I would like a dairy goat but don't know which breed...

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Can anyone offer any advice for a first time goat owner?
I'm looking for something friendly, and I don't think I want a tiny goat.

Can goats and horses be turned out together?

I am not looking to run out tomorrow and buy a goat. I'm still in the research phase.

I'm only planning to use the milk for cheese and soap.

Thanks for any input.

 

[HorseFeathers]

Quote:
1. We are yet to get goats, but we have heard nothing but good about Alpines, Nubians, and La Manchas.
2. I asked this question too. Usually, yes, but it really depends on the horse and the goat.

 

[helmstead]

I can't comment on the larger breeds to much extent other than to say I haven't met a Nubian I didn't love yet

.

 

[mtnhomechick]

I was interested in a goat also. How much land does a person need for a goat?

Anyone have a pic of a nubian?

 

[greyfields]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=99913

 

[MrsCountryChick]

We too have been researching the Dairy Goat Breeds. We're looking to get Saanens, both for their tendancy to be quieter, calmer & give more milk. But everyone has their favorites & will recommend the breed they particularly prefer. Here's website links to the Dairy Goat Breeds, with photos of each breed:

http://users.frii.com/dawog/Goats/DairyGoatFactBook.htm

http://www.goats4h.com/DairyGoats.html

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/DS134

Here's a Great Website with a Wealth of Info on Dairy Goats:

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/

Here's their info & instructions for a milking stand used for both milking & hoof trimming, medicine care, etc. We plan on Building one for use this spring.

http://fiascofarm.com/goats/milkstand.html

MissPrissy (BYC ....(Queen Expert of Goats nearly).....both in care of them & recipe making, recommended to read the book: "Story's guide to raising dairy goats." It can be found at Tractor Supply for less than $20.00

http://www.tractorsupply.com/webapp...0551_10001_111008_-1______?rFlag=true&cFlag=1

Good Luck on Picking your breed

 

[greyfields]

I 2nd getting hold of that book. All the Storey's guides are accurate and should be anyone's first step before acquiring livestock.

 

[Jenlyn9483]

My moma raised Nubians when i was growing up for few yrs, they were pretty cool we had an accassional LaMancha and now i have ND and MiniMancha and an Oberhaslis. I would say ND are the COOLEST EVER for a mini goat,which i prefer because i dont have a huge pasture or anything. In my experience LaManchas are super sweet and inquisitive little creatures. They are great milkers too.

 

[luvzmybabz]

I am posting a pic of my very fav of my nubians. She is just about 8 1/2 months old. She does not have perfect conformation but she is going to be a family milk goat so I am not too worried about that. But she is so super sweet most of the time.

 

[PineBurrowPeeps]

Yes, I ADORE the Storey books and already own the goat one, as well as a bunch of others. I just liked them and had extra money when we first got the farm so I decided to get all the ones Tractor Supply had, as well as a few Country Skill books.


I think I'm going to go with Alpines. As far as looks go, they're markings are really attractive to me and they are the size I'm looking for.

Now, something I haven't come across is the mention of whether goats are fine in hilly terrain? I'm thinking they won't have a problem with their agility and hooves.

I have a pen already set up and I *suspect* that some prior person kept a goat or two in it, but it's pretty uneven, has a downed tree in middle part that has been there forever and is pretty soft, and has some boulders here and there. It's good sized. About the same as my horse paddock which is 100' X 100'.

In the experience of you goat keepers, do they prefer being shut into a stall type arangment at night or having a three sided run-in shed deal in their pen?

Thanks!