I am thinking about getting a goat (s) but have some questions

[Weehopper]

To add to what the others have advised. Goats also need to have regular maintenance, such as having their hooves trimmed, worming and delousing. Pigmey goats are really small. You might want to do some research on some of the larger breeds.

 

[drewskimac]

Thankyou all for so much good information. I really appreciate it all.

 

[jgarruto]

I seem to be unable to upload the photo of the structure we currently have for our Nigerian Dwarf wethers. 15'x20' welded steel enclosure, concrete footers and covered entirely in welded concrete remesh wire, buried at the base. My husband will build a dedicated structure before winter, though they seem to prefer the dog house. Predator-proof, including black bears (fingers crossed). They got chewed on earlier this summer by a rogue bear. We also have dogs, bobcats, coyotes and mountain lions. Don't get complacent!

 

[Beer can]

@jgarruto Are you using a phone or tablet? I found to post pics on my phone only edited one's worked first try. So now I edit, just crop the pic to the original size, and they post.

 

[conny63malies]

So, my dad recently caved in and said I could get a goat to help clear some land. So I have found some baby pygmy goats on craigslist and I am interested in one. However, I want to first make sure I have the means to take care of one properly.

First, I have a chainlink dog pen, If i put tarps on the side of this pen to make an area that is protected from the weather, would this been suffice for my goat to sleep during the night?

Would I be able to let the goat graze in the woods during the day, tied to a long leash or rope?

Would I be able to leave on the weekends and leave her in the dog pen?

Would I need to be worried about predators during the day?

Can a young goat live outside on it's own at this time of the year?

What do I need to feed the goat (in addition to it ranging in the woods during the day)

Thankyou for any and all replies!!!

A pygmy will still need a dog house to sleep in, they love to climb on the and will seek cover in them .. please don't use a rope or tie out, they could strangle themselves or get loose, I prefer portable electric fencing ,,,,, predator? YES!!! I have a coyote problem and he likes to show up between 9-12 in the morning , they are herd animals, get two or more two female, two wethers or one of each- you don't need a stinky buck mine graze, get free choice hay and special goat feed mix from my local feed store- it has to have copper in it . mine also have free choice of loose minerals. I own seven Nubian dairy goats, two does and their three doelings and two bucks.( and my senior buck stinks to high heavens right now)

 

[jgarruto]

@jgarruto Are you using a phone or tablet? I found to post pics on my phone only edited one's worked first try. So now I edit, just crop the pic to the original size, and they post.

That's bizarre! I'll try that - the pics are on my mobile. Thanks @beer can!

 

[jgarruto]

Here it is!

I seem to be unable to upload the photo of the structure we currently have for our Nigerian Dwarf wethers. 15'x20' welded steel enclosure, concrete footers and covered entirely in welded concrete remesh wire, buried at the base. My husband will build a dedicated structure before winter, though they seem to prefer the dog house. Predator-proof, including black bears (fingers crossed). They got chewed on earlier this summer by a rogue bear. We also have dogs, bobcats, coyotes and mountain lions. Don't get complacent!

 

[Beer can]

I seem to be unable to upload the photo of the structure we currently have for our Nigerian Dwarf wethers. 15'x20' welded steel enclosure, concrete footers and covered entirely in welded concrete remesh wire, buried at the base. My husband will build a dedicated structure before winter, though they seem to prefer the dog house. Predator-proof, including black bears (fingers crossed). They got chewed on earlier this summer by a rogue bear. We also have dogs, bobcats, coyotes and mountain lions. Don't get complacent!

We have all those predators also, except no mountain lions or cougars, some around here say we do, but they haven't produced a single pic that wasn't debunked by the internet.
Got this on my trail cam, yeah same dude that got it in Colorado!
We don't worry about predators, our mountain cur keeps them away. We have big bears, they leave us alone. Hawks with our chickens, well then that is another story.....

 

[MeepBeep]

In my area the only real threats to my goats would be coyotes, dogs and possibly a rare wolf or wolf/coyote hybrid...

And since they are all K9 species my two llamas do an excellent job of standing guard, they don't even like my own dogs anywhere near the pasture...

 

[cluckrpeck]

We got goats for clearing as well. Not as good as advertised. They're picky and only seem to like leaves and the dead stuff. BlackBerry bushes, forget about, just eat the leaves.

Better to get a couple of pigs, they'll eat ALL and even uproot the stuff. Taste great too!