not sure if i should post this here or not, but my city only allows one pygmy goat as a pet any idea of how i could change this or make it work?
Lets talk about goats!
- Thread starter Mr MKK FARMS
- Start date
chix coop. Depending on how long you've had them in an area (2 months plus) they will not roam to far. On that note they will always roam probably in the direction you don't want into the road/ on your car. They always play on cars. They will stay closer if you keep one tethered or penned where you want them to stay. I got some to clean brush in the back by the creek. I Housed and feed them there. They stayed across the road in the front, until my GF's dog kept them in the back. It depends on the traffic in your area and how close the pen is to the road and your car. I lived on a dead end dirt road. Not a lot of traffic.
Well, if you could find others who wish for something different and get them together to sign a petition that could change the law. One goat wouldn't be all that happy anyways, so two or three would be better. The best way to convince those who make the laws to change them is to prove that the change would be for the better. Make sure they understand you would make sure your goats were secure, clean, and not bothering neighbors with smell or sound. People may also be bothered by buildings that aren't pleasing to the eye or lawns that have become muddy or over-grazed. Yes, neighbors can be very picky.
I hope this helps give you some ideas. Research all you can and give it a try. More people should be able to keep goats, no matter where they live. Best of luck!
AnimalsAreLife
Hatching
- May 25, 2016
- 2
- 1
- 9
I'm Also wondering a lot of these things. did u get any reply? What did u learn? Thanks.
chixcoop
Chirping
Questions are always good. Researching is one of the best things you can do before getting any animal.
Are they really fun or just a chore?
Yes, they're a ton of fun. But only if you enjoy that kind of animal, the kind that doesn't tend to want cuddles but is pushy, in your face, curious, sometimes noisy or messy, and really playful. Sometimes, on really hot or cold days, they can feel like a real chore, but they are worth it in the end.
Do you have to process the milk, or can it be consumed straight from the bucket?
So many people do it so many different ways. If you have your goat tested for diseases and know its milk is safe than once it is cool and if you know it is clean it should be very tasty. Warm milk or milk with hairs or dirt in it will likely just taste bad.
Processing milk (pasturizing it, ect) generally isn't too hard if you only have a couple milk goats. It takes a little time and a few tools, but all and all its similar to preparing any other food.
How much do they really eat?
This depends so much on their size and how much grass they have available, if they are pregnant, nursing, breeding, the weather, the individual, the breed... However, as with most ruminants, they eat a lot but most of what they eat is high in fiber, so its generally hay, browse, grass, ect.
Do they need special hoof care?
Unless an injury or disease should be affecting the hoof, most goats just need regular to semi-regular (depending on how rough the terrain is in their pen) hoof trimming. Trimmers can easily be found at your local farm supply store and are pretty easy to use once you learn how. Goats, however, will not always sit still (and sometimes scream like they are dying) during the procedure.
Do they need special suppliments?
Again, this depends. Many areas around America have been depleted in certain minerals and other nutrients, so offering a salt block or a mineral block can help make sure they are always having a balanced diet. Forage can also be supplemented with hay, grain, leaves, and some treats of bread or fruit. Ours also loved crackers.
Do they really eat everything?
Our goats sure didn't. They were picky as could be when it came to fruits, forage/browse, and even hay. However, goats do like to taste things like your clothes or hair, and our goats loved stealing the chicken food, cat food, and eating paper whenever they got the chance.
Are they smart enough not to eat poison plants?
That's hard to say. Most people suggest keeping them away from anything poisonous just to be safe, but many foraging animals will only eat small amounts of every thing around them, and so they tend not to eat enough of the toxins to get sick. This, however, is not true in all cases and it is better to be safe than sorry.
What sort of care do they need?
Protection from predators (generally by locking them up at night and letting them out in the morning), fresh water daily, hay, hoof trimming as needed, brushing during the spring shed (this isn't really necessary but helps them feel comfortable), milking twice a day (if a dairy doe), vaccinations and wormers as needed, grain supplements if offered (once or twice a day generally), health inspections, and dirty bedding removed and replaced with dry, fresh bedding. If you breed your does (for their milk or for the kids they offer) this will be far more work as you must watch for signs of a difficult birth and protect the mother and kid from infection, predators, injury, weather extremes, and any other such issues that may crop up.
Are they lots of work like a horse?
