Goat Buyers and Major Frustrations!!

[D Bar J Acres]

Thorny Ridge, I totally understand! Last year I practically gave away my registered Nigerian kids (these were from a Rosasharn buck even!), late summer, I finally gave up and sold 3 doelings unpapered for $250 together at a swap. The lady said they were for her daughters. My husband then herd her talking to someone else and she was bragging about her "good buy" and was gonna resell them for $200 each! grrrr...

This year I've had more demand than kids. Hopefully this trend lasts for me.

I've paid $400 for animals too. The most I've sold any for is $300. Clean tested herd here as well, from many different states.

 

[ThornyRidge]

See I think that is it.. most people just see "goat" when I have done so much research and reading and consulting with other breeders that I see "lines/lineage" I know that really I am paying for health, conformation, temperment, etc. that has been passed through lines, therefore I am definately willing to pay for this because this is truly what makes a "goat".. the folks wanting freebie/pet goats have no concept of this and sometimes I think they are the same people who consider them "throwaway animals." I have had goats now for 7 years and it is a ton of work, dedication, time and money- and this does not define "pet". I don't sell animals for people to just tie up in their yard. And as previously stated if/since I can't find suitable people that I feel comfortable sending my babies home to live, then they stay with me.

*wow a Roshasharn animal- see to most people that would mean didly squat

 

[sillystunt]

I did alot of research before i got my rehomed goats. And you being a breeder makes you look at things differently then us just goat owners. I know your fustrated but you have passion and believe in what you do and that's what will sell your goats. You love them and care for them and that makes you a great breeder and person. Better times are ahead!!!

 

[D Bar J Acres]

I went thru the same thing with raising donkeys. I believe that most people, especially ones in the upper midwest that read local "newspaper" ads placed, believe donkeys and goats to mean the same thing as dirt cheap. Even when you place the price in ads, people that can't afford it or simply have no intention of paying that amount still call/email. I think they (goats and donkeys) are seen as cheap, lowly third world country animals that should be low priced. It's frustrating as all get out!

Maybe I should go to breeding some silly looking hairless cat or dog and people would throw money at it. They'd know right away - wow, hairless, must be really special!!

 

[farmy]

or what about hairless donkeys?

 

[ksalvagno]

Just to let everyone know, there are some people out there who are looking for quality and will pay for quality. I just bought 2 Nigerian Dwarf does at $300 a piece. They are registered and from a closed herd. I was also looking at bloodlines. I have no intention of showing or anything at this time but I own alpacas and alpacas can also get CAE, CL and Johnnes so I HAD to be very careful not to bring those diseases on the farm. I also learned from being in alpacas for 12 years that it is best to buy the best bloodlines you can afford for future sales. For me it was worth it to pay for the bloodlines and the disease free goats.

I'm mainly doing this for milk for personal use but since they have to have kids every year to continue milk, I felt that I had a better chance of selling kids that are registered/registerable and a chance to sell the males as bucks instead of just wethers.

Here's a picture of my new little ones. They are 8 and 9 weeks old.

By the way, where are you in Ohio ThornyRidge? I'm in Northeast Ohio in Ashland County.

 

[Griffin's Ark]

And then you have the fainting goats made popular on UTube. They are commanding a premium price and I really can't see a good use for them other than pets and then if you tame them down they won't faint as easy, so whats the point?

We have very few purebread registered goats, but the ones that we do have won't leave the farm cheaply. Now if you want a mixed up Pygmy wether that is tamed down... well no, that doesn't work either they are still going to cost someone at least $75 just because when you charge that much the person buying it won't see it as a throw away pet.

Chris

 

[D Bar J Acres]

I'm now picturing my mammoth donkey hairless - but keeping furry ears - not cute!

ksalvango - congrats on the new doelings. Very cute and wonderful of you to go for quality!

 

[wynedot55]

congrats on the new doelings.

 

[ksalvagno]

Thanks, they are lots of fun to have around.

I love my alpacas but they aren't as friendly or active.