Goat(s)??

[devs]

Hi all I wondered if someone could give me some information please...?

We are an animal loving family of 4 - two you kids 10 and 7yo.

My son and I have been interested in getting a goat for a few years now but were put off when we discovered that we needed to get two. As they are pack animals and would get depressed on there own. We planned to tether the goat to keep it safe and away from the road yet realise that we couldn't tether two as they would get tangled? Trust thats right?

My question... Is one goat a definite no no? We work from home and the kids would be in constant interaction with it. Plus we have 8 free range hens that it could play with!

Can I have your thoughts please?

Many thanks!

 

[hysop]

When I had goats I had more than 1. From what I understand is they need a buddy. They will be nosy if they’re by themselves. I know your children will interact with it a lot, but what about the rainy days or really hot days or really cold days, I’m sure they will stay home leaving the goat to be by itself. What about at night? Will the goat sleep with you guys or by itself? They will call for a friend. It’s the same with any other animal, they need companionship, sometimes more than just human interaction. Get mini/dwarf goats, they’re tiny and cute.

 

[Mvan42]

I agree two is better than one. My kids 14 and 12 play with ours but they can't be with the. All the time. And they are kids and the goat(s) will get old and boring...

 

[Alwaysfowlplay]

They need a companion. What about two Dwarf goats so they are smaller? You said tethered, do you want them tied up all the time? Is just fencing them in an option?

 

[devs]

Thanks very much everyone for the replies. Yes we planned to have the goat(s) tethered as it would be costly and unsightly to fence. Unfortunately.

We were interested in milking the goat and assume that this would rule out the dwarf goats. (Plus I actually prefer the full size goats)

I trust that there are no tricks to allow two to be tethered and not tangel?

Thanks.

 

[hysop]

Thanks very much everyone for the replies. Yes we planned to have the goat(s) tethered as it would be costly and unsightly to fence. Unfortunately.

We were interested in milking the goat and assume that this would rule out the dwarf goats. (Plus I actually prefer the full size goats)

I trust that there are no tricks to allow two to be tethered and not tangel?

Thanks.

I personally wouldn’t tether the poor things. It’s just as sad as seeing a dog chained up all its life. But I don’t think it’s illegal to tether, I just personally find it cruel to tether long term.

But glad you will be deciding on getting two instead of just one lonely one. Maybe when you breed her keep the kid forever.

 

[littledog]

"Yes we planned to have the goat(s) tethered as it would be costly and unsightly to fence.
.....
We were interested in milking the goat... "

Sorry to be so critical, but IMO you need to rethink your goals.

First of all, any goat needs another goat companion. They are herd animals. Dogs, chickens or human children do not do the job. A lonely goat will cry very loudly, which will give your neighbors a lot more to complain about than a fence.

Second, keeping goats tethered should only be done on occasion, when you are there to watch over them while they eat specific areas. It's abusive to keep them that way permanently.

Third, what is so unsightly about a fence? This statement makes me assume you live in a suburb or an HOA area where certain types of fences aren't allowed. So, if you are really set on keeping goats, what types of fences are approved for your area? Look at the codes, in terms of fences that are high enough and strong enough to have a secure pen that's big enough, and choose that. If it's too costly, then sorry, but you can't afford to keep goats.

Fourth, you say you want to milk goats. Goat milk is not a resource you can just assume will be there if you own female goats. Goats (or any animals) only produce milk when they are happy and well-taken care of. After having given birth to goat kids, kept in a fenced pen with a warm shelter, given vaccinations and deworming treatments, then trained to stand for milking, and the milk filtered and sterilized.

I'm not saying you should not have goats, in fact I hope you do!
After doing a lot more research, giving up on 24/7 tethering, having at least two goats, and building a nice pen that's 50 square foot per goat with a shelter, and maybe putting off the goal of milking until you know what it's like to take care of goats.

Good luck to you, I wish you the best.

