goat

[Anonymous Poster]

I was sorta thinking about getting a goat. No specific reason really, I just like animals. Are they expensive to feed, and take care of (vet bills)? Would a pig or a cow be better? Also, are they ok by themselves, or do they prefer to have a friend for company?

 

[s1120]

I hear that most goats like to have a frend or two. Mind you, I don't have any, just what people have told me.

 

[Dozernut]

They will do fine by themselves. However do not get a Billy! My wife drug home a Pigmy Billy goat that was cute as the dickens, but stunk like a poorly designed outhouse. They have the quaint habit of peeing on their beards, then rubbing their beard on objects and people to mark their territory. On a good day, down wind, you could smell him a quarter a mile away. This goat (Ernie) must have been related to Houdini as it was an escape artist. No fence could hold him in, we finally resorted to tying him on a chain, but he would put so much strain on a leather collar he would eventually escape this also. Ernie did have a good point, you could stake him by a patch of poison ivy and he would eat it like alfalfa hay. The kids dog and Ernie did not like each other and to say the least it was entertaining to watch the two critters ambush each other. The dog used the opportunity when the goat was on the chain to nip at and torment the goat out of reach. When the goat got loose, he would sneak up on the dog and ram him, rolling him end over end. Ernie finally fell from favor with the wife when he escaped and got in the flowers and pretty much ate everything. I foisted, I mean grudgingly gave up Ernie to some friends, who were wondering why we were giving away such a cute little goat! For some unknown reason they got a little standoffish for a while, go figure! The point to this rambling by a madman is, GET A NANNY!

 

[s1120]

The poison ivy thing is why I am thinking of getting one. I got a ton of it, and if I can get something that will eat it, I will ahead of the game. Maby I will just rent one./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Scott_in_WVA]

Get a small one and raise it,you will have a friend .
We raised a little nanny with a bottle,and she thinks she owns the place now.So jealous of my wife,she will not let the cats around her.If you can tame one they make a nice pet.

 

[Tom_Trees]

<font color=blue>The poison ivy thing is why I am thinking of getting one.</font color=blue>

It's too bad poison ivy isn't a cash crop. First, with my luck, I wouldn't have any /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif. Second, I'd at least make some money off it. I was just noticing yesterday that the ground cover around the house (yard going in in about 2 weeks) looks to be 90% poison ivy.

Maybe I could rent a goat too. . .

Tom

 

[MDNick]

Paul,

You /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif. I know a guy that basically did just that. He bought 2 goats at an auction to clear out an overgrown brushy area. They ate everything. Once the area was cleared, he took the goats back to the auction and sold 'em. So long as you don't have kids or wives or someone (including yourself) that would get attached the the critter) it would work. I guess it worked great for the guy. Amazing that they can eat poison ivy.

Nick

 

[s1120]

Well, I love animals. My wife loves animals. I have a child, but shes only 4 weeks old, but I bet she will also. So looks like I am out of luck./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[RobertN]

Be careful... My neighbor has a couple goats. They are cute. But, while they are eating poison oak, they get the oils on thier fur. Shelley has had a couple of bad cases of poison oak, just from handling the goats.

 

[Dobber30052]

We bought a couple of goats (does) for the same reason, as well as the thought of fresh milk. We bought them bred, consequently we now have 5. They are Nigerian Dwarfs. Fun, cute, and the 2 does produce about 1/2 gallon per day! They are relatively easy to keep, and most have told me that as long as they are happy, they won't try to escape. Ours are happy. They will lay into a fence (literally) so make sure it's tight or they will stretch it. We feed ours a combination of Purina goat chow and beet pulp (2:1, gc:bp) and local Alicia hay. We probably spend $10-$15 per month on them. Contrary to popular belief (our) goats do not eat everything, BUT, they CHEW EVERYTHING! They have chewed trailer light wires, the seat to my tractor, fish hooks, my shirt (while wearing it), and countless other things. Ditto on the bucks, they STINK, no 2 ways about it. Also, goats are social creatures, one will be very lonely and unhappy, you should get at least two. You can see some older pics of ours at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dobberspond.com>http://www.dobberspond.com</A> in the critters section. (Don't rib me too much about the site, it needs completion & updating horribly!)

Go for it!

Dob

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Thanks for the reply. We are just thinking about it for now, but when we get them I'll post a picture. I think it would be neat to have a couple of those fainting goats. I'll keep you informed.

 

[Dobber30052]

Have you seen a fainting goat faint? <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.webworksltd.com/webpub/goats/faintinggoat.html>Here</A> is a link to the American Tennessee Fainting Goat Association, at the bottom of the page is a link to a quicktime movie of it happening, like the disclaimer says, it's kinda dark on Internet Explorer, but, you can see it. It's pretty funny.

Dob

 

[john4nh]

Hi Ive been debating the same thing.

I found a herd (I guess) 15nannies and 1 Billi for 750. Sounds good but still trying to get land ready so will have to wait.

I think you will enjoy them, but the Billies or nasty guys.

Good luck

 

[Anonymous Poster]

I didn't realize that they were that big. That site said 50 to 165 lbs. Does that mean average size is over 100 lbs? I just have zero knowledge about goats, but I thought 80 to 100 lbs would be a big goat. Is that milk really good to drink? Do you have to sterilize or pasturize it in some way?

 

[Anonymous Poster]

By the way I think you have a pretty good website. It looks like you guys have a lot of fun.

 

[mdbarb]

We have been discusssing this off and on for a couple years now. But we just can't decide on which type to get.
We would like to get two to clear brush on the nine acres and just as family pets for the two girls. Don't need to get milk or breed them. Wife likes the smaller ones but doesn't care for the w i d e look of the dwarf pygmies ( actually without the pics infront of me I can't remember which is which)
What are the various types that fit the above and where can I find out specifics like respective disposition etc..

 

[Dobber30052]

I don't have any firsthand knowledge of the fainters, just heard stories and found that site. I can't attest to their size either, but, there are dozens of goat breeds in all shapes, sizes and colors. We opted for the N Dwarfs because they are milkers and they are small. We did not want to get something like a Nubian and drown in milk. I have only been able to convince my wife to eat a few ducks (we had over 30 a month ago), so no Boers or the like (meat goats).
The milk is excellent. You can get a mini pasteurizer, kinda like a pressure cooker, but, we just immediately immerse the milk bucket in ice as was mentioned in several books and websites as a cheap (free) alternative. Again, with the relatively small amount, it's easy, and no side effects... yet? Right out of the teat onto ice, into the mouth is the best. After it sits in the fridge a day or 2 it gets a little "stronger", somewhat like a "gamey" taste to venison etc. Still good mind you, just not what you are used to. Milking is a daily process though, else they will decline into non-production, then you have to "freshen" them, which means breed more kids! Of course if you give up on the milk, you still have some cute pets!

Thanks for the nice words on the site, I suppose since you don't know what all should be there, it doesn't seem so bad...

Dob