I want goats but I don't think I can. :(

[Mac14]

Hey I am pretty new here, and I want goats! I already have chickens and I love them. So to the point. I think I live on .7 acre slope with my house more towards the top. My front and back yards are fenced in with nothing between them. The back yard is more of the get-together spot to have fun, but the snow and the chickens have worked together to destroy the grass. So I found a spot below my chicken coop that I thought would be good for goats. The area is about 18x35=630 sq.ft.
Conserns: I don't have enough space to change pastures. I am not very good with routine as I have read that goats need routine. I am not well off money-wise so the start up cost would be hard. I don't think I can convince my parents, because they barely let me get chickens. Everyone doesn't think I can do it. Having another 'building' in my garden will make it look cluttered. I get attached to animals too easily so selling kids would be hard. I am sometimes very busy. I have a large patch of raspberrys that need to be downsized because they are growing like crazy, but I have read that it is not good to tether goats, which is what I would need to do.

I just want 2 dwarf goats so it not too bad. But if anyone thinks that I would just be better off not having goats then PLEASE, PLEASE, tell me. One funny thing is that my brother generally doesn't like animals, but he said that he actually likes goats. I thought that was crazy, because basicly the only animal he likes are cats.

 

[Oakroot]

Honestly yes it sounds like you would be better off not getting goats. Goats take far more responsibility and work then chickens and vet care can be very expensive. You should not get involved in an animal if you can't afford several hundred in vet fee and the bigger the animal the bigger the fees.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

Sorry to disappoint but now, it does not sound like you are ready for or have the set up for goats. Dwarf goats are just as much work as large breeds.

You state you are not good with routine and are not financially ready for the expenses that will come with the animals. Goats will require daily, weekly and monthly care. They will cost you in feed, vaccinations, and several hundred in initial set up costs in addition to the animal purchase. They will absolutely need vet care to test for parasites and assign treatment when it is needed. You should not tether a goat and unless you have a very very very strong fence and a good shelter for them, you will need to get those before getting the goats.

It is wonderful that you have an interest in this animal and someday, I hope you will pursue getting a place of your own that can support them when you are able to. It just does not sound like a good idea right now.

 

[Splashy]

Hi,

As a young goat owner I wold like to encourage you to try raising goats.
I got my start raising goats at 14 I'm 17 now and I still adore my goats. I started with chickens also for quite a few years before starting goats. If you love chickens you will probably love goats.

My one main suggestion is research, research.

Splashy

 

[rinksgi]

I love my goats, and I hope you get some one day, but to me it sounds like now is not the right time for you. Goats will take up a lot of your time and will cost money. If you have to ask anyone for anything to take care of them, i would wait. Send some time in research and save up to get what you need. you (and the goats) will be much happier if you do.

 

[Mac14]

Sorry, yesterday I was feeling somewhat down and made everything seem worse than it really is.
For routine I would need to do more research and be VERY comitted, then I would a lot better.
Currently I am not to well off money-wise, but in the summer there is much more coming in.
I have already 1/4 convinced my mom which is good.
Everyone doesn't want me to get goats because they think that they need as much care as a captive Poler Bear.
I was already planning a hay shed for my chickens so I would might already have a 'building'.
My family would have no qualms helping me get rid of kids, and I know lots of people.
Yes sometimes I am very busy but by convincing people in my family then I would be getting help.
The patch of raspberrys would not be their living place, I would have them tethered there for a short time only under someones supervison.

So sorry for mixing everyone up, but what I wrote yesterday was probably exagirated. I want to get them next summer when I have more knowledge, convinced more people, and saved some money of my own. After reading this and you are still in much doubt or you need to ask more questions, again PLEASE tell me. Thank you.

 

[Catahoula]

Mac14, Are you planning to get couple dwarf goats as pets only or are you planning to get milk from them? If you just want pets, you don't have to breed them...get couple wethers (castrated males). It would cost less to buy wethers too. You only need to 'get rid of the kids' if you plan to breed your goats and not keep the kids. There will be more responsibilities if you breed and milk your goats. Something to think about.
Once you set up a routine, it really doesn't take much to care for them. I have 3 wethers and a doe. It takes me 10 minutes to feed and tidy up the barn in the morning if I have to do it in a rush. I can spend hours with them if I want also. You do need to save up some money in case of emergency...illness, accidents or unexpected feed price going up...etc... My goats require less care than my dog and I have a very mellow not demanding dog!
I would start with their shelter...they need to be protected against the weather, predators and a place to sleep. Find out where you can get hay, minerals and other supply or supplemental feeds in your area. How much are they and if they are easy to get. If you have freezing temperature in the winter, you'll probably need a heated bucket for their water during the winter...which means you'll need to run electricity in the goat area.
I think if you really want goats, you'll find ways to make it work.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Yes, spend the year researching everything you would need for them. Call your local feed store and see how much the feed and supplies is first, so you can save up money.

And I agree that two wethers would be your best bet to start with. Much less demanding, you don't have to milk them, and you don't have to worry about breeding and selling babies. Keep these for a year or so to get experience and then if you still like them and can take care of them well you can move on to does.

 

[Fluffygal]

Pygmies & NDs can use large dog house to sleep in. Ofcourse, having a protected canopy over part of their pen gives them a dry place to hang out in wet weather. Goats hate getting wet.

You can find mini breeds that fit well for folks with limited space.
Below are some questions for you to consider in your research.
Will you be using goats for 4-H?
Will you be showing them?
Will you be using them for milk?
Will you be using them for meat?
Will you be using them for fiber?
Will you be using them as pack goats?
Will you just keep as pets?

How much time are you able to put into interacting with them?
Do you have someone that you trust that can goat sit if you get sick or go on vacation?
Do you have or know of a vet near you to contact invade your goats need medical care?
Are you aware of the common parisites in your area to watch out for that can affect your goats health?Depending on where you live you may be prone to outbreaks of common worms n such for your area such as stronggles, round worms and so on.


Caring for any animal can be rewarding and takes commitment from their owners.

 

[Mac14]

I'm back. Sorry, I didn't drop off the face of the earth.
Yes I would be planning to have milk goats. That is a great idea about having weathers first, that way I can find out the routine needed with some flexibility.
I have already made a design for a goat house. I'm still working on it a bit.
I have a feed store in my area that I'm pretty sure has everything. There is also a couple people that I know that have goats, so I can ask them where they got things and what diseases there are around here.
Where I am planing for the goat house is pretty close to my chicken coop that has a electric source to make sure the water doesn't freeze.
I am not sure how much time I will have or how much it will take, but since I have chickens I kind of know what is involved in all that.
I would have my mom and dad to help and such.
I still have to see how many vets do farm animals around here, but I am sure there is at least 1 to 3.

I don't know if I covered everyone's questions, but I hope this has helped some. I'll probably post a couple of pictures in a bit.