 

[cassie]

Tethering is a really bad idea for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that it makes the goats vulnerable to any predator, like the neighbor's dogs, that happen by. You can make a fence out of livestock panels and they are not expensive. The electrified poultry fencing that is available will work too. It is relatively inexpensive, it is easy to put up and take down and you can move it.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

"Yes we planned to have the goat(s) tethered as it would be costly and unsightly to fence.
.....
We were interested in milking the goat... "

Sorry to be so critical, but IMO you need to rethink your goals.

First of all, any goat needs another goat companion. They are herd animals. Dogs, chickens or human children do not do the job. A lonely goat will cry very loudly, which will give your neighbors a lot more to complain about than a fence.

Second, keeping goats tethered should only be done on occasion, when you are there to watch over them while they eat specific areas. It's abusive to keep them that way permanently.

Third, what is so unsightly about a fence? This statement makes me assume you live in a suburb or an HOA area where certain types of fences aren't allowed. So, if you are really set on keeping goats, what types of fences are approved for your area? Look at the codes, in terms of fences that are high enough and strong enough to have a secure pen that's big enough, and choose that. If it's too costly, then sorry, but you can't afford to keep goats.

Fourth, you say you want to milk goats. Goat milk is not a resource you can just assume will be there if you own female goats. Goats (or any animals) only produce milk when they are happy and well-taken care of. After having given birth to goat kids, kept in a fenced pen with a warm shelter, given vaccinations and deworming treatments, then trained to stand for milking, and the milk filtered and sterilized.

I'm not saying you should not have goats, in fact I hope you do!
After doing a lot more research, giving up on 24/7 tethering, having at least two goats, and building a nice pen that's 50 square foot per goat with a shelter, and maybe putting off the goal of milking until you know what it's like to take care of goats.

Good luck to you, I wish you the best.

I have goats that are free range during the day now. Taught them by tethering one. Goats don’t leave each other. I definitely wouldn’t leave them tethered overnight, etc. but, one goat tethered during th3 day, worked for us. Yes, you definitely need more than one goat. They will be miserable, not eat, bawl all day.As for dairy goats..be careful of the breed. Do you research..measure your body, (up to your crotch). I have smaller goats now. One is very dairy, I get up to a gallon a day!! So, I wanted to add dairy breeds to my herd. Just bought an Alpine/ Nubian cross and a French Alpine. They are gorgeous, leash trained. Very nice. But the6 are powerful goats. Weigh about 70 lbs...stand tall and lanky. After getting them on the stand for hooves, etc, I realize I’m too short for the maintenace. I. Also used to 37-50lb goats. That is a big difference when your goat is being stubborn..I don’t want to scare you off a dairy goat..I wanted these goats bad!! Just do your measurements....and, if you go to buy...don’t just check bags, etc...stand over them..startle...see if they are too tall. Plus, take them on a walk before you Buy..,it’ll help you see if the6 pull or are stubborn. These goats are leash trained, but, boy if they want to move, or stand still..there’s no winning that battle, at least for me. I’m about 5’4” and maybe 120 lbs, soaking wet

As for the milking...it is true, they need that bond with you to let down the milk. Plus, it’s not as easy to master as upyoud think. We bought three machines..one was $500, still didn’t do the job the best way, in my opinion. I’m back to hand milking. I love it..just took a but to build up hand strength.
Goats are a huge commitment..they are a ton of maintenance..but so worth every second!! But I like to caution those who plan to buy a goat to clear brush, or something else. You need time, research and excellent record keeping. Goats require a lot of learning. I’m still learning every day. The6 are by far my favorite animals on my big farm...but they take the most time, too. Good luck, 8 hope you get some...BUT do your homework, as you are on here! And,if you can’t put up a fence, and at least a goat shed at first...in my opinion...they won’t be safe.... maybe during the day, as we do, I have the: out..bu5 at night you need A Very good fence.