Thinking of buying a goat.

[My Six Chicks]

Hi, I live in Ipswich Ma.
we have 9 chickens and are almost done connecting their "vacation run," a really the cool naturey run connected by a tunnel, my birds should love it.
Anyway, I am thinking of getting a few goats. I am very responsible with pets and would possibly convert the shed or build a new coop for them. It would be very clean and comfortable, we have bought a book on goats. (very newbie thing to do) I have read that goats need anywhere from 10 sq. ft. to 50 sq. ft, but am not sure what is right. I am wondering, from a current goat owner, If I have enough room to have 2-4 goats in my backyard. It has about 1000 sq. ft. that their "goat coop" and run could be build on. They could have more room to graze or be walked

but that is about how much could be their main home. What are the maintenance and breeds I should get, and what are they different genders of goats will behave like (Doe, Buck, Weather.) I would preferably want a meat goat(s) and am wondering if males/females can both be eaten. (Such as roosters don't taste very good) I am very new at this and any information is helpful. Thanks!

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

10 square feet is about what you need inside there shelter for full sized goats, unless they will be locked up all the time. I think 1000 square feet could house 4 to 6 very happy goats, especially if they are taken on walks or are allowed to graze. you could have even more mini's. Are you wanting just meat goats, or milk goats as well? If you are planning on breeding, make sure you have room for babies. it is common for goats to have twins and triplets.

For breed, there are a lot of goat breeds. If you are wanting solely a meat breed, Boers and Kikos are my favorites. Boers require more maintenance, and a kiko is more able to care for themselves, and LOVE to browse. Kikos can get almost all there food from the woods. You can most likely tell how much i like kiko's

If you are looking for milk, a Saanan will give you the most milk, but it is not very sweet. A nubian is another breed does not give the 1-2 gallons (a really good milker) per day of a Saanan, but they have sweet creamy milk that tastes almost identical to cows milk. There are also mini breeds. A pygmy or kinder would be a good mini meat goat, and a nigerian dwarf would be great for milk (they give a pretty good about, and only need half as much room and food as a full sized goat).

Each goat is different, and all no matter what the gender, will have a different personality. Bucks can tend to be more obnoxious, and when in rut, have been know to try to mate with female caretakers. They can be a little dangerous if not trained, and depending on the breed. wethers and Does are about the same. But, again, you can have a devil doe, and the sweetest buck in the world, it all depends on the individual.

Males and females can be eaten, though boys that you plan to eat, should be wethered. I have no proof, but have heard that the meat can taste off because of the boy's strong scent gland. Also, don't house boys and milking does together, or you milk will taste very goaty from the strong buck smell. Boys will be bigger than girls, but a wether and doe will not differ in taste IMHO.

Well, good luck!!

 

[My Six Chicks]

I would probably just want meat goats because I may not be able to milk them 2 times a day. I would also just get a small goat, Such as a pygmy or a kinder ( Have never heard of a kinder) I would have to breed and have kids since they would be for meat. Thank you for all the useful information. Since it snows, what should I do for the winter in the design of the goat shelter.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

ok, well, you could totally have around 10 goats if they are mini's (including the babies). a kinder is cross between a pygmy and a nubian. They are a great dual purpose breed. They are also a little bigger than a pygmy, but not much. I think they are stockier too, but you would have too look that up

Goats are pretty tough, but they hate getting wet. You will have to research shed designs, because each place/situation is different.

 

[My Six Chicks]

Thank you so much! Does anyone know where I can get a Goat in Massachusetts/New Hampshire/Maine?

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

your welcome

If you are looking for a certain breed, you can google pygmy goat breeders (or another breed) in wherever you are and something may come up. you can also search your local craigslist ads.