Lots of questions from a soon to be first time goat caregiver

[SixFizzle]

Hello BYH! First, I want to say that I have read through lots of threads and I am almost a little overwhelmed with all the information on this site. I use Back Yard Chickens as well and have found it very helpful in raising my 3 hens.

My boyfriend and I just bought a piece of property in the Eastern Panhandle of WV and are planning to add to our herd. Our goal is to be as self-sustaining as possible. We want to increase our flock to increase egg production, add some meat chickens, goats for milk and a couple pigs for meat. We plan to grow our herd number slowly to ensure all the animals are receiving the care they deserve and we aren't overwhelmed with the chores. (I work in Veterinary medicine so happy, healthy animals are priority #1). I'm also hoping to do it as naturally as possible but am not completely against treating medically when needed. Obviously, good husbandry is a great way to reduce the need for lots of antibiotics and wormers. On to the questions:

1) Based on my research, I am leaning towards Lamanchas for a breed for volume and butterfat content. We are a family of 3 so 2 Lamanchas might be too much milk but the extra can always go to the other animals. Or should I consider a smaller breed? Any that have a similar butterfat content? Any advice on how to find quality, reputable breeders?

2) The property is 9 acres and mostly wooded (which the goats will love, right?). My boyfriend has had goats in the past (when he was a kid) and his family kept them chained. I can't get behind chaining any animal so would a movable paddock work? How hard are these things to keep contained? We have some metal horse fence gates that we plan to line with goat gate or some other similar wire fence. Would this be sufficient or am I kidding myself (ha. pun intended)?

3)With this kind of set up, can I safely assume that the goats will get most of their feed from browsing and I would just supplement with grain and hay? Have any of you sprouted grains for your herd?

Thanks in advance for any advice or assistance you can provide this newbie!

 

[animalmom]

Let me recommend Nigerian Dwarf goats if you are concerned that the LaManchas would be too much. Wonderful milk, smaller goat, high butterfat... what more could I say? I think the LaMancha is a wonderful goat, great personality and great production. I like my little Nigerians and find them a great fit for us, since there are only 2 of us. We make cheese and yogurt with our extra milk, and freeze some of it to carry us over the time when we are not milking. You can easily do the same with your extra milk regardless of goat variety.

Southern by Choice could probably advise you on goats and wooded acreage. If she doesn't respond you might want to drop her a line.

Good luck with your farm. Going slow is good for both you and the animals so neither of you will be overwhelmed.

Keep up posted with your progress, pictures and stories. We love hearing from and helping new people almost as much as we love baby pictures... and we love, love, love baby pictures.

 

[kinder]

Hi there, Sixfizzle.. I'm not much good at advice yet, because I'll just be starting out this spring with my choice goat. The Kinder. because of its size, butter fat at 5.5-7%, and duel purpose meat. Of course I have to go get them in Pa. I also did the same with a choice of Wyandotte chickens. Good luck in what direction you choose.

 

[SixFizzle]

Thank you both! The Nigerian Dwarfs are SO cute. I'm a tall lady (6'2") so I'm a little concerned it would be tough to milk such a little goat but my plan is to visit a few local farms and try. Maybe I can build them a milking ramp. HAHA

I am seriously so excited. I've wanted a farm since I was a little girl and my dream is finally being realized! We're building our cabin now. 24'x24' with a loft. A friend gave us a bunch of sliding glass doors for a greenhouse and some fencing for the animals. I will post pictures galore!

 

[Southern by choice]

Welcome to BYH!!!!!!!

Yes ... lots of info! Don't get overwhelmed though...one day at a time and you will be an addict too... oops did I say that out loud?
JK!

We have both the Dwarf and the Lamancha and we have the mini-mancha. Hmmmm where to begin.... we had our dwarfs first but over time I had just REALLY wanted the Lamancha and then came our beautiful Millie! Then came our first mini-mancha from Millie.

The following is my opinion and experience....

