| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| one_dog_per_acre |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 09:46:17 AM
We are considering getting a pair of goats. What do you think is the nicest breed? Smartest breed? Have you been bitten or butted? Also, we live in the mountains where predators are present. I am hoping to use them to clear some brish/weeds and to love, but am not really interested in much else yet. Any feedback you have is greatly appreciated.
Trish
Make cupcakes not war!
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| 9 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| shepherdgirl |
Posted - May 07 2009 : 1:08:15 PM
Everyone is going to have their own opinion on which breed is best--- we all just LOVE our goats!!!--- but in the end you're the one who has to live with the creatures. Just think long and hard what your future plans are for the animals once they have done their brush clearing job (and they will do it faster than you can imagine!). Wethers would probably be best if you only want PETS. If you want breeders, maybe a few young does will be good. Think VERY hard before getting a buck! Especially the LARGE/HEAVY breed bucks. They can be a handful, and, left to their own devices, are NOTHING but trouble! (not to mention they STINK to High Heaven, especially in the Fall during breeding season-- or whenever does are presant)
Take your time deciding Trish, and have fun looking around at the different breeds. Go to the fairs and check out the "Goat Barns" and talk to the owners. SOMETHING will reach out and grab your heart! And who knows, it might just be the UGLIEST, mixed breed goat on the planet! (LOL!!!) but remember, if you don't absolutely LOVE it, you might come to resent it, so choose carefully. Happy Goat hunting! ~~~ Tracy
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. ~~ George Carlin |
| farmmom22 |
Posted - May 06 2009 : 09:47:21 AM
We have Boer and Nubian goats. I love them! I agree that if they are raised on a bottle they are alot more like a pet. We have a buck and a doe that were bottle babies. And they follow us everywhere and come when we call them. The one thing I would suggest is to make sure you either get goats without horns or if they are babies then have someone disbud them. That means to remove the horns. Especially bucks. When the bucks get big they can be very aggresive and horns are dangerous if they want to start ramming you. Believe me I know, I had a 230 pound Buck get out one day and did his best to get ahold of me! I had the bruises to prove it. You should also do some research into what feed you will use, the shelter they will need and what kind of fencing you will use. Goats are smart and will get out in a heartbeat! There are plenty of good books and information on the web. Hope this helps! Tammy
http://afarmgirljourney.blogspot.com/
Farmgirl Sister #492
Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending. -Carl Bard |
| nubidane |
Posted - May 05 2009 : 7:39:57 PM
I have Nubians & they are the sweetest things ever. They were raised by their mama & my good friend Linda(wooliespinner here) who gave them lots of love & attention when they were babies. They love me, my hubby & anyone they come in contact with. They are my true sweeties. |
| LisaTwo |
Posted - May 05 2009 : 5:46:53 PM
I have an oberhasli, a nubian, a pigmy/nigerian mix and a nigerian. The Oberhasli and the Nubian were bottle babies and they are the world's most obnoxious things EVER! My P/N mix was not bottle fed and a bit shy when I got her last month, but she's climbing in my lap now but not as "needy" as the bottle babies. I would NEVER get another bottle baby. Holy cow or Holy Goat they are brats and they bite me if I don't bring them cookies! My advice would be to get a young goat and show her lots of love. and cookies. And she will love you back hopefully, at an appropriate measure.
Smiles,
Lisa
http://pinkporches.blogspot.com/
*And you know when the truth is told-- you can get what you want--or you can just get old.* (Billy Joel) |
| grace gerber |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 9:46:24 PM
Goats are like humans - everyone is different but they have some basic issues. If you are having them where prediators are you must have a goat with horns - that is their only defense. I would however never think a goat will stand up to a prediator by themselves, but horns can help.
Next a bottle kid is good but I have many who graze around my property where there is no fence, no tieing them and they manage to come when called and also put themselves up at night without my assistance. They do not wonder off the farm but that is with a close bond to the farm not just me.
Then it is do you want milk or fiber - I love cashmere for clearing purposes and they provide wonderful fiber that gets top dollar. I also have two cashmere's weathers who can pack the trails. No stranger to hard work. If you are having milkers clear bush you can get their utters cut up and also their milk might be off taste depending on what they are easting.
The most important thing to know about goats is they do not just eat everything - so it would help to know what you wish them to clear.
Grace Gerber
Larkspur Funny Farm and Fiber Art Studio
Where the spirits are high and the fiber is deep
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| kristin sherrill |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 7:10:06 PM
If I were just useing goats to clear brush and weeds I'd have Spanish or Kiko. They are both very hardy and pretty resistant to parasites. Really easy to take care of, too.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
| Alee |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 6:46:49 PM
I have been around Oberhasli goats and loved them. They are a nice medium size- sturdy but not over large. They are good milkers too!
Alee
Farmgirl Sister #8
www.awarmheart.com
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| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 6:15:22 PM
I adored my Saanens. I had other breeds too (Oberhasli, pygmy and Nigerian dwarf, as well as Anogras) but the Saanens stole my heart. I am not a tiny person and they are large goats...about as big as Nubians, so if that is an issue I guess it would make a difference, but they give wonderful milk, are very friendly and sweet and easy. I would totally recomend them as a milk breed.
I have only been butted or bitten (both) my my little spoiled rotten angora doe Pearl. But she isn't a good representative of her breed either. She is a brat. She has a place here because she is my beloved cow, Mona's best friend.
Jenny in Utah
Proud Farmgirl sister #24
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
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| Beverley |
Posted - May 04 2009 : 10:05:30 AM
I am not sure what kind are the nicest but my suggestion is to make sure they were bottle feed or bottle feed yourself. there are so much more friendly with humans this way. I have nigerian dwarf which are a lot smaller than most other kind of goats and they still are good for eating any kind of brush and they are easier to manage because of their size. I just love them. I have bottle feed their babies and some I have not and the bottle feed ones are just like dogs. very friendly to humans . Just love them..
Folks will know how large your soul is by the way you treat a dog....Charles F. Doran
beverley baggett Beverley with an extra E...
http://bevsdoggies.googlepages.com/ |
