I really want a goat... :)

[MollyAngel]

I really, really, really want a goat. My dad is interested in getting two Nigerian Dwarf does. I have done some (not that much) research on the subject, and I want to get them more every time I read another article. We already have twenty chickens, but I have some questions.
1.) Do they make any/a lot of noise?
2.) Is it difficult to train them to be docile and not vicious?
3.) Is it hard to milk and take care of them?
4.) How high of a fence will I need?
5.) How much room will they need to walk around?
This is just a few questions, and I am sure I will need more info as I get farther in this subject.
THANK YOU!!!!

 

[FireTigeris]

Trying to get arg rating here, I know goats are no no's till thin- very interested.

Back Yard Herds may have more info.

 

[Texokie1]

Not sure about Nigerians, but I can recommend Pygmys. I've dealt with Boers, Nubians, Alpines/La Mancha crosses, and Pygmys, and Pygmys were my favs. I had one that was VERY easy to train (but keep in mind it was a bottle-baby) - I had it leash-trained. YES, she was noisy when she wanted attention...and they can be destructive...she once managed to break through the back screen door to come back in the house (after she older and evicted from the indoors...she didn't take kindly to that). But her destructive streak was NOTHING compared to the Alpine/La Manchas. A standard chainlink fence (say, 4-foot) kept her in just fine...provided there were no convienient picnic tables to use to boost herself over. I kept her in a standard-lot backyard for a bit, then moved her to my folks place. They had her in a 4' X 20' pen...but they also turned her out daily to graze with their horses. Never bred her (or any of them, actually) but I understand Pygmys have a very high fat (rich) milk.

 

[FireTigeris]

Sound perfect really- I happen to have a four foot fence.

 

[MollyAngel]

Thanks! I don't really care about what they are, I just know my dad wants them to be useful. I will ask him what he thinks. Please check back on this thread soon because I will probably have an answer from him.

 

[Stacykins]

I really, really, really want a goat. My dad is interested in getting two Nigerian Dwarf does. I have done some (not that much) research on the subject, and I want to get them more every time I read another article. We already have twenty chickens, but I have some questions.
1.) Do they make any/a lot of noise? My two Nigerian Dwarf kids, when I'm around, constantly go MAAAAAAAAA! MAAAAAAAAAA! but it is cute and adorable. My adult Nigerian Dwarf doe is much quieter, she quietly 'nickers' when she wants attention. My boer wether is almost silent except for when he goes BLAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHGGGG! when I have to lift him onto the milk stand to tend his hooves or whatnot (silly dope won't jump up there on his own, even through he loves the grain he gets as a treat on the stand).
2.) Is it difficult to train them to be docile and not vicious? Very easy to train! Very food oriented, and willing to please. The two kids are amazingly easy to train, while Twix catches on quickly when she knows I have treats in my pocket. They're all very curious and in your face. My wether wasn't given much attention at his previous home, so he was really shy, nervous, and hard to catch. THAT changed quickly when he realized he actually liked attention and treats! Before he'd try and run away, now he runs up and I can clip him to lead easily.
3.) Is it hard to milk and take care of them? If you get Nigerians and want to milk, try and get them from milking lines. Does with big udders, big teats, and large orifices. Milking mouse teats isn't fun! As for care, they're pretty easy, compared to other livestock! Hay, loose minerals, grain if they are growing, pregnant, or lactating (I use it as a treat too) are needed, as is a sturdy fence.
4.) How high of a fence will I need? My adult Nigerian dwarf can clear a 4 foot fence, she has springs built into her legs. It depends on your goats. If you have a 4 foot fence, but have a few stands of hot wire to discourage them getting near the fence, they won't want to attempt a jump. You gotta figure out what works for you.
5.) How much room will they need to walk around? As much room as you can spare? They LOVE running and bouncing and climbing over any toys/obstacles you provide.
This is just a few questions, and I am sure I will need more info as I get farther in this subject.
THANK YOU!!!!

If you want milk, I wouldn't recommend pygmies. They're not really bred for milk, so they won't have good udder quality, and they won't have much quantity either. They're more of a small meat breed. Nigerians are a small dairy breed. You can tell just by looking at them, haha. Pygmies look like a barrel with legs, while Nigerians are light framed.

 

[MollyAngel]

Thank you so much! We would probably takek them for walks and let them roam in the backyard over the summer, but will they be as active in the winter? I have also heard that they can fit in a large dog crate. Is that true?

 

[elevan]

Here's a good thread for you to read: http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=19110


And I am a big proponent of milking pygmies. If you take care to look at udders and milking qualities then you can find some nicely milkable pygmies. The Pygmy and the Nigerian Dwarf both originated from the same breed.

 

[MollyAngel]

Thanks guys!

 

[LR Gamefarm]

dwarf goats/pygmy goats are not really aggresive so that wont be a prblem but on fencing i use 48" hog wire for goats on room they will need at least a pen about 30x30 for 2 on feeding them they dont need a lot of grain if you goat a feild for them to graze on about an acre and a half would be just fine i keep my goats on a acre in a half pasture divided in half and just move them back and forth i also have a round pen for them during the winter they do not make a lot of noise unless hungry if you need to feed them grain then i'd you chicken scratch i have found that they like it