Bucklings or Doelings for us?

[freemotion]

I would get 2 or 3 does or a combo of 2 does and 1 wether if you think you might want to milk later. I'm not really a fan of keeping animals that aren't giving me something back. (Love just isn't enough~I know, I'm SO demanding.) So if I were to keep a wether I'd train him to pull cart or pack.

Have you trained a wether to pull a cart? At what age can they safely do this? (scheming to keep yet another kidlet...... )

 

[hermityfarmer-women]

Thanks for the info! A wether wouldn't be totally useless because during the summer we need lots of weeds/grass mowed around the ranch. And we might just use the cart thing

 

[chandasue]

I would get 2 or 3 does or a combo of 2 does and 1 wether if you think you might want to milk later. I'm not really a fan of keeping animals that aren't giving me something back. (Love just isn't enough~I know, I'm SO demanding.) So if I were to keep a wether I'd train him to pull cart or pack.

Have you trained a wether to pull a cart? At what age can they safely do this? (scheming to keep yet another kidlet...... )

Not yet but I'm going to with my new buckling when he gets here. He'll be about 6-7 weeks old when I get him. Emmetts had posted this link: http://www.workinggoats.com/?id=218

Edit: here's the portion that talks more about carts
http://www.workinggoats.com/?id=209

 

[20kidsonhill]

Anyone mention that whethers need to be fed differently than does, especially when does are nursing or milking? It can be managed, but there is a difference.

 

[chandasue]

Good point but the does just get the extra they need on the milk stand from what I understand. Seems easily managed.