So I finally talked DH into getting goats...

[Henrietta23]

Funny you should say that! I just called my vet's office because I know he has goats, but wasn't sure if he treats other people's goats (he doesn't-he only does small animals and his own goats) Anyway, the receptionist told me he's got 4 young oberhaslis available, two does and two bucks. DH is closer to agreeing to this than ever. I'm planning and scheming away here, where to house them, etc. They are very pretty goats!

 

[glenolam]

Since you live in Eastern CT you can bring your goats to the vet in Woodstock - it's a Tufts University school, but with great vets who are teaching vet students.

I brought my two kids to them to be disbudded and they did a great job.

There's also a lot of goat "farmers" in our area who can also help you out in a bind. I know of someone in Putnam, Ashford and Canterbury (my neighbor), although my neighbor doesn't do much of the maintenance herself, she brings her goats to Tufts.

 

[Henrietta23]

Cool! The vet himself uses a vet in Chaplin for things he doesn't do himself. That's one town over from me. Great for routine stuff. The folks up at Tufts saved my friend's sheep when she was attacked by a dog this winter. Amazing job and great people!
I called back from more info on the does but missed them. I'll try again in the morning. I'm not ready for them yet so hopefully he'll hold them until we are ready. I worked with him years ago so hopefully he'll cooperate

 

[mamaluv321]

I'm still undecided about what breed I want/need. I thought I wanted Nigerian dwarfs but now I'm not so sure. I definitly need smaller goats just because of lack of space and food supply; I'm hoping to have the majority of their food come from locally attained veg scraps. But I've been reading that nigi's are very noisy and will want to keep the peace with neighbors and such...oh, what to do?

 

[Henrietta23]

Again, we're in the same situation. I think I've settled on Oberhaslis, if in fact they really are available, and if I can afford them. They're midsized and not as noisy as some. Good luck with your decision! Get out there and meet some goats!!

 

[glenolam]

My Nigerian Dward mix wether isn't really that noisey...he's mixed with Nubian and Alpine blood lines, too...

My neighbor through the woods (who's really a street over and down the road) has pygmies as well as dwarfs and they are all constantly talking to each other (mine and hers), so I can't say who is more quiet. I guess it all depends on who lives around you and who the animals have to talk to...

Magari, you're always more than welcome to visit my house to see my goats and possibly help you in your decision. Just PM me!

 

[SarahFair]

I just found some Obers (how do you pronounce?) O-bur-haa-slee? (best I could do lol)
They are ADGA reg and "show quality" for $350. That is going to take some convincing on my part!
She was asking $250 in her ad which stated "Babies have all been disbudded, vaccinated, and dewormed, but are still on the bottle for another month. Prices will go up once they are weaned. "
That was April 11 then she sends me an email last night stating that they were now $350??

Is that high?

 

[Henrietta23]

I just found some Obers (how do you pronounce?) O-bur-haa-slee? (best I could do lol)
They are ADGA reg and "show quality" for $350. That is going to take some convincing on my part!
She was asking $250 in her ad which stated "Babies have all been disbudded, vaccinated, and dewormed, but are still on the bottle for another month. Prices will go up once they are weaned. "
That was April 11 then she sends me an email last night stating that they were now $350??

Is that high?

I can't really answer the question, having never bought livestock before. I think it may depend on where you are. Here in CT that's about what I see for purebred goats, except for NDs which seem to run about $100 higher if they can be registered.
I still don't know what my vet is asking for his. I hope to find that out today.

 

[mamaluv321]

I think for my first goats I'm going to get a couple of crosses, seems to be the economical choice. I'm not going to be showing or breeding for money and I do know someone who has Nubians (as well as a buck) but I still have alot of research to do... Milking, cheese making, soaps, can't wait!

 

[michickenwrangler]

Oberhaslis are fairly rare, they're one of the endangered breeds on the ALBC list. I would say the price is fair considering you're on the East Coast and you're dealing with a hard to find breed. In Michigan, there are about 9.5 million people ... only 3 breed Oberhaslis.

They are pretty though!