Thinking of getting goats!!!! need advice

[Chicken.Lytle]

Advice? Have your head examined.

I think you will find goats to be a lot of fun. I researched goats, but decided it was not practical for me. Small herds tend not to be profitable. One miniature goat produces more milk than I can use. I do not want to sell my animals for slaughter once I get to know them.

You might be able to get one goat that stays with the chickens. Otherwise get at least two. If you want milk, buy one who is already producing. If you want meat, get a wether. Stay away from bucks. They make roosters look like gentle nightingales.

 

[ChickLover98]

Goats are great... But Butt-Headed!

 

[Kitt]

I second the poster that said don't buy at an auction. You can look up goat breeders but they show and their kids will run a lot more. For non show goats that are still great, you could call your local 4-H and they can recommend a good breeder.

And as everyone said...good fencing. That is a must. Goats will decide the browse on the other side of the fence is always better than what they have. And they will climb. Or rather, some will. Another poster said that all bucks are not mean and they are right. I should have stated that. Goats can be a lot of work but they are fun as well. I used to raise them but now have only a few as pets and brush mowers.

 

[elevan]

Goats have their own "multiplier" math just like chickens. So watch out or you might become over run with them!

 

[Skye_k23]

Thank you all for the great advice. I am still thinking about them. I thought about chickens for 3 years before it happened lol. So you never know when a goat might happen. Thank you again.

 

[arabianequine]

I don't know about the auction business. I bought four goats a month ago from 2 different sellers and all the goats were not well cared for and had issues. You can see some of my goat threads on here. Really I think it is about doing your research and educate yourself a lot first before buying, don't buy the first goat you see.

Same with the auctions don't buy your first several times going unless you know what your doing. Just watch and learn it is still fun.


Oh and I must ad my Saanen buck is the friendliest and sweetest ever. He gets tree leaves and weeds all the time cause I can catch him by myself. The good things he gets for being such a good boy.

 

[carolinagirl58]

I agree with not buying from an auction. Years ago (before we knew any better) we were in full speed goat buying mode. We went to the auctions and bought up whatever looked decent. We were up to nearly 100 goats before we knew it! And then we bought a goat that had pink eye, which we later learned is very contagious. We had to catch and treat each one of those goats twice a day for a week or so. Ever try to put drops in 100 goat's eyes twice a day? Not an experience I ever hope to repeat. From now on, I'd gladly pay more and buy from a reputable farmer.

 

[elevan]

Quote:
You can buy from sale barns if you have the proper set up at home to quarantine. You need to quarantine the goat for 30 days and not let it have any contact with your herd. Use strict biosecurity measures when entering or leaving their pen too.

Quite frankly the same measures should be taken when you bring any new goat home (from anywhere) and have an existing herd. Not always possible, I know.

 

[carolinagirl58]

Quote:
You can buy from sale barns if you have the proper set up at home to quarantine. You need to quarantine the goat for 30 days and not let it have any contact with your herd. Use strict biosecurity measures when entering or leaving their pen too.

Quite frankly the same measures should be taken when you bring any new goat home (from anywhere) and have an existing herd. Not always possible, I know.

yeah, I know these things now. I learned them the hard way.

I do quarantine new animals now but would still rather buy from a farmer so I can see how the animals are kept. Things like hoof rot is easy to pick up at sale barns and REALLY hard to eradicate once you bring it home. It's easier to just not bring it home in the first place.

 

[Chikn-Chik]

I have a Kiko goat, but he's a william lol (he's fixed) he thinks my horse is his 'mama' and never let's her out of his sight! He has never gotten out of the fence, and will stand in his hind legs at you but has never hurt anyone! I've had him for about 9 yrs now, he's a baby!