Lets talk about goats!

[Reurra]

I have a 12x16 garage that has 9 feet portioned off for my chickens. The remaining 11x12 probably could house 2 goats comfortably. The winters here are harsh and can drop down into the -30C range. Im concerned for the health of the animals. The barn has no electricity and no running water. I have to bring the chickens water in the morning and evening. So i would need to do the same for the goats.

 

[Happy Camper]

I want some goats, but its taking a lot of convincing for my husband.  I need to learn more form people who actually have them.  Some websites are informative, but they dont cover the real questions, like, are they really fun or just a chore?

Do you have to process the milk, or can it be consumed straight from the bucket?

How much do they really eat?

Do they need special hoof care?

Do they need special suppliments?

Do they really eat everything?

Are they smart enough not to eat poison plants?

What sort of care do they need?  

Are they lots of work like a horse?  

Are they smelly like rabbits?  

Are they mean?  

Are you planning to breed, is that what the buck is for?

Do you plan to eat the offspring?

Im going to be watching this thread!  I want to learn all i can!

What is a good breed for a new goat herder?

What sort of space requirements do they have?

We welcomed our first kid three weeks ago and started milking mom for household and it has been awesome. Our doe has been a diva about her mommy business and we had to take care of the baby... but it has been way easier than we thought. Never as bard as taking care of a puppy or kitten...
She has been giving lots of milk... even enough for us to make ice cream and frozen yougurt!
We pasteurize the milk which is a very simple process and gives us peace of mind. Our kids liked the taste right away and don't want to go back to cow's milk.
I really like it, but can't have it with my cereal... I find it too sweet with cereal for some reason. However coffee tastes much better with goat's milk in my opinion.

 

[Happy Camper]

Some answers:
- they can be mean or not
- they are picky eaters and will avoid most poisonous stuff
- in my opinion they are smellier than rabbits (btw, my rabbits don't smell )
... mine get a regular bath... YES I BATHE MY GOATS
-they do eat constantly... but providing food (hay mainly) is easy
- they wont eat everything, but like chewing on stuff

Hope this helps

 

[SA Farm]

Goaties are awesome

End of story.
My Pygmy Nigerian affectionately known as a "pygerian"

 

[Cknldy]

I wanted a milk cow but knew we would end up with too much milk for our family. Researching brought me to goats. Horns= memories of being butted but also of goat tying and the kid my stepmother let me keep in my room for a while Finally convinced dh cuz he wanted a 'brush' goat. I bought a 1 year old lamancha/pygmy mix, vet checked and ready to go. Question on the minerals- a loose powder specifically sold for goats? I do all the feed shopping at tractor supply but when I looked at the goat "mineral block" it looked like compressed feed. The hay should be good quality but I don't think anyone around here sells green alfalfa/clover hay- it could get expensive buying compressed small bales at ts!

 

[Stacykins]

I wanted a milk cow but knew we would end up with too much milk for our family. Researching brought me to goats. Horns= memories of being butted but also of goat tying and the kid my stepmother let me keep in my room for a while Finally convinced dh cuz he wanted a 'brush' goat. I bought a 1 year old lamancha/pygmy mix, vet checked and ready to go. Question on the minerals- a loose powder specifically sold for goats? I do all the feed shopping at tractor supply but when I looked at the goat "mineral block" it looked like compressed feed. The hay should be good quality but I don't think anyone around here sells green alfalfa/clover hay- it could get expensive buying compressed small bales at ts!

You really ought to buy a second goat. Goats are herd animals and suffer if kept alone. A stressed goat is more susceptible to disease.

Tractor Supply stocks manna pro loose goat mineral. It is in the goat section, and the bag is orange.

I personally feed my crew a grass hay or timothy hay, and they devour it with gusto. They get grain to make up for the lower protein content. Growing kids and lactacting does get the most grain, non lactacting adults get less. As long as the hay is clean, dry (not rained on or moldy), then it is OK. Alfalfa is great for a milking doe because of the high calcium content. But if you can't get it without breaking the bank, don't fret. Those alfalfa bales at TS are ridiculously expensive. I had to buy one once, I was completely out of hay (since most of my square bales got wet and rotted) and in desperation, bought a TS bale. Thankfully, afterwards I found a horseman who was willing to sell me enough hay for me to make it through the winter.

 

[Cknldy]

Stacykins- that's what I kept telling dh when I said I wanted goats A chick-customer-turned-friend was looking to buy goats and was 'forced' into a deal: she wanted to buy the nubian the guy had but he'd only sell it to her if she got the lamancha/pygmy cross too. She didn't want the other and offered her to me. Whereas she has a horse for the herd aspect, I do not. Lamancha, as we call her, loves us being around her and bleats when we walk by if we aren't stopping. I was already asking for a friend for her but don't think dh understands yet. Btw- thanks for info on the minerals.

 

[aoxa]

I have two goats. Alice - Nubian, and Marvin, mostly Nubian
















They are a pain in the butt on a good day haha

Love them though.

Getting two more milking does shortly.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

I have two goats. Alice - Nubian, and Marvin, mostly Nubian
















They are a pain in the butt on a good day haha

Love them though.

Getting two more milking does shortly.

Haha! Your goats are beautiful! Post pictures of your new does once you get them!

 

[hunt]

I am getting two nubian buck goats in about three months