My first goat????

[doggettfarm]

So far, my wife and I have enjoyed our time raising chickens (and a few turkeys) for meat and eggs for our family and friends. We want to expand a little and try a goat or two for meat, not dairy. Can anyone direct me to a good breed for beginners as well as what to expect for pricing? From what I've read, they all seem to be pretty easy to deal with and grow remarkably fast.

Thanks!

 

[Mamaboid]

So far, my wife and I have enjoyed our time raising chickens (and a few turkeys) for meat and eggs for our family and friends. We want to expand a little and try a goat or two for meat, not dairy. Can anyone direct me to a good breed for beginners as well as what to expect for pricing? From what I've read, they all seem to be pretty easy to deal with and grow remarkably fast.

Thanks!

I strongly recommend Fainters or Myotonics. They are easy to care for, hardy, parasite resistant, come in all sizes and colors, don't (can't) jump fences and their meat is said to be tenderer than others because of the myotonia. Here are a couple links to help.

http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/myotonicgoats.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/nov/05/fainting-goats-explained

http://www.goatspots.com/rfaintingfarm.html

 

[ksalvagno]

Are you talking about breeding or just growing a couple out till butcher?

 

[doggettfarm]

Thanks for the info. We just want to grow them till butcher. We're in central Alabama and there's a boer breeder nearby, but they may be a little pricey just for meat.

 

[ksalvagno]

Find livestock auctions in your area or sale barns. You could probably pick up cheaper goats there. Also keep your eye out on Craigslist ads.

 

[doggettfarm]

We have auctions in the area, but I wouldn't know one breed from the other and I don't want to get taken by someone who may be less than honest. I know that the auctions nearby sell kids for around $15, but I have no idea what breed they are.

 

[Cabinchick]

So far, my wife and I have enjoyed our time raising chickens (and a few turkeys) for meat and eggs for our family and friends. We want to expand a little and try a goat or two for meat, not dairy. Can anyone direct me to a good breed for beginners as well as what to expect for pricing? From what I've read, they all seem to be pretty easy to deal with and grow remarkably fast.

Thanks!

I strongly recommend Fainters or Myotonics. They are easy to care for, hardy, parasite resistant, come in all sizes and colors, don't (can't) jump fences and their meat is said to be tenderer than others because of the myotonia. Here are a couple links to help.

http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/myotonicgoats.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2009/nov/05/fainting-goats-explained

http://www.goatspots.com/rfaintingfarm.html

x 2.

C

 

[MrsDieselEngineer]

If you are just raising a couple from spring to fall to eat, then it won't really matter which meat breed you go for. Boers might give you more meat but I haven't raised the fainters before so don't know how fast they put on meat.

 

[20kidsonhill]

boer goats are going for around $2 to $3 a lb live weight right now, so a 30lb kid may run between 60 and 90 dollars for meat, If it is registered or breeding stock then the price is higher.


Look up boer goats on google. Pretty much you are looking for white body and brown head, although some are tan headed. Some are solid red. You want something to look like they have finish(muscle) on them, even when young, the thickness of their bone in their leg is important, the more bone a meat animal has the more muscle they can carry on their frame.

go to your auctions and watch a couple. It is interesting.

You will want to feed them out, until they are around 85 to 100lbs. 6 to 8 months of age.

You may also find boer breeders in your area and ask about orphans or bottle babies. If they aren't a high-end blood-line you may get a good deal.

Although with meat prices so high right now, they are all going to seem a little pricey.

A boer goat that is 120 lbs.