New Goat Owner 101 Questions

Yes, CAE is one reason to separate after birth.

welcome Lynn, enjoying all your info. wish my kids could have such school opportunities...

TF- They can if you can get a teacher in ther school with some imagination and creativity get going and apply for the grant $$$$$ that is actually out there. Even if they don't have imagination- I think I still have the original grant proposal around somewheres- They just have to have initiative (and a cooperative administration!). This isn't the only thing like this I created, nor the only grant I won. If someone is truly interested all they have to do is ask me for help. Our kids need teachers to be creative, not babysitters.

Lynn

Thank you, Lynn. I wish all teachers could be like you!!! (Nothing negative meant for other teachers, I just know the system is sometimes very difficult to deal with.)

Almost forgot why I dropped in on this thread this morning...

One boy and one girl (more white markings) born just before 7:00am.

congratz, very very cute.

Oh Jasmerr, they are so adorable - just wanna reach out and hug 'em!

Congrats to you and Mama goat!

And a good Mama too. One already perky and one still gettin' the wash! Bet that busy girl is ready for a rest

Here's one to show their size (I have small hands)...

My cell phone is laying in the hay...

Oh my gosh, they are like tiny puppies almost. Wow, I want one now!

jasmerr are they feeding well?

MollyD

Yes they are. I was a little worried about the female at first, but she seems to be doing well.

Excellent! Congratulations on your twins!

MollyD

Woohoo!!!!

JASMERR,

they are so ADORABLE! I want one! Think I could hid it in my coop? ;~)

Definitely!

Grownut, thank you for directing me to this site.
O.k. I have lots of reading to do in a short time. will be back with lots of questions. Any recomendations on a breed of dairy goat would be helpfull.

If I had gone with a full-sized goat, I would have gotten a LaMancha. But remember, I'm not anywhere close to being a novice goat person! ☺

fereal look around your area and see what is popular
that will be the easiest for you to get

mollyd

I am going to look (not buy) tomorrow. Found several breeders in my area. Feel like little kid waiting for chrismas. Im sure Im nuts.

LOL when we went 'looking' first time we didn't buy cause we hated the conditions we came across. Second place was so good we did buy and have bought more from him since.
Everytime I visit I find more goats of his I want. He's got a couple of percentage doelings I want to buy off him for my twin boys. They couldn't be bred for about a year but they're so pretty! One has a black head and her sister has a chestnut brown head with a dark streak to one side. They're not pure Boer but it won't matter cause their kids are for the meat market.

MollyD

MollyD, How many goats do you keep? Are they for your own use? Do you share or barter? What food stuff do they supply you with?
I am trying to make thoughtfull decisions, I like to provide my animals with lifetime homes. I must be sure the breed I choose will meet my needs.
Have not found any info on butter. Is butter fat from goat milk not suited for butter?
Thanks Seth

Seth we've got 9 and may be getting a tenth soon (shhh don't tell Paul). Ours are meat goats so we raise them to sell for meat. And to eat. Not sure what you mean by 'share or barter' ?
We'll be breeding our three oldest does this fall so no idea how many we'll have by next spring since Boers can have up to 4 kids at a time though twins are more usual.

MollyD

MollyD,
Im a vegitarian (and a big sissy) so wouldn't need more than the two i'm planning on. That's alot of goats.
Around here if someone has more eggs than they can use(like me) and a nieghbor has say, more avocadoes than they can use, we just trade them. Thats bartering.

Ah I see now what you mean.

No we don't trade the goats since we're in it to make a profit. We will be selling our excess to a company that pays by the pound. They're intended for the meat market just like cows, sheep, etc.
Do keep in mind that if you want milk your does will need to be bred and you will have to do something with those kids or your 'herd' will grow. Have you given any thought to how you are going to deal with that part of it? Something you may want to resolve before getting the does.

If you only want pets you might consider getting two wethers. No mess, no fuss, no milking, no kids. Just food for thought.

MollyD


This message was edited Sep 25, 2008 11:48 AM

Thanks MollyD
Yes good point, I have been wanting and thinking trying to persuade( begging, groveling) for 25 years! Food is the thought, Sweets has always said it's too much trouble to keep dairy goats. Now with the cost of milk in california over five dollars a gallon she has relented.
All of the breeders I visited yesterday have agreed to breed my doe's every year, if I sell kid's back to them at $75.00 each. thats about one third market price. I dont mind becouse as far as they are aware, thier dairy goats are only sold for milk, pets and 4-H projects. Two of these breeders are willing to sell me top quality doe's. Their intention is to get fine quality offspring.
Thanks again comments are more than welcome I like the input.
Seth

Im overwhelmed, My choices are. French Alpine, La Mancha, Nigerian(little goats), Oberhasli, Saanen(lovely color), Toggenberg.
All according to breeders have excelent dispositions, produce vast quantity of milk, are easy keepers, have high imunity to illness, and are the best breed of dairy goat ever!
Does anyone have any experiance with just one of these breeds. Good or bad, require input.

Where's Saanensandy when ya need her?

Maybe you could pick by which breeder you liked best? Or which facilities?

We have 7 nubians and a Nigerian. We've only had the nubians for a couple of weeks, and the Nigerian since Sunday. I love them all, but the Nigerian steals my heart because she's so sweet natured. The Nubians look so funny when they run with flapping ears, and are good natured also. They are heavier and a little harder to "wrangle" when you want to lead them somewhere. We have never milked either type yet, but may do so in future.

Well thank you Grownut,CMoxon.
Over the past few days I have visited several breeders. the La Manchas, Saanen, Nigerian, and Alpine breeders were very helpfull, knowledgable and clean. their goats were in great condition.
lucky for me the contractor called, they can't get welded wire panels finished for several weeks.
Goat barn go's in week from monday.And Im working out of the area for several weeks. Realy this is great, Im afraid I might have bought them all if I had a place for them.
Can't wait to hear from Saanensandy

I finally got a good shot of Stella's belly & hips and coat.. She has just turned 6 months and I have not noticed a "heat cycle" yet.. but did just notice this week she seems to be sheading.. I am wondering if she might be missing a nutrient or is it just a normal phase either in her life or time of the year?

Wow, she's gorgeous Fran! How exciting for you to have her! Ours have been shedding too (nubians).

I'm the queen of the castle and you're the dirty rascal...

Hey, Grandma Dusty, is that you coming to see me??

Oh, wait, that's just the bringer of food...

Yum! It's OK Grandma, you can come see me another time. :-)

thank you claire.. I am kind of partial to her.. she is a brat.. follows me everywhere.. and loves to steal my green cherry tomatoes.

Glad to hear yours are shedding too... unless someone else comes along and tells us thats not good???

Isn't she a cutie?? what a hambone!

She's a lover - always wants her head petted and always needs a fuss. I love her to bits though.