New to Goats- Questions

[BackyardFarmer03]

I am thinking about getting some goats to raise and sell. I would prefer a meat breed to avoid daily milking. Would I be able to sell a meat goat? How much would it cost roughly to get some young goats to raise? What are some popular meat breeds? I have about 3.5 acres, about 1 acre could be pasture. How many goats can thrive on 1 acre of pasture?

 

[Chirpy]

Boers are considered one of the best breeds for meat.

The cost to purchase one will vary greatly depending on the area of the country that you live. Some people can get one for $40 and some people have to pay a couple hundred - you will need to research your local area to find out the prices there.

When you are researching cost you will also be able to get an idea if they are easily sold in your area or if they are so plentiful that people can't sell them. Some areas have so many of certain animals that people can't give them away and some areas have such a high demand for certain animals that people can charge high prices and get it.

You could easily have multiple goats on one acre - However, I'll let someone with more experience in that area answer. I supplement my goats ranging time with feed as I milk and want the milk to keep the same flavor. I know it would also depend on how much there is for the goats to eat and if that would supply them year round or if you would need to also bring in feed for them.

 

[wynedot55]

1ac will carry 6 or 8 goats.if your other 2.5acs is brushy you could carry 12 more goats.boer goats are a meat breed of goat.

 

[BackyardFarmer03]

Thanks for the replys. Would the Boer goats still need to be milked?

 

[wynedot55]

no when they kid the nannies will raise the kids.

 

[TxMom]

I think that is true of any breed of goat. I don't think you have to milk any goat...please correct me if I'm wrong. A mama goat will only have milk after she kids, and the kids will drink the milk themselves. You only milk the goat if YOU want the milk.

 

[wynedot55]

your right you dont have to milk them less you want to.or the nanny wont dry up.

 

[kstaven]

I am thinking about getting some goats to raise and sell. I would prefer a meat breed to avoid daily milking. Would I be able to sell a meat goat? How much would it cost roughly to get some young goats to raise? What are some popular meat breeds? I have about 3.5 acres, about 1 acre could be pasture. How many goats can thrive on 1 acre of pasture?

Telling what part of the country you live in and what is growing in the pasture will help us to give a ballpark on how many boer goats per acre you may be able to support.

 

[BackyardFarmer03]

I live in western Pa. The pasture is mainly grass/weeds with some higher weeds and bushes on the edges.

 

[()relics]

Boers are probably the best goat to raise for meat purposes. They should be with their kids for 60-100 days then allowed to "dry out" in preparation for their next years kid. True enough boer goat kids will "finish" on pasture but if you are looking for the fat "top dollar" market kids you will be feeding concentrate to them, especially the wethers. Left on the pasture the kids never really get that market fat that is desired by the consumer.
I keep all my wethers in a dry lot and feed them concentrates, mineral and unlimited hay, until they are at market weight. My doelings and replacement bucklings are pastured with supplemental feed until they reach breeding age/weight.
...just what I do...but I raise fullbloods/purebred for show purposes and market the rest asap to make room for the next potential "National Champion"