Considering starting a small herd

[Boondachs]

My DH has been a member of backyardchickens for some time and suggested that I search here about goats. I am a hand spinner and would very much like to start a small herd of my own. I grew up on a horse farm and so caring for farm animals is well within my understanding. I would very much like to have a few goats that I can get cashmere from (who wouldn't).

Can anyone recommend a breed or breeds that produce reasonable cashmere and are not insanely expensive?

Additionally, I would like to learn as much as possible about all aspects of raising goats before I actually purchase any, any recommended reading or specific threads here?


Thanks a million!

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Welcome...

 

[freemotion]

I found www.fiascofarm.com to be very useful in my own research. Come back here for more updated health rx info, though, most of the time as the site is older and not so updated.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

First things first:
I hear Pygoras(Pygmy/Angora) are good if you are limited on space... if you have more than enouygh space though, go for the Angora for fiber. It depends on the breeding as to whether they are cashmere or not. So, you will have to check whatever animal out yourself to know if it is truely cashmere or not. There is a woman local to me who is getting rid of a couple Angoras, they are 2 yrs old, one is cashmere, one is not. And when I say she is getting rid of, I mean that she is giving them away. I wish we were not so limited on space or I would take them for integration into our herd.

You will also want to decide now, if you want disbudded or naturally poled goats, or if you prefer them naturally with horns. You cannot have both, for the safety of those without. My family chooses to have them naturally with their horns... you can actually lead them this way. (They tip their heads down when you grab a horn and all you need to do is keep a firm grip and pull them along behind you.)

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

I posted a goat starter list here when we first started with goats: http://www.betterhensandgardens.com/2010/08/15/goat-starter-list/ I still think it's a pretty good starting point.

 

[peachick]

My DH has been a member of backyardchickens for some time and suggested that I search here about goats. I am a hand spinner and would very much like to start a small herd of my own. I grew up on a horse farm and so caring for farm animals is well within my understanding. I would very much like to have a few goats that I can get cashmere from (who wouldn't).

Can anyone recommend a breed or breeds that produce reasonable cashmere and are not insanely expensive?

Additionally, I would like to learn as much as possible about all aspects of raising goats before I actually purchase any, any recommended reading or specific threads here?


Thanks a million!

Welcome to the forum!
I am also in MD and have a small herd of 7 goats.
On BYC my name is also peachick

I have long haired myotonic goats..... their coat is long and silky. I dont know if its what you'd want for spinning... but you are certainly close enough for a visit to see for yourself.

 

[Livinwright Farm]

Welcome to the forum!
I am also in MD and have a small herd of 7 goats.
On BYC my name is also peachick

I have long haired myotonic goats..... their coat is long and silky. I dont know if its what you'd want for spinning... but you are certainly close enough for a visit to see for yourself.

does myotonic mean fainting? or blue?

 

[peachick]

myotonic goat means fainting goat

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

 

[chandasue]

Angoras and Pygoras are really pricey around here (otherwise I'd have a couple myself.) Price goes up as the fiber micron count goes down too. It depends on your area. Be aware that a deal is not always a deal if it means contending with any of the contagious goat diseases. Sometimes you have to pay more for goats to ensure they come from healthy herds that test regularly. And sometimes you really luck out.