Buying our first goats

[mydog8it]

We decided to get a pair of goats and I'm hoping for some input from experienced goat people. We've narrowed it down to Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, or Nigerian/Nubian cross does, as we want them for pets and lawn-mowing as well as milk.

It seems like there is a large discrepancy in price for doelings in our area, ranging from around $200-$600. I'm not sure which we should be looking at.

We don't care whether or not the goats are registered, but as we will need to breed them in order to get milk I'm wondering how big of a deal this is in general?

I'm also wondering if anyone has opinions on how big of a deal it is if the breeder has not tested for CAE? We saw some nigerian dwarfs that looked healthy and well cared for, but the breeder didn't do any testing so I told her we'd have to think about it.

I'd love any feedback on the above, and the breeds in general! *edit* Also, is there anything in particular we should be looking for when choosing a doeling? ie: straight legs, etc

 

[farmerlor]

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

Well, there are a lot of experienced goat folks here that can help

We got Nigerian Dwarfs last year, and I wrote a bit about them here: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/09/15/nigerian-dwarf-goats/ We have been very happy with our girls, they're small, easy to work with, affectionate, and friendly. Just finished trimming their hooves this afternoon, and they still insist on sitting on my lap (althought they don't fit very well anymore) to have their hooves trimmed.

As far as being registered, when it comes time to sell the offspring, having registered animals can be helpful, particularly if 4-H and showing at the fairs is a big activity for the kids in communities around you. Generally, if registered, the higher prices are for kids with better pedigrees. In trying to understand pedigrees, this may help some but it's still confusing: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/12/22/understanding-goat-pedigrees/

As far as testing for disease, that is very important!!! Most people don't want to start with goats with disease and then have to live with the limitations/sickness those diseases bring. We made sure ours came from a farm with no disease and have tested each doeling for CAE, CL, TB, Brucellosis, and Johnes before bringing them to our farm. I would suggest that you read about these diseases before making any decision to consider goats that have not been tested or come from a farm with any disease.

 

[ksalvagno]

If you are really wanting the milk, you will want to make sure you get goats from good milking lines. You want big orifices and nice size teats. I have Nigerians and I'm very happy with them. I do have an Alpine and she is one heck of a milker but I'm glad to only have one full size dairy goat. The little ones are just easier to handle.

 

[julieq]

Well, there are a lot of experienced goat folks here that can help

We got Nigerian Dwarfs last year, and I wrote a bit about them here: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/09/15/nigerian-dwarf-goats/ We have been very happy with our girls, they're small, easy to work with, affectionate, and friendly. Just finished trimming their hooves this afternoon, and they still insist on sitting on my lap (althought they don't fit very well anymore) to have their hooves trimmed.

As far as being registered, when it comes time to sell the offspring, having registered animals can be helpful, particularly if 4-H and showing at the fairs is a big activity for the kids in communities around you. Generally, if registered, the higher prices are for kids with better pedigrees. In trying to understand pedigrees, this may help some but it's still confusing: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/12/22/understanding-goat-pedigrees/

As far as testing for disease, that is very important!!! Most people don't want to start with goats with disease and then have to live with the limitations/sickness those diseases bring. We made sure ours came from a farm with no disease and have tested each doeling for CAE, CL, TB, Brucellosis, and Johnes before bringing them to our farm. I would suggest that you read about these diseases before making any decision to consider goats that have not been tested or come from a farm with any disease.

What she says!!

 

[mydog8it]

Thanks for the feedback! What a cute blog BetterHensandGardens

Is it OK to keep nubians and nigerians together, or is bad to mix sizes?

 

[BluBug]

PLEASE take 'Better Hens and Gardens' advice.

Even if someone wants to give you goats or you are getting them from ur best friend.
Paying $500~$600 each and then getting just one that has one of these non-curable diseases, destroys your whole herd & your plans ~ dreams and pocketbook.

 

[helmstead]

Is it OK to keep nubians and nigerians together, or is bad to mix sizes?

Sure you can! We keep our 4 nubian does in with our Nigerians and they do fine

 

[glenolam]

I'm going to be the odd ball out and say that you shouldn't put down "free" or "cheap" goats just yet. Just because a goat costs you $400 and comes will all the 'bells and whistles' of registration papers, vet checks and disease control doesn't mean you will never end up with one of those diseases.

This may be a very bad analogy and I am in no means trying to pick a fight, but let's compare this to buying a full breed, registered labrador to going to the pound or humane society. You're going to pay up the wazoo for a pure bred animal that may, in the end, have more health problems than that mutt from the pound. The opposite is true - you could be inviting more diseases into your home by bringing home that mutt. You just never know sometimes.

I'd advise to visit whatever animal you're looking to buy/take home. Ask the owner lots of questions and spend time getting to know them and their animlas. Go with your gut feeling. If someone fell on hard times and must get rid of their goats for free, it doens't mean they don't take care of them the "right" way.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

I'd advise to visit whatever animal you're looking to buy/take home. Ask the owner lots of questions and spend time getting to know them and their animlas. Go with your gut feeling. If someone fell on hard times and must get rid of their goats for free, it doens't mean they don't take care of them the "right" way.

I agree. There are never any gurantee's In life. Alot of times animals will test negative while young for some diseases and things appear as they age. So not matter how much you spend..you may still get a lemon.