A large number of them or breeding does can be extra work, or if you plan to milk them the effort might be higher, but otherwise they are relatively easy for a farm animal. They don't need sheared (unless they are angoras), brushed daily, given shoes, have their teeth filed, walked like a dog or any of that. However, they do need a clean, dry environment, fresh water, good quality hay/grain/forage, and health inspections to watch for signs of trouble. Fences may also need repaired, hay bales moved, and if you enjoy packing with a goat, showing, ect, they will need trained to walk on a harness and lead, but this isn't generally too difficult if done from a young age.
Are they smelly like rabbits?
Um... I would say more so.
Yeah, our goats smelled stronger than probably any other pet we kept, even our ferrets. When our young buck/whether (he smelled like a buck) would rub up against us you would smell for the rest of the day, even after washing your hands. They are very oily. However, their droppings and urine aren't really too pungent if there is bedding to absorb it. A barn naturally smells, its just part of having farm animals, but it doesn't have to smell bad.
Are they mean?
Each goat is an individual. Bucks can be aggressive at times, goats are sometimes skittish, others were never taught not to butt at a person, but in my experience goats aren't usually mean. Again, being shy is far more likely. However, always watch for an individual who may be extra bossy and demand more attention, food, space, ect. And also remember a frightened or trapped goat is far more likely to hurt you in its attempt to escape, so try to train your goats to allow handling to avoid stressful struggles during medical or hoof care.
Do you plan to eat the offspring?
I didn't have the heart to, but ours were pets so that makes a difference. However, I hear goat meat is really healthy for you and raising kids for it is a great, cost effective way to get good quality meat.
What is a good breed for a new goat herder?
If you want to go with pure-bred (mixes are just as good, and often cheaper, but less consistent in production) then there aren't really that many breeds to choose from in America, at least compared to sheep, cattle and horses. Nigerian Dwarfs are a great start, as they are small, friendly, come in a ton of colors, and great dairy goats with good meat kids. La Manchas and Saanens are popular, calm standard sized goats. Boers, Spanish, and Kikos are probably equally good for raising as long as they come from a good breeder who selects only for healthy, sturdy individuals.
Starting with a pair or a small herd of 3-6 is far better than a large herd, no matter the breed. Getting to know goats as a whole, and the individuals, is very important.
What sort of space requirements do they have?
The more space the better as far as goat happiness, but really most don't need much space unless forage/browse is going to make up a large part of their diet. A forth an acre or so is a good sized pasture for a small herd if they are given supplements. Smaller also works, particularly for smaller breeds. A shed can be used as a shelter for a pair of dairy goats quite easily.
Again, there is so many opinions out there its important to research a lot. Make what works, but try to go for bigger over smaller, as most people find themselves wishing hey had planned for more room to begin with.
I'm not an expert on goats, but I do love them, and have some personal experience, so I hope this helps anyone interested in knowing.
Are they really fun or just a chore?
Yes, they're a ton of fun. But only if you enjoy that kind of animal, the kind that doesn't tend to want cuddles but is pushy, in your face, curious, sometimes noisy or messy, and really playful. Sometimes, on really hot or cold days, they can feel like a real chore, but they are worth it in the end.
Do you have to process the milk, or can it be consumed straight from the bucket?
So many people do it so many different ways. If you have your goat tested for diseases and know its milk is safe than once it is cool and if you know it is clean it should be very tasty. Warm milk or milk with hairs or dirt in it will likely just taste bad.
Processing milk (pasturizing it, ect) generally isn't too hard if you only have a couple milk goats. It takes a little time and a few tools, but all and all its similar to preparing any other food.
How much do they really eat?
This depends so much on their size and how much grass they have available, if they are pregnant, nursing, breeding, the weather, the individual, the breed... However, as with most ruminants, they eat a lot but most of what they eat is high in fiber, so its generally hay, browse, grass, ect.
Do they need special hoof care?
Unless an injury or disease should be affecting the hoof, most goats just need regular to semi-regular (depending on how rough the terrain is in their pen) hoof trimming. Trimmers can easily be found at your local farm supply store and are pretty easy to use once you learn how. Goats, however, will not always sit still (and sometimes scream like they are dying) during the procedure.
Do they need special suppliments?
Again, this depends. Many areas around America have been depleted in certain minerals and other nutrients, so offering a salt block or a mineral block can help make sure they are always having a balanced diet. Forage can also be supplemented with hay, grain, leaves, and some treats of bread or fruit. Ours also loved crackers.
