What do we need to raise dairy goats?

[Stacykins]

Do you think we'd be able to sell the kids to a dairy farm with the condition that they not be killed or sold for meat?

Nope. Sale contracts like that are often just a bunch of hot air and don't hold up when actually put to the test. The moment the money changes hands, that goat becomes their property. They can do whatever they want. Those contracts are mostly just used to try and scare buyers into following what the contract says, because they don't know it is pretty much a useless piece of paper. They are just not legally valid, unless you actually had a lawyer who knew your state laws well enough to create a legally binding contract. And even if the contract was legally enforceable, it would cost you a lot to take the buyer to court.

It is like selling a car to someone, and adding in a clause that they can never drive it to Nevada. That car becomes their property once they possess the title. If they break that clause and you find out about it...you can't do anything.

You can try to screen out the buyers you think might butcher the kids. But this is no guarantee.

I hate to sound so blunt. But the reality out there is there are far more male goats out there than homes for those goats, because the world is not all happiness, rainbows, and endless pastures. They don't produce anything useful like a doe, and a herd only needs a small number of intact males to service many does. So just like all other livestock, the excess males are butchered.

 

[danisgoat]

Go to the Caprine Supply web site. They offer a variety of books for everyone from a novice to an experienced goat keeper.

I second this! I have used Caprine Supply for over thirty years! Great resource.

In regards to milk, we get ours from a local farm.

 

[V-NH]

Yah, I doubt you will be able to find a home for most of your kids if you're not open to them being turned into food. I raise goats at home for milk with the understanding that I will have to butcher the kids and eat them in order to keep my herd at a sustainable size. There are farms around here that sell newborn bucklings for $10 and excess doelings for $25 simply because no one will take them. Most of those babies go on to become someone's dinner. I totally respect that you are vegetarians. I spent a year in college as a vegetarian, but now I raise 100% of my own meat at home. The reality of the livestock game is that extra animals become food. The only way you can avoid that is if you buy a massive farm and somehow have the money to keep and raise all of your excess kids for eternity.

 

[abbymckinn]

Nigerian dwarfs are great goats. We have two and they are super sweet, one likes to climb in my lap like a dog! The only problem with only one doe is when you re-breed your doe for milk, there is going to be atleast two months when y'all won't have milk. As for selling the kids, see if maybe there is anyone who has a lonely farm animal (horse, cow, other goats etc..) and they would probably want a wether to keep them company! Sometimes horse race tracks want goats to keep the horses calm before races. Or sell them for a little extra money, so you know they are going to a good home. Another plus if you get a smaller breed such as the ND, not many people will buy one for meat, since they are smaller. And if you only have a 1/2 acre it would be nice to et smaller goats - who eat less! Sorry for the rambling, but I hope I helped!

 

[FDaniels]

You helped tremendously We were thinking of just going against our idea of getting goats but I think with a little extra planning we can make it work. Thanks so much! And I love what I've read about ND goats

 

[abbymckinn]

We were kind if nervous about getting goats, once we got them, we really wished we would have gotten them sooner!! They are so much fun! If you really don't need much I have read that with a goat that ones less like a ND you can milk once a day if need be, but you won't get as much milk.

 

[FDaniels]

Should we get 2 kids to start off with or 2 older? We've been leaning towards a wether & a doe--should we get a freshened or bred? How high should the pen be? What's an affordable & spacious goat house?

 

[abbymckinn]

Idk, really depends on what you want. If you want milk now, buy one thats freshend, or if ypur going slow get a kid and raise it. I got one bottle baby, and two does. One already in milk and one bred (which gae birth feb 6! And we LOVE the babies, but are giving them to a family friend) the fence should probably be around 4-5 feet, nothing near it do they can't jump out and nothing can jump in. They are surprisingly athletic!! And I want to say that I read somewhere 3-5 square feet, depending on how big your goats are. And THTS for an indoor shelter, make sure it has no drafts and they can stay completely dry! Wet goats = sick, unhappy goats. The goats would love if if you build it so they can get on top of it too, they love to climb!!

 

[FDaniels]

Thanks!! We're working on building ourselves a cob house (have you heard of this?) and I think we're going to go cob for the goats as well & build them a cob house & pen as high as we can make it. I think to start off with we'll get a doe in milk & a wether and then just go from there. I appreciate all your help!!

 

[abbymckinn]

No problem! If you have any other questions feel free to PM me, have fun getting your goats! Your gonna love them!