Advantages and disadvantages....
~Large dairy breeds are harder on the land than the dwarfs.
~Large dairy breeds eat more than dwarfs.
~Large dairy goats can strip trees faster and are more likely than dwarfs.
~Large (at least most) dairy goats are seasonal breeders.
~Dwarfs breed year round.
~Large dairy goats have larger teats and can be easier to milk depending on the size of your hands.
~Large dairy goats produce more milk.
~Large dairy goats tend to have a hard time recouping body condition after kidding and during lactation.
~Large dairy goats are stronger and heavier ... something to keep in mind when treating for anything and also routine hoof care.
~The dwarfs are much gentler on the land.
~Dwarfs are smaller and much easier to handle and work with.
~Dwarfs can have very good out put if pretty good milking lines. ~The range for dwarfs varies more in a way than the larger dairy goats. A larger dairy goat that is smaller in size and not coming from "great" milking lines is still going to produce a good amount of milk. The dwarfs really will have a rang from low,mid, to high....and the pricing will reflect that.
~Feed to production conversion is better with the Dwarfs.
~Dwarfs commonly produce twins and triplets and can easily manage without having to pull kids. Many produce quads- not very desirable though.
~Large dairy goats commonly have singles/twins... unusual for triplets.
~Dwarfs teat size can be a real challenge sometimes.
~Dwarfs tend to have less issue with internal parasites (this also depends on many other factors such as management, region, etc)
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The Lamancha is a hard goat to describe... ask anyone who has one... People who own them adore them...simply adore them and love them and wouldn't have it any other way.... so forgive me when I chuckle and tell you... BUT..
They are highly intelligent and very very very calculating.
My daughter says that is why they are so quiet... they never make a sound... it is because they are planning... probably to take over the world. Sweet and friendly but can figure out locks etc and NEVER have one with HORNS! I refer to ours as the naughty goat but cannot really explain it. She doesn't try to escape... none of our goats do, but she will be the first to jump up or climb on something and always wants to be the boss of the herd. She is a BRAT! Her daughter the mini-mancha is like her momma but DIS-BUDDED, and just as sweet and smart. Her name is "Trouble".
We our LAMANCHA! Would not be without one.
The dwarfs... can not say a bad thing about a dwarf ever! They are the perfect goat in a smaller package. Very pet like and lovable.
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So that was probably NO help.
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As far as woods... GOATS LOVE IT! It is ideal! Spring through fall they can get much of their nutrition through this. IMO providing some hay is still good. They will do best to have free-choice minerals around however during the heavy forage months may not eat it because they tend to know when they need it. In the lean months good hay and feed is important.
There are a few things to remember, your milk taste will be affected by their forage. That is why many dry lot and feed a controlled hay/feed diet. The farther away they are you will need to get them to your milk-room.
This management style also reduces parasite problems because they are not eating off the ground.
We rotate our Kikos throughout heavy woods and we use hotwire tape for sections... set up and the goats stay for so many weeks in an area then are moved BEFORE they dead-kill it. They can dead-kill very quickly so if you want food to grow back you need to move them. Our dairy goats are moved around but they are not left in the areas... they would die if they couldn't see the house. We have both hard fencing and a front field that is hotwire tape only... and that is on the highway. They do not challenge the hotwire.
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The breeding thing is an important one... I love having the ability to stagger my does so we have ample production year round.
BTW- the mini manchas are awesome... just sayin'
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Hope some of this helps.

 

[woodsie]

I wouldn't be overly concerned with having too much milk if you like the lamanchas and have the room for them. Remember that the goat will have to be dried off between freshenings so you could just milk one for 6 months, the other for 6 months. You will probably find all sorts of uses for the milk anyhow and on a farm nothing goes to waste (chickens or dogs will love any extra).
Good luck on going slow…it seems once you start, it is very hard not get hooked and be dragging and partrolling for all sorts of critters.

 

[BrownSheep]

Also pigs love milk!

 

[elevan]

Some great advice there Southern by choice!

Welcome to BYH @SixFizzle !

 

[Mike CHS]

I often see teat size of the Dwarfs as being an issue but I was wondering how much of an issue. Is a milker like the Udderly EZ Goat Milker something that might be an option?

 

[cindyg]

I often see teat size of the Dwarfs as being an issue but I was wondering how much of an issue. Is a milker like the Udderly EZ Goat Milker something that might be an option?

I have Nigerian Dwarf does and have no trouble milking them. I do it both by hand and with a little vacuum pump thing. One doe hates being milked by hand but stands just fine for the other. The more you milk, the bigger the teats get it seems to me.