Boer goat question

[countrywife]

Herd goal???? without paper work the unregistered animals are considered grade does and the billy should have been wethered...JMO...naturally your decision should be based on the animals taken singly not as a "package deal"....No one will tell you to buy anything, registered/unregistered, without a "hands on" session with each animal...You have to first have a herd goal in place then go to look at only animals that fit into your plan...When you look at a prospective animal look at its structure,condition,moblility,coat,teeth,udder,basically the entire animal, with not only your eyes but with your hands as well...Buy the best animal you can afford that fits into your plan...I wouldn't suggest buying a group of does because someone told you its a good deal...sounds like an auction barn...Important: ask the owner to look at any records he may have about pertaining to the particular animal, verbal records aren't too believable, ask if he owns the dam/sire/siblings of the animal....an honest seller will tell you what he has and show you what you ask for....So what's your herd goal?

What he said. You have to know what you want to do with them in the future. I sell a few here and there, but we keep the herd for brush removal and upkeep on the farm- without them it gets too overgrown too fast. I dont show or sell to the highest bidder, so papers and percentage mean not so much to me. But you have to know what your goal in before you can know what to buy.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Hmm..my goal. I have my toggs for dairy. They're registered and from very good show stock. I do not show, but may get into it in the future.
I have 60 acres of woodlands. I don't necessarily need them for clearing, but they do take care of some of the brambles at the edge of the woods.
Initially I thought that we would just butcher the bucklings we get from the toggs. However, I seem to have been smitten by the "boer bug". I love the way they look.
I read that NY has the largest demand for goat meat. I don't intend to do anthing large scale, but there seems to be an outlet for any "extras". I do love being as self sufficient as possible.

Soo, my goal...I don't want more animals than I can personally bond with. I am the sole caregiver of all of my animals, so I don't want more than I can take care of (physically and monetarily). I also work full time outside the home.

soo, my goal? I have no freaking clue. Sheesh. Perhaps I'll admire the boers at the fair and stick with my toggs...

 

[ksalvagno]

If you really just like the Boers and are just looking for personal meat, why not get one or two of the unregistered and breed them to your Togg? If you don't want or need to further their line, then it really doesn't matter.

I am going to breed my Boer does to my Nigerian buck. While most people wouldn't call this ideal, I don't want to take care of or deal with a Boer buck and I don't want to pay for buck services and risk my girls picking up a disease. Since the meat will only be for personal use and there is only 2 of us, I don't have to have the full blooded Boer. I'm at least trying it and see what happens.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

There are only two of us here as well. Will I get enough meat from togg "extras" to suffice? My hubby also hunts deer. (3 bucks this yr)


Those boers are so pretty.... I may not be able to resist the bred doe.

I don't really want to mix them with togg. I like my toggs just the way they are. I'm weird I guess.

 

[Roll farms]

Pssst....

I bred one of our Toggs to a boer this year, and my gawd were those kids ugly.....

I totally did NOT just say that in public, mmkay???

 

[ksalvagno]

I was just thinking to breed them and the offspring strictly be for meat. Then you could have your Boer and have just one Boer and not worry about a buck. I would think the Toggs would give you enough meat but I don't own any so I really don't know.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

Pssst....

I bred one of our Toggs to a boer this year, and my gawd were those kids ugly.....

I totally did NOT just say that in public, mmkay???

That's what I'd be afraid of...lol.
I love my toggs and cringe when I see mixed..just me. I feel the need to keep the breed pure... mine anyway.

I can't imagine an ugly kid...but I'll take your word for it.

 

[Roll farms]

I posted pics of them when they were born...

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3247

The only crosses I like the looks of tend to be swiss to swiss or Boer to Nub. Airplane ears make me sad....

 

[Mugen]

This forum is wonderful! Very informative! That being said, can I let my goats roam free in the woodland area? There's plenty of shrubs, grass, and saplings for them to eat. Is that a good or bad idea? Thanks much!

Regards,

Mugen

 

[Roll farms]

If there are coyotes or dogs running loose, it's a very bad idea, IMHO.