Introduction

[Yakudima]

I practice open grazing and we are free from predators, before going out to graze I use to dilute maize opal to make them breakfast and I have 63 include the local and exotic breed.
Goats milk is not popular in Nigeria, Nigerian prefer cow milk, only three in hundred can accept goat milk but in time they will consider it.

Welcome -- from Virginia, USA. I have goats...dairy & meat. Boer & Savannah are found in my area, easily.

Do you fence or open graze there? Your situation is probably far different than ours with farm land, graze & browse available -- also predators. Tell us how you operate. How many head do you run?

 

[Yakudima]

Thanks!
I operate open grazing but I can give some food in the morning I have 60+ goats in my farm different breed and crossbreed

 

[Mini Horses]

In India goat milk is most used. Major goat dairies.

My area of USA requires fencing. Goats are often challenged by fence -- to prove they can escape . Mine can do well with free graze, if I shepard them as they will move with me. Some trained dogs would sure help I have self owned acreage for pasture & browse....fenced. There is no government/public land useable near me.

As you free range, do you come to a night containment? Are your meat markets open for your sales? Is there home butchering issues?

Interesting to learn other country farming styles.

 

[Yakudima]

In India goat milk is most used. Major goat dairies.

My area of USA requires fencing. Goats are often challenged by fence -- to prove they can escape . Mine can do well with free graze, if I shepard them as they will move with me. Some trained dogs would sure help I have self owned acreage for pasture & browse....fenced. There is no government/public land useable near me.

As you free range, do you come to a night containment? Are your meat markets open for your sales? Is there home butchering issues?

Interesting to learn other country farming styles.

We don't have problem with the buyers because they will buy The goats at your site in good price for breeding or starting new farm, the butcher buy weaned males or old females no matter how many there are. We don't have issues at night because the herder is always at farm.

 

[SageHill]

Welcome to BYH from Southern California. I've got sheep here - Dorper and Dorper crosses.

 

[Yakudima]

Welcome to BYH from Southern California. I've got sheep here - Dorper and Dorper crosses.

I like sheep because of they simple minds but I don't have 1, are sheep produce more kids like goat doing two times in a year?

 

[Baymule]

I raise Katahdin hair sheep. In accelerated breeding you can get 3 lamb crops in 2 years but I mostly breed them once a year. Almost all my ewes have twins.
They are pregnant 5 months and I wean lambs at 3 months old.

 

[SageHill]

I like sheep because of they simple minds but I don't have 1, are sheep produce more kids like goat doing two times in a year?

So far I’m 1-2 breedings a year. I’m new to this end of it. I used sheep to teach and train herding dogs since 1990, and learned how to do that fro 1982 to 1990. There are others here who can answer your question far better than I. Part of what makes these forums so great.

 

[Mini Horses]

So you don't have much market for milk -- and it's a time consuming chore -- do you even use it at home? I do use my dairy goats for milk, cheese, yogurt, soap, etc. I sell some for drinking and soap makers. It's not my income support, just an enjoyable sideline. Some trained milkers are sold, too.

You appear to be way younger than me. I'm semi retired and the income from my goats is purely to pay for their upkeep not mine. But, I do use their gifts of sustainable food.

Meat breeds give me 2-3 kidding over 2 yrs. My dairy are seasonal breeders, so 1 kidding a year. I often crossbreed them to a meat buck...just for kids to bring more money when young. If I want more dairy kids to raise up, then I use dairy buck.

 

[Yakudima]

So you don't have much market for milk -- and it's a time consuming chore -- do you even use it at home? I do use my dairy goats for milk, cheese, yogurt, soap, etc. I sell some for drinking and soap makers. It's not my income support, just an enjoyable sideline. Some trained milkers are sold, too.

You appear to be way younger than me. I'm semi retired and the income from my goats is purely to pay for their upkeep not mine. But, I do use their gifts of sustainable food.

Meat breeds give me 2-3 kidding over 2 yrs. My dairy are seasonal breeders, so 1 kidding a year. I often crossbreed them to a meat buck...just for kids to bring more money when young. If I want more dairy kids to raise up, then I use dairy buck.

I didn't try it at my home but I will in this season, as milk and yogurt but the soap and cheese I don't know how to make it.
What all we consider is the breeder and meat to our society.