Interested in getting a goat (or two)!

[roohound]

Let me preface this by saying I have zero experience with goats and am making sure to find out as much as possible before we even think about bringing any one home. I apologize in advance for all the newbie questions

I have a miniature horse and I'd like to get her some companions. She doesn't really get along with other horses but I think she'd be fine with goats. Plus, my fiance and I have been talking about getting goats for while.

I think it would be best to get 2 goats as it seems like they do really well in pairs. I'd also like to get them fairly young so we can really bond. I keep seeing the term "Bottle babies" I'm confused by this - does this mean people take perfect fine goats away from their perfectly fine mothers in order for people to bottle feed them? Or does this only refer to those who have been orphaned/rejected? What age do you think ould be best to get?

What kind of goats do you think would make the best pets? From what I can tell, I think pygmy goats or Nigerian dwarf goats would be our best bet.

I think we would want two doelings, two wethers, or one of each. I know we don't want bucks lol How young can you geld?

Does anyone have any hints for introducing the goats to the horse? She's usually out in her pasture all day (if the weather is good) and in her stall at night. I know I've seen where mini owners put goats in their horse's stall, but I'm not sure if that's the best idea - especially since I don't want them eating her food.

I have seen goat prices run from $50-$5000. We are not interested in breeding, we just want pets. Is it possible to get good pet quality goats at the lower end of that range (50-150?) I've done a number of searches for goat breeders in our area (middle TN) but the few sites I've found have the $$$$$ goats and I really don't want to invest that much if we're not looking at showing/breeding. I've also checked Craigslist. Does anyone have any other suggestions as where to find reputable breeders?

I'm sure I will have more questions as we go along Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[lilhill]

Some horses get along well with goats, and then some don't. It really depends on the horse's temperament and tolerance for goats, and you would find that out after putting them together. I would want to supervise for a couple of days they are in with each other to see how it goes.

Bottle babies typically are babies removed from their dams and bottle fed. Some will allow the babies to nurse first in order to get the colostrum needed and then remove them from mama to bottle feed them.

If you don't want to show or breed, then I'd suggest getting a couple of wethers for pets. Wethers with no papers usually sell for $50 to $75 around here. My kids are usually weaned and ready to leave at 2 months of age as long as they are eating and drinking water well on their own.

 

[Roll farms]

I take perfectly fine goats away from perfectly fine moms because I want the perfectly fine milk for myself...and I prefer bottle raised goats to dam-reared goats, as far as temperament.

Some folks don't like goats to be 'in your face'....I don't like to chase the little buggers down at hoof trim and vaccination time.

I don't have loads of spare time to tame kids down, so bottle raising them does it for me.
When you buy your goats, unless you have the time / patience to tame them down, make sure that one of the questions you ask..."Are they tame or wild?"

Your state could have a TN Pygmy breeders assoc. and possibly a dairy goat assoc, where you could look for Nigi breeders.

You'll be amazed how quick goats can escape a fence that holds a mini horse in just fine.

I know from experience that horses will kick and bite goats to chase them off feed....if you plan to feed the goats, you'll have to seperate them somehow to keep the horse from bullying them.

Boys shouldn't be fixed before 2 mos of age to help prevent Urinary Calculi.

 

[cindyg]

I'm in the same place as OP, want goats, not sure what kind to get. Saw a very cute female Nigerian Dwarf on Kijiji for $150, but have no idea if that is a good price or not. (I'm in Nova Scotia, Canada) I want milk, so will have to get a Mama, but do you get one that has had a baby, or one that is going to have a baby. I think I understand about not letting the kid nurse, but is that mean? But now I see that Roll Farms prefers bottle fed because it helps with temperment, never thought of that. Do ND give much milk? I want cheese and yougurt for me and my chickens. Another question I have is to do with where they live, I have access to acres of woods that has barely been touched, but it is a short ATV drive away from my house, could I sort of fence in around the trees and leave the goats there?, with a shelter of course, and at least twice daily visits to feed, water and milk. Would they eat the brush and help us with the clearing? I've read that donkeys make good guard animals, so might get one of those too. It's hard to decide all this stuff, would be great to hear yeas and nays from experienced goat folk. Thanks

 

[helmstead]

I bottle raise, too. It's not mean at all For all the same reasons as Roll. You wanna bond? Get bottle babies!

I raise grade Nigerians in addition to my show quality ones...they're in that lower price bracket. You should be able to find unregistered goats for the price range you're looking for.

My mini horse plays SOCCER with goats, but he's a turd in general. Our donkey a couple years ago wanted to kill them. My bigger horses could care less about the goats and actually will share hay with them...

My Nigis give anywhere from 2 to 4 lbs a day...

 

[roohound]

Thanks for the replies!

I didn't mean anything harsh about the bottle babies except for the fact I wasn't sure if that was done strictly for a pet option. To me, that seemed kind if wrong. However, I could see where that would be a good thing in regards to getting milk. I literally am just learning the ropes here and thought it would be presumptuous of me a potential goat owner to say, say bye to mom and her milk, kids, you have to depend on me now lol. But, if that would help with us bonding and not be cruel, I'd be up for it. I bottle fed a litter of orphaned kittens for a few weeks and I know how much work it was - yet it was so rewarding . Again, sorry if I ruffled any feathers , that was truly not my intent

 

[ksalvagno]

The goats would definitely help with brush clearing. I know other people have fenced in their wooded area because that was all they had to offer. I would worry about predators though. Especially if you can't see them out your window. Maybe do something like put them out there during the day and bring them in at night. Probably a good livestock guardian dog would be best for your situation. I love my guard llama but she couldn't take care of a pack of dogs or coyotes.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

It all depends on what you expect from your goats...as Roll said..she wants milk..so she has instilled herd practices that work for her. It is VERY common for dairy people to bottle raise kids.

You will find many differant types of farms here with many differant farm practices. Some raise for meat, goat, pigs, rabbits, poultry, beef, for slaughter. Some raise for dairy, for milk and cheese etc...some raise for fun and to have pets?? To each his own...but there is alot of great info here for you..whatever you choose!

I have Dairy Goats. But you said you wanted them as pets...so I would suggest a small breed. I would look around to see what appeals to you..and if you find something you can ask on a specific breed you find. That may help narrow down some of your questions on type of breed!

When I buy animals. IMO I go to a place where I can see the animal I am buying. Asking the owner alot of questions...and actually being right there to see their farm..etc...its helps alot.

Depending on how you choose to raise you goats...they do need vaccinations, rountine care etc..so they come with a bit of responsibility..but having animals now..you probally know that.!!

I recomend them highly!! I love goaties!!!

PS Welcome to BYH!!!!

Good luck in choosing!! Have fun looking!!

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Some folks don't like goats to be 'in your face'....I don't like to chase the little buggers down at hoof trim and vaccination time.

Amen. Chasing down a goat is the worst. Particularly when they need something they'd prefer not to have done. Day one is usually ok, but days 2-5 on something like oxytet, for example, is no good. They're smart enough to know what you're about to do but not smart enough to realize it's in their best interest.

 

[DonnaBelle]

I strongly recommend getting a couple of books and doing some research. Goats are amazing creatures, I had no idea how smart they were and also that they do require worming, and can have other medical issues.

I like the Storey's guide to books and I'm sure you could find some general goat books at your library.

Like most things in life, there's much more to it than "meets the eye".

DonnaBelle