Is there a particular breed of goat that makes a nice pet?

[imtc]

I just got a Nigerian Dwarf goat in mid March...she was about 6wks old at the time and still bottle fed (mom died during birth) and she is the sweetest thing. Very small though and not floppy ears. Full grown in her breed are only supposed to reach 17-19 inches (barely knee high to me). She is very playful and social. I take her for walks on my property and she follows closely like a dog and just VERY friendly.

 

[FrizzleFreak]

You'll need to feed probably at least every 6 hours-drat, I can't remember how much per feeding, but I'm sure it's in Storey's guide, and it's also on the goat milk replacer. Good luck! I'll try and get the answers for you tomorrow.
<going to bed now>

 

[zatsdeb]

I have boer/saanan mix, and they have floppy ears, at 11 weeks, you will only have to bottle feed a few times during the day, they should be eating a little feed and nibbling on grass and hay by now.
dehorned it the way to go also..

 

[taraann81]

Hi guys. Thanks for all the info. I'm sure I will get more when I go to the farm to pick up the baby. BUT I always like to be informed and get as much information as I can BEFORE I make a big decision like this.
Thanks again
Tara

 

[MissCluck]

I have a pygmy cross doe, her 1/2 Boer daughter, a Nigerian Pygmy wether and two La Mancha wethers.

They are all delightful goats with individual personalities. I LOVE my Isobelle, the boer cross. She has a confident and goofy personality. The LaMancha brothers are friendly little scamps - always getting into trouble. My little Nigi boy was not treated well so he is shy and doesn't like to be touched but he is playful and talks to me. My doe, Narcissa, is a good girl who loves to be held and scratched. She wasn't very friendly when I first got her but she has really blossomed.

 

[MissJames]

I keep reading that you shouldn't have just one goat.They are herd animals and need to be with at least one other goat.
Because of that info I got two.......which a month later is now six.It's a sickness.

 

[Carolina Chicken Man]

Like the last poster said, you shouldn't get just one goat, they are social herd animals.

I have read that for a pet, wethers are the best. When you fix them, there personalities are very docile and affectionate. If you are not planning on breeding, the does can be "distressed" when they are in heat. Some breeds come into heat seasonal, spring or fall. But some can breed year round, so they can be in heat every 3 weeks or so until they are bred

I found out about a website you should check out for info on goats.

Fias Co Farms.

It has a lot of good information, and is ran by a lady who raises goats.

I just put a deposit on 3 nigerian dwarf doe babies. I will be picking them up end of May. I'm working on their house now. Pictures to follow soon.

 

[IggiMom]

My personal fave is Nubian. And the babies are beyond cute.

 

[FrizzleFreak]

ON the doe vs. wether thing....It's not a huge issue. Actually, our girls have barely noticable heats, which is annoying when we're trying to breed. Maybe it's a Nubian thing? Oh yeah, I forgot to mention...Get 2!

 

[OCchickens]

Quote:
I've heard you can get a dog or even a duck to keep a goat company -- doesn't have to be another goat.