buck and a doe.

 

[Southern28Chick]

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Could you PM me and let me know what he's charging? Thanks!

 

[mlheran]

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From what I've read, bucks are a challenge. If you're raising milk goats (or just want pets with controlled breeding) you need to keep the bucks completely separate from the does because their smell can taint the milk and they can mate through fences! And they're more likely to be aggressiive if you're handling "their" doe. Even if you have to pay to transport and "rent" a buck for a couple weeks a year it will probably be cheaper than keeping one full-time. Everything I've read says that bucks are not a good choice for a first-timer. A doe would need a companion though, and another doe or a wether would be a perfect choice. Most breeders even offer a discount when you take a wether with a doe.

But whether you get a pair, a doe and a wether, or two does, please keep us updated on how things go -we're all curious and excited!

 

[Southern28Chick]

Quote:
From what I've read, bucks are a challenge. If you're raising milk goats (or just want pets with controlled breeding) you need to keep the bucks completely separate from the does because their smell can taint the milk and they can mate through fences! And they're more likely to be aggressiive if you're handling "their" doe. Even if you have to pay to transport and "rent" a buck for a couple weeks a year it will probably be cheaper than keeping one full-time. Everything I've read says that bucks are not a good choice for a first-timer. A doe would need a companion though, and another doe or a wether would be a perfect choice. Most breeders even offer a discount when you take a wether with a doe.

But whether you get a pair, a doe and a wether, or two does, please keep us updated on how things go -we're all curious and excited!

I would rather have 2 does. That's what I planned on to begin with. If I can find 2 Nigerian does, that's what I'll get. I've heard that bucks pee on their beards! EWWWWW! LOL

 

[Wildsky]

Angie - Mary is very very cute!

 

[Haviris]

Just wanted to point out a goat doesn't have to be bottle fed to be friendly, my kids are handled from birth and are very friendly! Whether I leave them on their mothers or raise them myself. My youngest buck was not a bottle baby and is definately a lap goat. Couldn't go outside without him wanting to sit on me. In fact as adults some of my non bottle goats are friendlier then some of the bottle kids.

Just pick a breeder that handles the kids alot and they will be every bit as friendly. I don't normally pull a kid unless there is a problem, I don't like selling bottle kids until they are atleast 4 weeks old (but prefer around 6 weeks), most people seem to burn out on bottle feeding after about 6 weeks and start wanting to wean, kids need to be left on the bottle until atleast 10 weeks and preferably 12 weeks, so they still get plenty of bottle feeding time and the kids are ready to wean by the time the owners are getting burn out. Personally I've found that the best way to wean is the wait until the kid lets you know it's ready, they are alot less needy and mouthy that way.

Just thought I would through that out there!

 

[Crunchie]

Quote:
From what I've read, bucks are a challenge. If you're raising milk goats (or just want pets with controlled breeding) you need to keep the bucks completely separate from the does because their smell can taint the milk and they can mate through fences! And they're more likely to be aggressiive if you're handling "their" doe. Even if you have to pay to transport and "rent" a buck for a couple weeks a year it will probably be cheaper than keeping one full-time. Everything I've read says that bucks are not a good choice for a first-timer. A doe would need a companion though, and another doe or a wether would be a perfect choice. Most breeders even offer a discount when you take a wether with a doe.

But whether you get a pair, a doe and a wether, or two does, please keep us updated on how things go -we're all curious and excited!

I would rather have 2 does. That's what I planned on to begin with. If I can find 2 Nigerian does, that's what I'll get. I've heard that bucks pee on their beards! EWWWWW! LOL

Haha, yes, bucks do pee on their beards...and they make sure to spread the pee to every other available body part (and their does!) that they can get it on! They are truly gross.

Yeah, I wouldn't get a buck; even if you want to breed, you don't need to keep a buck. Like mlheran pointed out, you can always "rent" one. If you develop a good relationship with a breeder, many are happy to let someone else house/keep/feed a buck for a few weeks/month! If you can't get two does, get a wether for her companion. Breeders always have extra wethers--they're cheap, easy to find, and make wonderful pets.