First time goat owner: Questions!

[Fethre]

I can't post pictures because i'm new, but I uploaded one of the mother and son, can be found on my page. I'll upload one of the Alpines later!

 

[SuperChemicalGirl]

I, personally, wouldn't get pets with horns. And you would need to have him castrated ASAP.

If it were me, I'd go meet the mom and see if I wanted her. If she acts really bad, I would probably pass on her, too. You don't want unfriendly goats.

 

[Catahoula]

I, personally, wouldn't get pets with horns. And you would need to have him castrated ASAP.

If it were me, I'd go meet the mom and see if I wanted her. If she acts really bad, I would probably pass on her, too. You don't want unfriendly goats.

Alpines are a lot bigger than Nigerian Dwarf. They could probably live together but I would think about keeping either horned or hornless herd. I know some people keep both but personally I wouldn't. Horned goats are more destructive because they use their horns on the fencing and they can pull and break the fence...or worst, get stuck in the fence. Spacing between fencing has to be small enough so the horned goat's head doesn't go through or he may get stuck.
Take you time, build your fencing first. There are lots of goats available...if you wait till spring again, there will be plenty more to pick from. You can visit all the farms and see what breed appeals to you. Don't rush.

 

[Moonshine]

Take you time, There are lots of goats available...if you wait till spring again, there will be plenty more to pick from. You can visit all the farms and see what breed appeals to you. Don't rush.

I love this advise!! It is so true on many accounts! You can do all the research you want but it's just not the same as visiting a goat in person. Nothing I read said my goats would be loud belly achers! When I went to pick up the goats they weren't loud or even vocal, maybe because they were still nursing and were the low man on the totem pole in their heard. I have 3 different goats from 3 different places all around the same age and its prolly because their spoiled but they are very vocal especially the bottle baby! Which I don't mind but someone else wanting goats might and might be turned off by that. It's like anything else that you read and then do hands on, it's just never quite the same as you pictured it when you read it. And by the time spring comes you'll be ready for babies!!!

 

[jodief100]

I find you can keep just about any goats together as long as they have enough space and none are too aggressive. If you don't mind the horns, go for the mother an son. See how they are living and what they are eating. Make sure you can accommodate that, you don't want to make any big changes in their management. Be aware horns can get caught in fencing. If the welded wire is 6 x 6 holes, you will be unsticking goats a lot. If it is 4 x 4 you will be fine once hey are bigger. If it is the graduated with 12" verticals, that should work as well.