Goat owner-wanna-be quesions!

[pridegoethb4thefall]

Ok, thanks all! What is the basic "stuff" needn't in goat keeping? eg feed, minerals, hay, ect. And do i have to do anything special to the goat/milk to sell the milk?

THATS a BIG question!! And youll get lots of different answers....

They need clean water, housing that wont leak or blow away, fresh quality hay or feed pellets, minerals, baking soda, room to roam around like pasture (must be escape proofed)

They need CD&T vaccinations, some kind of wormer (herbal, plant or chemical) regular hoof trims (about every 6 to eight weeks).

If youre gonna milk, youll need a way to sanitize/sterilize your stuff, a milk pail, a milking stand, a strainer for the milk, a way to pasturize the milk if you are going to pasturize, glass jars for the milk.

As for selling the milk- you will have to check your state and local laws since MOST states have made selling raw goat milk from your home illegal. That can be gotten around in different ways though depending on your marketing. For instance- look up the laws first, but, most people can sell the raw milk if you CLEARLY state it is NOT for human consumption and is for animals ONLY, or for making soaps and stuff like that.

Some states allow people to join a co-op where each person basically pays 'rent' on a goat in a herd and are then entitled to some of the milk that goat gives.

Keep asking questions!!

 

[pridegoethb4thefall]

Almos forgot!!

How do you plan to get your goat to produce milk?

Are you buying one already in milk? If so, ask to try that goats actual milk to be sure you like it- not all goats make the same tasting milk!

If your goat is NOT in milk, you will have to breed it to get the goat to make milk.

Are you ready to experience kidding (goat giving birth)? Do you have access to a pregnant goat or access to a buck that can impregnate your goat?

You will also have to breed your goat at some point to keep it producing milk over a period of time.

It might work out better for you to get 2 does, that way they can take turns having babies and being milked. You can also sell the babies as bottle babies and get some money to keep feeding your does.

Do some research, check out how long it takes to have kids and the milking process, figure out a time scale for milk production and how you will manage milking while in school or if you go on a trip.

Im looking forward to hearing what you work out.

 

[HooliganMe]

pridegoethb4thefall- Thanks! Can a goat be on a stake and leash? because we used to have a shetland pony and we used that with her. Just wondering if that would work with a goat too.

 

[TGreenhut]

Ok, thanks all! What is the basic "stuff" needn't in goat keeping? eg feed, minerals, hay, ect. And do i have to do anything special to the goat/milk to sell the milk?

You can't sell goat milk without saying it is for "Animal Consumption ONLY", at least in CA. Even if it's intended for people use, you have to say that .

I let my goats have free choice loose minerals (specially formulated for dairy goats- "Sweetlix") and free choice baking soda always. In the summer the grass is dry so I allow them to have free choice good quality grass hay (as much as they can eat) and twice to three times a week I feed alfalfa hay. In the winter when there is good forage, I give a flake of hay per two goats in the evening.
My wether gets one measured cup of grain each day, a handful of dried beet pulp, a tsp of Ammonium chloride, a squirt of "Healthy Coat" vitamin formula, and a tsp of herbal dietary supplement.
Does that are not in milk get one pound of grain a day (3 cups), a cup of dried beet pulp, a cup of black oil sunflower seeds, a tsp of herbal dietary supplement, and a squirt of "Healthy Coat" vitamin formula.
Does that are in milk get one to four pounds of grain a day (3-12 cups) depending on body condition, a cup of dried beet pulp, a cup of black oil sunflower seeds, a tsp of herbal dietary supplement, and a squirt of "Healthy Coat" vitamin formula.

 

[TGreenhut]

pridegoethb4thefall- Thanks! Can a goat be on a stake and leash? because we used to have a shetland pony and we used that with her. Just wondering if that would work with a goat too.

I know someone who did that and their goat strangled itself.

 

[pridegoethb4thefall]

pridegoethb4thefall- Thanks! Can a goat be on a stake and leash? because we used to have a shetland pony and we used that with her. Just wondering if that would work with a goat too.

I wouldnt do it- too many bad things could happen. What if it got wound up and couldnt get water? What if a predator got in? Your goat couldnt even run away.

Also, goats NEED a goat friend, so a single goat is a very lonely, unhappy goat. They have died of loneliness you know...they are herd animals.


So..... have you thought about your milk production plans?

 

[treeclimber233]

I tie my goats out on a long rope and chain thingy. It works well if you have a fairly heavy chain that is at least the length of their body. That way they don't end up with the rope wrapped around their back leg. One of my goats TRIES to get the rope wrapped around her back leg. I don't leave them tied out if I am not home. Too much risk of something getting them. I have a guardian dog but he won't stay with them if they are out of the field. I guess he is too busy making sure nothing is "over at the neighbors house that is going to get his babies". I have read they think they need to guard as far as they can see. Anyway if you tie your goat out it will only take about an hour and they are full and hollaring to go back to the barn anyway. If you tie them out make POSITIVELY SURE they will have access shade at all times if they want it. I had one that almost overheated on a day that I thought was just a nice sunny day. It was too hot for her to be tied in the sun!!!!!!!

 

[HooliganMe]

I'm a little conflicted with the chain verses a pen. But i could do either, so probably the pen.

@pridegoethb4thefall_ I am planning on getting two. I am not sure about milking. I will most likely buy it already milking. How long will they stay milking before you have to breed them again?

Tgreennut- What do the beet bulp, herbal supplement, and the "healthy coat" supplement do?


Another quesion(s) (bear with me!) how much money do you think it takes to own a two goast per month/year? and, could i let my goats browse all day or a limited time? And could i let them out without a pen/leash while being supervised.

 

[Fluffygal]

Cost will depend on the size of the goats you choose and individual needs.
1 Bag of 50lb feed now costs around $20.00 where I live.
1 square bale of good quality hay now runs up between $14 to $16 dollars depending on the feedstore you buy it at.
There are also individuals that will sell for less if you buy hay in bulk.

3 small goats (pygmy and/or ND) can eat a square bale a week and a food bag a month.

These are small goats. I just got a Nubian so am not up on what a large goat will go through yet.
If you have access to pasture with weeds and underbrush that is fenced in then you could let the goats browse there which would reduce feed cost as they would fill up on fresh browse and eat less of the hay and grain.

I would not free range in an unfenced area due to neighbors dogs that run loose or risk that my goat could wander onto the neighbors property and cause grief.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Cost will depend on the size of the goats you choose and individual needs.
1 Bag of 50lb feed now costs around $20.00 where I live.
1 square bale of good quality hay now runs up between $14 to $16 dollars depending on the feedstore you buy it at.
There are also individuals that will sell for less if you buy hay in bulk.

OMG. That's amazingly expensive.

I buy hay by the ton for $110 to $130 and feed at about $11/50 lb bag.