Approved!

[RollingAcres]

Congratulations!

 

[Baymule]

I am so happy for you! You are going to enjoy your chickens and goats so much! What breeds of chickens will you have? A mixed flock is fun and colorful, like a bouquet of flowers.

 

[Alexz7272]

Congrats! I'd really take the time and effort to go through all the different breed options. I personally *had* no issues with horned goats but that does not mean that worked for everyone else. My Nigerians were pretty loud, I could not imagine having them in my backyard
That is so exciting! As others asked, do you know what type of chickens you want? Cannot wait to see what you decide on

 

[Athena2344]

My angoras have horns, but have never rammed me or anything else, and compared to the Boers, pygmies and some milkers I've come across, they are definitely the quietest I've ever come across.

 

[Genipher]

Find another vet that actually knows something about livestock. Geesh. Or just find others, mentors etc that will teach disbudding etc.

Yeah, I'm thinking she'll be a last resort. I asked her about breeding polled and polled, because I've read conflicting reports about it and she was utterly confused as to what I was talking about.

What's funny is she was really pushing FFH but...aren't goats supposed to be dehorned for showing??

 

[Genipher]

What complete nonsense! What the hell kinda answer is that? Horned goats have been getting eaten by LOTS of animals for millennia! Goats with horns are NOT going to stop your neighbor's dog from taking it down and making a snack of it. Don't believe me? There are plenty of examples you can read about right here on this site! A 50 pound goat even with horns is no match for a 50 pound rottie, German Shepherd, pit bull, etc. etc. etc. You have small kids, get de-horned goats! rant over

I know! I was surprised at her answer. Reminded me of my doctor when I told her my sciatica had made my foot partially numb. When I asked if the damage was permanent she said, "Lots of people who have diabetes can't feel their feet."

Okay. But I don't HAVE diabetes...so how does that answer my question??

Seems like those in the medical professions aren't as knowledgeable as they should be...no offence to any vets or doctors here! Maybe I just have poor luck in finding good doctors and vets!

 

[Genipher]

I'm going to chime in on this because I am in a situation with this right now.

I have Tabby a 7-month old kiko mix doe with horns... NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!!! She is the only doe in my herd right now with horns and I'm in constant threat of everything I do with her around. I am really regretting letting her stayed horned.

I can't grab her collar without getting poked, I can't bend down without being worried about a poke in the face, I'm always trying to make sure I'm not in her way of running, It is just a none stop threat of being worried.

I do get worried about the children being the pen with her and for there safety and everyone else I will NEVER again owner a horned goat. Unless a meat goat.

And on the fact of people owning goats for thousand of years with horns doesn't mean no one got an missing eye or poke in the shoulder from them... In my mind it is like saying people have been climbing mountains for thousands of year, well, it still doesn't mean many people have gotten hurt and die.

77777

Exactly! And you've been around my kids. The little girls especially love hugging on animals. They would be the ones to get their faces stabbed!

Have you thought about selling Tabby and replace her with a hornless doe?

 

[Genipher]

My angoras have horns, but have never rammed me or anything else, and compared to the Boers, pygmies and some milkers I've come across, they are definitely the quietest I've ever come across.

I thought about Angoras...looked into them a bit. I don't think I'm ready to take care of all that wool...

 

[Donna R. Raybon]

Find a cow vet willing to learn about goats. A lot of cow stuff is applicable to goats. One difference is how parasites impact goats much more than cows. For size the goat has a tremendous surface area in digestive tract compared to cow. My vet said like a 150# goat equal to 750# cow for parasites to attach...so goat ends up dead, but cow does not. Since goats evolved in desert and alpine regions they were not subject to parasite pressure and have little resistance. Find a cow vet, a small animal vet will kill your goat!!

 

[Genipher]

Horns are no no no no!!!! Determined coyote make short work on goat! Especially around children I would not have horned goats.

All goats make noise. An individual of any breed can be insecure screamer. Go hang out with different breeds and get what you enjoy looking at. If you plan on breeding you want to find some one close to buy from that would be ok with your bringing them back to breed.

Check www.adga.org to find goat club in your area. Fall fair show season is coming up and can be a good way to meet breeders and see goats. Do your homework this fall and winter to be ready to buy next spring. That is when animals are most readily available.

Scouting at the fair is a good idea. And I suspect I won't have my goat money saved until next spring, so that'll be good timing.

Yeah, I will have a true "backyard herd" with tall, secure, wood fences. The worst we get is racoons and even they have avoided our property since the dog likes to sleep under the stars during the summer.

As to our own dog (and now, new puppy) in the past we trained her to leave the rabbits and chickens alone. We'll do the same with goats. So, really, "horns for protection" wouldn't be an issue in our situation.