Goat Thread!

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My three remaining pygmy Nigerian mix boys, Flash and Junior, and Prancer, in the top photo, who got out of the goat pasture and into the donkey pasture, he was stomped but escaped, he slightly drags his right side legs, but otherwise is fine.

 

[henny1129]

They're gorgeous (or should I say handsome?)! Glad Prancer was ok. I love the photobombing chicken in the second pic!

 

[waddles99]

Just thought I'd share this pic of my boer wether meeting a cow for the first time. I thought it was pretty funny!

 

[KidsandGuineas]

Hi
I really want to get a goat! what do they cost to buy? are babies only available in the spring?
Thanks

 

[henny1129]

Just thought I'd share this pic of my boer wether meeting a cow for the first time. I thought it was pretty funny!

Awe! Both are adorable!

 

[henny1129]

Hi
I really want to get a goat! what do they cost to buy? are babies only available in the spring?
Thanks

Welcome KidsandGuineas! I know what you mean about wanting a goat! I wanted them so long before I got some!

Well, lots of people in the "goat world" say, "you get what you pay for". In other words, if you buy a cheaper goat it might not be vaccinated, healthy, and friendly (there are some exceptions though where you find a really great, cheap goat). A more expensive goat will be vaccinated and healthy (and usually the added bonus of being pure-bred). Also keep in mind what you want to use the goat for: showing, dairy, pet, performance, or meat. A pet or performance goat will normally be cheaper than "show goats". A good quality show goat will normally be $300 or upwards in price.

Well, there is definitely a larger abundance of babies in the spring. Not to say you won't be able to find some kids now though. Craigslist is a great place to start looking for goats, but its important to ensure that the goats come from a healthy, safe, and clean environment. And the goat itself is healthy as well! I remember when I found the "perfect goats" on Craigslist, but when I found another ad by that person advertising some nanny goats, I knew it was not the place to get my goats, as the nannies were not healthy and the facility was not clean. So, I'm not saying you shouldn't buy from Craigslist as its a great place to get cheaper goats, just take precaution and look around a bit before committing to some goats.

You could also research some breeders in your area and contact them to see if they have any kids available. They might of had does that kidded late and they have some left over kids. While these goats will be more expensive, you know they will be vaccinated and healthy.

Good luck! And if you have any more questions feel free to ask away! Hope this has helped!
henny1129

 

[KidsandGuineas]

I want a dairy/pet goat. Do goats free range or will i have to feed them? what kind of shelter do they need for northern MN winters?(it sometimes gets to -20 with windchill!)

 

[Fire Ant Farm]

I want a dairy/pet goat. Do goats free range or will i have to feed them? what kind of shelter do they need for northern MN winters?(it sometimes gets to -20 with windchill!)

I am planning to get dairy goats as well, probably next year. There is a lot to know - I've been reading. I would strongly suggest you get Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats. It covers pretty much everything you need to know before making your decision and being prepared to care for them.

Here it is on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-Raising-Dairy-Goats/dp/1603425802

Maybe someone else will pipe up, but that;s my take on it, as I'm in the same place as you, and am trying to learn all I can so I can get them.

- Ant Farm

 

[henny1129]

I want a dairy/pet goat. Do goats free range or will i have to feed them? what kind of shelter do they need for northern MN winters?(it sometimes gets to -20 with windchill!)

I wouldn't suggest free ranging your goats. First, they will get into as much trouble as they can possibly get in to without a fence keeping them in. As far as feeding them if they are free ranging, I still would. While "natural" foods are great, they don't have all the nutrients goats need. If you just supplement them with some goat feed each day it will ensure they have all the nutrients they need to be healthy.

Goats are pretty cold hardy, but it's still important to give them a shelter from snow, rain, wind, and to give them some shade. A shelter for goats can really be anything. It's important that it has at least three sides. For our goats we have a shed that they have free access to through out the day. And at night we lock them up in it to keep them safe from predators. To prevent them from chewing the wood on the sides, we put up hardware cloth and it works great! On the bottom we have rubber mats, that way if we ever want to, we can pull out the rubber mats and repurpose the shed without having little goatie droppings on the wood floor. This shed is actually temporary until we get stalls up in the barn, but it would be a great long term shed!

Please keep asking questions, we're here to answer them!
henny1129

 

[henny1129]

I am planning to get dairy goats as well, probably next year. There is a lot to know - I've been reading. I would strongly suggest you get Storey's Guide to Raising Dairy Goats. It covers pretty much everything you need to know before making your decision and being prepared to care for them. 

Here it is on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Storeys-Guide-Raising-Dairy-Goats/dp/1603425802

Maybe someone else will pipe up, but that;s my take on it, as I'm in the same place as you, and am trying to learn all I can so I can get them.

- Ant Farm 

Welcome Ant Farm! I would have quoted you in my last post, but you were posting as I was posting! Thank you for the link, it should be very helpful. And feel free to ask any questions you might have as well!
henny1129