animalmom
Herd Master
Here's another howdy and welcome from the Great Lone Star State, where the stars at night are big and bright. Sit a spell, grab that there beverage of your choice, seeing as it is getting colder we've added hot tea, coffee and some delightful whisky in addition to the popular iced tea selection. I'm confident there are many here that can offer suggestions for your questions.
We have rabbits, goats, chickens, geese, and beef in the livestock category, and pet dogs. We started with California rabbits and had an opportunity to add AlTex to our genetics. I really, really like the theory for the AlTex, and the size, but have had problems getting AlTex does to mate. Could be I didn't have great stock, don't know. Right now I'm working with my own hybrids that are half AlTex and am pleased with the growth rate and meat to bone ratio. There is a fellow in Burleson,TX that raises AlTex for Texas A&M as the university has apparently outsourced the breeding program. His website is cowtownrabbits.com, if you are interested. I think he also does California, but don't quote me on that.
I HAVE to put in my 2 cents regarding goaties. I love, love, love, enjoy and am constantly entertained by my Nigerian Dwarfs. They are small, manageable, edible (yum) and provide me with more than enough milk for our use and the dogs' breakfast. With regards to most anything you first need to determine what you need/want. Mission dictates equipment. Once you determine how much milk per day you want beat it against your lot size, then beat that against your finances and finally beat that against your available time commitment. Start small, not necessarily small animals, but may be just two does and see how it goes. Also there are other mini breeds out there to consider that can give you other options. http://miniaturedairygoats.net/ may be helpful for you.
Ask questions, ask why if the answers don't make sense to you. Sometimes folks answer questions and forget that not everyone know the same thing. What may be obvious to them will sure as the sun rises in the East be as clear as mud to you.
Good luck with your great adventure. Rome wasn't built in a day so take heart when your progress seems to slow. Take pictures often to remind yourself how far you have come. Oh, and ask how to do shelters on the cheap. Plywood will become your next best friend. Don't skimp on fencing as the money spent on good fencing now trumps constantly fixing a cheap fence. Ask me how I know!
Oh, since I'm already on a role, DO NOT think for one minute that you have to run out and get rabbits and goats and anything else right this minute. Start slow with one species at a time and when you are comfortable with that, and find time on your hands, then add another species. You will find yourself quickly overwhelmed if you do too much too fast. Again, ask me how I know!
Bottom line Welcome! We are all interested in your successes and will commiserate with you on non-successes and we love pictures, hint hint.
We have rabbits, goats, chickens, geese, and beef in the livestock category, and pet dogs. We started with California rabbits and had an opportunity to add AlTex to our genetics. I really, really like the theory for the AlTex, and the size, but have had problems getting AlTex does to mate. Could be I didn't have great stock, don't know. Right now I'm working with my own hybrids that are half AlTex and am pleased with the growth rate and meat to bone ratio. There is a fellow in Burleson,TX that raises AlTex for Texas A&M as the university has apparently outsourced the breeding program. His website is cowtownrabbits.com, if you are interested. I think he also does California, but don't quote me on that.
I HAVE to put in my 2 cents regarding goaties. I love, love, love, enjoy and am constantly entertained by my Nigerian Dwarfs. They are small, manageable, edible (yum) and provide me with more than enough milk for our use and the dogs' breakfast. With regards to most anything you first need to determine what you need/want. Mission dictates equipment. Once you determine how much milk per day you want beat it against your lot size, then beat that against your finances and finally beat that against your available time commitment. Start small, not necessarily small animals, but may be just two does and see how it goes. Also there are other mini breeds out there to consider that can give you other options. http://miniaturedairygoats.net/ may be helpful for you.
Ask questions, ask why if the answers don't make sense to you. Sometimes folks answer questions and forget that not everyone know the same thing. What may be obvious to them will sure as the sun rises in the East be as clear as mud to you.
Good luck with your great adventure. Rome wasn't built in a day so take heart when your progress seems to slow. Take pictures often to remind yourself how far you have come. Oh, and ask how to do shelters on the cheap. Plywood will become your next best friend. Don't skimp on fencing as the money spent on good fencing now trumps constantly fixing a cheap fence. Ask me how I know!
Oh, since I'm already on a role, DO NOT think for one minute that you have to run out and get rabbits and goats and anything else right this minute. Start slow with one species at a time and when you are comfortable with that, and find time on your hands, then add another species. You will find yourself quickly overwhelmed if you do too much too fast. Again, ask me how I know!
Bottom line Welcome! We are all interested in your successes and will commiserate with you on non-successes and we love pictures, hint hint.
I an't been grazing here long, but I can tell you this is the best & most friendliest group of people your'll ever have the pleasure chatting with. Everyone here will help the best they can, it's like a huge, really huge family with tons of information to help each other when needed. I love being part of this herd. I raise Nigerian Dwarf dairy goats, and I did at one time raise rhode island red chickens. But I feel in Love with the Nigerian dwarf goats & my chickens had to go, needed more room in the barn, sorry chickens. These goats are just the apples of my eyes. their my babies, there an't enough words to explain how precious they are to me. Oh Yea, I will tell you ahead of time, I have an addiction, an it's my goats. Oh, an the only cure is more goats. 
Nothing beats all those goat kisses, not to mention they love to see you coming & will meet you at the gate chattering to you. Love It. If there is anything I can help ya'll with just send me a message in my forum. or whatever it's called. Okay, well I just wanted to send you a Big Southern Howdy, & Welcome to the Herd! Hope to see you around the BarnYard sometime. 
It's even better than the top notch store bought brand I've ever had. We test all our goats for CAE, CL, Johne's & Q-Fever. For health of my goats & for myself seeing how we drink their milk, making cheeses. We also make soaps with their milk too. But our 1st & foremost with my babies is we love their company. Now we did alot of homework before we got into goats. from health to even what breed would fit our farm best. what were our intentions when getting them. So I love the small size of the ND goats. of coarse there is a smaller goat, and it's used for pets, show, milk & meat- called a pygmy. now here is a site on mixing the two and getting a kinder.
Anyway, I bet you'll figure out what will work best for you.