Do they really eat everything?
Our goats sure didn't. They were picky as could be when it came to fruits, forage/browse, and even hay. However, goats do like to taste things like your clothes or hair, and our goats loved stealing the chicken food, cat food, and eating paper whenever they got the chance.
Are they smart enough not to eat poison plants?
That's hard to say. Most people suggest keeping them away from anything poisonous just to be safe, but many foraging animals will only eat small amounts of every thing around them, and so they tend not to eat enough of the toxins to get sick. This, however, is not true in all cases and it is better to be safe than sorry.
What sort of care do they need?
Protection from predators (generally by locking them up at night and letting them out in the morning), fresh water daily, hay, hoof trimming as needed, brushing during the spring shed (this isn't really necessary but helps them feel comfortable), milking twice a day (if a dairy doe), vaccinations and wormers as needed, grain supplements if offered (once or twice a day generally), health inspections, and dirty bedding removed and replaced with dry, fresh bedding. If you breed your does (for their milk or for the kids they offer) this will be far more work as you must watch for signs of a difficult birth and protect the mother and kid from infection, predators, injury, weather extremes, and any other such issues that may crop up.
Are they lots of work like a horse?
A large number of them or breeding does can be extra work, or if you plan to milk them the effort might be higher, but otherwise they are relatively easy for a farm animal. They don't need sheared (unless they are angoras), brushed daily, given shoes, have their teeth filed, walked like a dog or any of that. However, they do need a clean, dry environment, fresh water, good quality hay/grain/forage, and health inspections to watch for signs of trouble. Fences may also need repaired, hay bales moved, and if you enjoy packing with a goat, showing, ect, they will need trained to walk on a harness and lead, but this isn't generally too difficult if done from a young age.
Are they smelly like rabbits?
Um... I would say more so.
Are they mean?
Each goat is an individual. Bucks can be aggressive at times, goats are sometimes skittish, others were never taught not to butt at a person, but in my experience goats aren't usually mean. Again, being shy is far more likely. However, always watch for an individual who may be extra bossy and demand more attention, food, space, ect. And also remember a frightened or trapped goat is far more likely to hurt you in its attempt to escape, so try to train your goats to allow handling to avoid stressful struggles during medical or hoof care.
Do you plan to eat the offspring?
I didn't have the heart to, but ours were pets so that makes a difference. However, I hear goat meat is really healthy for you and raising kids for it is a great, cost effective way to get good quality meat.
What is a good breed for a new goat herder?
If you want to go with pure-bred (mixes are just as good, and often cheaper, but less consistent in production) then there aren't really that many breeds to choose from in America, at least compared to sheep, cattle and horses. Nigerian Dwarfs are a great start, as they are small, friendly, come in a ton of colors, and great dairy goats with good meat kids. La Manchas and Saanens are popular, calm standard sized goats. Boers, Spanish, and Kikos are probably equally good for raising as long as they come from a good breeder who selects only for healthy, sturdy individuals.
Starting with a pair or a small herd of 3-6 is far better than a large herd, no matter the breed. Getting to know goats as a whole, and the individuals, is very important.
What sort of space requirements do they have?
The more space the better as far as goat happiness, but really most don't need much space unless forage/browse is going to make up a large part of their diet. A forth an acre or so is a good sized pasture for a small herd if they are given supplements. Smaller also works, particularly for smaller breeds. A shed can be used as a shelter for a pair of dairy goats quite easily.
Again, there is so many opinions out there its important to research a lot. Make what works, but try to go for bigger over smaller, as most people find themselves wishing hey had planned for more room to begin with.
I'm not an expert on goats, but I do love them, and have some personal experience, so I hope this helps anyone interested in knowing.
HnkyDnkyZZFarm
Chirping
TEH CUTENESS!
JUMP!
HnkyDnkyZZFarm
Chirping
and one more... boo bear!
we have 4 goats .
2 San Clemente Island Goats ( doe and Wether )
oberhasli ( wether )
nubian ( wether )
may look into breeding these San Clemente's down the road
they hang out with Hannah the Akbash
2 San Clemente Island Goats ( doe and Wether )
oberhasli ( wether )
nubian ( wether )
may look into breeding these San Clemente's down the road
they hang out with Hannah the Akbash
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