Need help deciding on Breed

[hollymh]

Husband gave me the go ahead on getting some baby goats, I would like bottle babies, looking at Nigerians or Pygmies. Ive done research and I do want a smaller breed goat, they will have .75acre fenced to roam and graze, we are getting them for weed control. I currently have several dozen free range birds, an akbash and some rabbits. What is the minimum they will need for ranging? What breed would you recommend for a first timer? Where do I even start?!

 

[Latestarter]

Greetings @hollymh! Welcome back! LOTS of active goaties here and I'm sure they'll all have great advice and suggestions! If you have spare time, you could find a real wealth of info on the numerous goat threads. I'll start out by saying 3/4 of an acre for 2 goats will most likely NOT be enough and you will need to feed them hay, especially/obviously during the winter. You could build 2 goats a shelter (maybe 8'x8') and then a small pen say 12'x12' for them to spend most of their time in and then let them out to graze while you're there to supervise. They will eat any landscaping you've done in no time at all. They'll also destroy young trees in a blink.

What else do you want from your goats besides weed patrol? Will you be using them for meat, or do you want milk? Perhaps 4H down the road for the kids? Things to consider...

Anyway, glad you're back and look forward to enjoying the journey through your posts!

 

[hollymh]

Thanks! Well, I figured I would be giving them the hay with so little area, which I dont mind at all. I would consider milking and 4H too, but overall I have always wanted goats but never had the resources to own them until now! Mostly they will be kept for weed control. Now, I do have new trees in, will I be able to fence around them to keep the goats out? I appreciate the info! Im going to browse the forum for more info

 

[Latestarter]

Goats climb real well too... but yes, you can fence around the trees to keep the goats away from them. Little goats can stick their little heads through some pretty small spaces, so make sure the fencing isn't "open" enough for them to get their heads through/stuck Oh, they also like to rub their bodies against fencing... nothing quite like a good body scratching, so any fence needs to be well supported, or have hot wire so they don't WANT to touch it... Just one other caution... No doubt you've heard it before... goats are like tater chips... always want just "one" more! Make sure you leave yourself room for unanticipated "expansion" over time

 

[hollymh]

hahaha! Im finding with most of my animals I cant just have one!

 

[lkmartin1230]

I would suggest Nigerian dwarf goats. They are loving, affectionate, and give really sweet milk. They wouldn't need a whole lot of space as long as you keep 3 or 4, but all they really need is room to move, run, jump, and you feed them hay and sweet feed or something everyday. And if you plan on breeding make sure that there is enough room once babies arrive so pen/pasture is not over run.

 

[ragdollcatlady]

I vote for Nigis but that is because they are one of the breeds I have!

That size of pasture will be fine for 2 or 3 (or more). If it is just the goats and they are nigis, they may not be very good at controlling the weeds unless you have several. My boers are eating machines and 2 of those can clear a 1/4 acre in just a few weeks. My several nigis barely made a difference before we added the big goats (I do feed supplemental hay and grain regularly so that has to be factored in too). If you have alot of chickens or other poultry in the same field, they might help reduce the weeds quite a bit. Depends on what weeds you have and who wants to eat them. Definitely fence your trees well! Goats will destroy them if given the chance. Also be cautious of the amount and kind of food you feed to the poultry if they are in the same space, as goats love to eat chicken food, but it can be very bad for them if it is medicated or if they eat too much at one time.

 

[hollymh]

Thanks!!! I had no idea on the chicken food, the only thing they would have access to if scratch when I throw it out, which is an every now and then treat. I am think two, but would be ok with three, I think we are going with Nigerians, they seem to have the most personality after talking with you guys and other goat owners

 

[Latestarter]

Nigies are pretty classy little goats. They also have some of the highest butterfat content, making their milk really excellent/tasty. They're also a real good size for young children to handle in 4H and such.

 

[Pearce Pastures]

I like my NDs best for their personality and size. Weight-wise, they are going to be similar to a pygmy but are more trim in appearance. My pygmy is lazier and more chilled out which is nice too but I do love to watch the bouncy antics of the NDs.

They do have a significantly higher fat content in their milk which makes for awesome ice cream, cheese, and just plain old drinking milk.

Of showing, I will say that NDs are not necessarily easier than larger breeds. A ND will bounce and barrel roll in the show ring just as often as any other breed, even after months of rehearsal. However, if I need to move one somewhere, I can pick it up and set it where I want--not something so easily done with the big breeds.