Lets talk about goats!

[LightningTFarm]

I am doing a lot of research on goats, as at some point I would love to have dairy goats (at least one with a wether pal). I would like to know if there are any breeds of dairy goat that are naturally polled? I don't know where i would find somebody to teach me how to burn off the horns, and from what i have read here and elsewhere apparently vets are (a) very expensive for this, and (b) usually don't know how to do it properly. I would rather have a small to medium-sized goat that would be easier to handle by myself (as a woman who will be older by then).

Thanks for your help!

 

[littlekatzz]

My friend has some polled Nigerians ..

 

[cassie]

I am doing a lot of research on goats, as at some point I would love to have dairy goats (at least one with a wether pal). I would like to know if there are any breeds of dairy goat that are naturally polled? I don't know where i would find somebody to teach me how to burn off the horns, and from what i have read here and elsewhere apparently vets are (a) very expensive for this, and (b) usually don't know how to do it properly. I would rather have a small to medium-sized goat that would be easier to handle by myself (as a woman who will be older by then).

Thanks for your help!

No there is no breed of goats that are naturally polled although there are individuals in each breed that are. I read somewhere that when Toggenburgs were first imported, they were required to be polled in order to be registered. That requirement was dropped when it was discovered that females homozygous for polled are very often hermaphrodites.

 

[LightningTFarm]

No there is no breed of goats that are naturally polled although there are individuals in each breed that are. I read somewhere that when Toggenburgs were first imported, they were required to be polled in order to be registered. That requirement was dropped when it was discovered that females homozygous for polled are very often hermaphrodites.

I was hoping you would be the one to answer my query. Hmmm. I guess I would have to learn how to burn them myself then. It just sounds a bit horrible, burning the heads of newborn goats. I bet it smells delightful! Well, if everybody else can learn how to do it, I can. I would want to do it properly, though. Do you think that reading and researching it would be sufficient, or will I need to find somebody to watch? I would really prefer the latter.

 

[cassie]

I have two suggestions. Go to adga.org. That is the website for the American Dairy Goat Association. Ask them if they will send you a list of breeders near you. I am sure you can find someone to help you. Also, go to caprinesupply.com. They should have some information in their catalog that would be helpful. You can also make a disbudding box. You stick the kid in it and only the head sticks out. You sit on the box and disbud the kid. Takes just a few seconds and the kid will forget all about it almost at once.

 

[LightningTFarm]

I saw a picture of a disbudding box on another website devoted to goats. At least I figured that's what it was. It didn't look too hard to put together, and I have good carpentry skills. I would get some goats right now except I have to travel sometimes for my work, and my daughter likes to come with me. She would not want to be left behind in order to milk a goat or two. And, I have enough trouble finding somebody to stay at the house and take care of the dogs and ducks. So, I figure I'll have to wait till I retire, or at least get closer to it. That totally bums me out!!

 

[Stacykins]

I am doing a lot of research on goats, as at some point I would love to have dairy goats (at least one with a wether pal). I would like to know if there are any breeds of dairy goat that are naturally polled? I don't know where i would find somebody to teach me how to burn off the horns, and from what i have read here and elsewhere apparently vets are (a) very expensive for this, and (b) usually don't know how to do it properly. I would rather have a small to medium-sized goat that would be easier to handle by myself (as a woman who will be older by then).

Thanks for your help!

Even if there aren't any 100% polled breeds, you can still buy polled goats if you are interested in them. Nigerian Dwarves are often polled. The ADGA, as mentioned, keeps track of that!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

I saw a picture of a disbudding box on another website devoted to goats. At least I figured that's what it was. It didn't look too hard to put together, and I have good carpentry skills. I would get some goats right now except I have to travel sometimes for my work, and my daughter likes to come with me. She would not want to be left behind in order to milk a goat or two. And, I have enough trouble finding somebody to stay at the house and take care of the dogs and ducks. So, I figure I'll have to wait till I retire, or at least get closer to it. That totally bums me out!!

Aww, that's to bad.

 

[LightningTFarm]

Aww, that's to bad.

I know. Every time we go to TSC and I start looking at goat books or magazines she takes them out of my hand and says "No goats now!". She's 22 and wants to get to travel with me, not stay home and milk goats. Bummer!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Quote: She would choose travelling over goats?

If I got goats I'd skip almost anything!
But that's just me, lol