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

[college town chick]

goats definately need company -- they prefer other goats, but if they don't have a goaty pal, then anything else is certainly welcome (I'd watch it with dogs and the mini goats -- too easy to have an unfortunate accident).

I've got 4 Nigerian/Pygmy crosses and they are very, very cute. They weren't messed with when they were younger, so it's been time consuming to get them more tame, but they're about 6 mos. old and starting to become friendly (being the bearers of food helps!). 2 are very in your face, and our favorite, Buttons, is just the sweetest thing; the other 2 are a bit standoffish, with one being a bit of a pill. I think it depends upon the individual goat's personality.

I really haven't met any breed of goat that can't be a good pet -- they really are such characters and very individual (kinda like people), but the Nigerians and Pygmies are really nice -- their size is perfect for a pet goat. I agree that if you just want a pet then a wether is the way to go (hormonal situations are taken care of and the price for a wether will be less -- plus the boys need a home too!) -- if you can, get one that has been de-budded and you're all set.

I've got some contacts with some other goat raisers, and will hopefully be breeding mine (mine are all girls) to either a Pygmy/mini Fainting Goat cross or a pure Mini Nubian this fall. I'm tending to favor the mini Nubian, because I want to get more dairy characteristic, the size would be better for my girls, and I'd like to get floppier ears because those ears are so darn cute.

 

[griffin45]

I used to think that goats needed to be with goats, but our farm has proved me wrong. We have several young Boers that have adopted our Holstein steer. They eat and sleep together. I can't move the steer without taking his girls with him. They are all in the barnyard with 20 other goats most of the time and the Boers just want to hang with their big black and white protector.

Chris

 

[pipermark]

first, the way the goat acts will be related to how it was treated from birth. I just sold 2 wethers that were not bottle fed but loved to be picked up and handled. I knew I was going to have to sell them, so I spent time with them from the day they were born.

Second thing wanted to share, please listen to these people who are telling you to get 2. I purchased my first goat by itself and it was miserable, frighten, and wouldn't leave its shelter. I came on line and listen to the people that said , oh no , get another goat! I got a little pygmy wether, about the same age, the minute I let him into the pen, cupid came running out and in no time they were both acting normal.

They really do need the company of another goat.