considering getting goats

[chickens454]

thats one of the posts i found. i dont want babies i need some that are either going to be able to milk soon or some that are already in milk. wouldn't mind ones that are gonna have babies or who have babies currently as I have a friend that will help with the birth if necessary.

I'm located by pinehurst so 45- hour from Fayetteville.

 

[Bayleaf Meadows]

You've made a start! If you go to the farm site linked in the ad posted, they may be able to tell you about other possibilities, too. You should also think about your own timeline. When do you think you will have a place ready for the goats you want to get?

 

[chickens454]

well, so I have to convince my hubby but I would like to have everything ready, all the ideas of what I'll need and were the goats will be before I ask him. I messaged the people from the link and well see when they reply. I should have everything ready by either beginning of feb or end of jan.

 

[chickens454]

would a hay bag work for their hay?

 

[chickens454]

asked the people they said they didn't have any adults just the kids. so I'm asking them if they know anyone they said they didnt...darn it back to the look in page

 

[Goat Whisperer]

I’m not a fan of hay nets.
They are very dangerous.

 

[chickens454]

so something like plastic trashcan with holes cut in it would work?

I would put it up off the ground and some sort of bun under it to catch fallen hay.

 

[Alaskan]

For a hay holder we looked at ones on-line, and then my boys built a wooden one.

As to amount of milk.. as the others said, it is extremely variable. Make sure you buy a good producer. No reason to spend money on a girl that will never produce.

Also, with a mature doe, see if you can watch her be milked.... as easy miler is SO MUCH EASIER to milk than one with all kinds of bad habits. I am not sure that you milking her is a good indication. ... since some girls are fine as long as everything is done "right " but a problem for someone they don't know.. .

As to housing.... I have a true barn...uh....20x30? about that, with a full loft. One third of the bottom is junk (aspen wood for the smoker, old horse water troughs etc) 1/3 is the middle run through left open as a loafing area out of the weather, and 1/3 is the secure area with their hay, water, and mineral. where they are locked up at night. So, 3 does (2 full size, 1 mini) in a 20x10 pen. during the day they get to roam about.

 

[Southern by choice]

asked the people they said they didn't have any adults just the kids. so I'm asking them if they know anyone they said they didnt...darn it back to the look in page

Since kidding season for many in the region (NC/SC) is generally March that will be a good time. Some start in Feb. but anyway often this is when people will decide if they are keeping a doe or not.
It is a good time to find does in milk. March through May is usually the best times to find what you are looking for.
Not all does are "culls" as in bad goats. If a good show breeder has a doe freshen and they are not terribly excited about the udder- meaning it isn't going to be show quality- it may be a great goat that produces great but may have something that just isn't as good as what they want to keep for a breeding program and that goat is perfect for a home milker.
Sometimes people just need to downsize too.

 

[Alaskan]

Since kidding season for many in the region (NC/SC) is generally March that will be a good time. Some start in Feb. but anyway often this is when people will decide if they are keeping a doe or not.
It is a good time to find does in milk. March through May is usually the best times to find what you are looking for.
Not all does are "culls" as in bad goats. If a good show breeder has a doe freshen and they are not terribly excited about the udder- meaning it isn't going to be show quality- it may be a great goat that produces great but may have something that just isn't as good as what they want to keep for a breeding program and that goat is perfect for a home milker.
Sometimes people just need to downsize too.

very true!