The famous question - What breed!

[OneFineAcre]

Do the 21 goats ever seem to get crowded on your acre? I was thinking about buying two and keeping them in a pen but now my options are more open.

Do you notice it to be quite a chore keeping thing cleaned? I mean.. I know cleaning up is always a hassle but it's never too much to handle.

Where would be a good place to look if you're trying to find a particular breed. Right now, I've been looking at Craigslist but they're all boers and Nubians.

My goats do fine. The 2 bucks have a pen that is about 30x75 with a lot of oak trees to lounge under, but nothing they can reach or eat anymore. I have someone come in and clean the sleeping/eating area once year and just spread it out in the field.

I have 10 does and 3 kids on my biggest pasture and that one is about 100x200 and I have the most goats in the smallest pen right now since everyone kidded. I have 6 does and 10 kids in a pen that is about 50x50 and even they aren't overly crowded, but I will move them around as they get older. I want the ones I milk separate so they are easier to catch

As far as cleaning, it isn't too bad. The only part of the pens that get really bad is where they eat and that is because the hay that they drop builds up. I also put out a lot of straw in the winter for them to sleep on so that gets deep too. I get my tractor in there 2x a year and haul out those areas. I actually spread it out in the rest of the pasture and the chickens have their way with it. Our soil is garbage so I am hoping that eventually all of the hay/straw/manure that I spread on the ground will allow me to grow some pasture. In my little pen I have individual kidding pens set up and those get shoveled out and cleaned before each doe kids and then again during the first 2 weeks. After that the does and thier kids get put into the general population.

I don't have a barn to worry about cleaning other than the one I milk in and they are only in there when I milk. The areas that they sleep and eat in are open air with covers and then tarps in the winter to block the wind.

Here are a couple pictures of my pens, you can see that there is plenty of open space.

http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/1856_farm_024.jpg http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/1856_farm_072.jpg

As far as where to find a particular breed I would check for goat clubs or 4H. I have access to any and every breed I would want through a dairy goat club and 4H.

Watch out, goats are an addiciton. I started with 3 does 5 years ago right now, counting kids I have 31. (shhh, don't tell DH)

Right with you. Started with 3 does 4 years ago and I'm up to 26 counting kids. Fortunately, a couple are getting ready to leave Friday. Going to get serious about selling 4 others too. Ideally, I'd like to get down to about 15.

 

[WannaBeFarmR]

Oberhasli were once called swiss alpine, they are so sweet. Look very alpine but most are smaller then alpines (those I have met anyway) and they are noted for being good producers and having sweet tasty milk. And mine are just adorable love bugs.

 

[Egg_Newton]

What about mini-nubian or mini-lamanchas? Supposed to get 3/4 the milk with 1/2 the feed... That's what I've heard but don't know if that's true.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Everbody has a tendency to advocate their breed, so let me do the same. I have Nigerians and I think you should get them too

Here's a good reason why though. You have a small location and you will essentially be dry lot. Nigerians have the best feed conversion ratio. That means the output of milk/butterfat in relationship to the input of feed. They are very sweet animals on top of that.

But, like babsbag said, try to establish a relationship with the local 4 H or a breeders organization in your area. For example, we are members of the North Carolina Dairy Goat Breeders Association. If you are not set on one particular breed, it may be best to find a great, reputable breeder with healthy animals in your vicinity. That is the most important thng, healthy animals. And, while this forum is helpful, it is much better to have a mentor in your area.

 

[rebelINny]

You like the Alpines but not the size. You like the size of the nigerian but they don't produce a whole lot of milk. Go for the middle man, a mini-alpine. There is a breeder in Texas. Her website is www.milkmaidranch.com she has great animals and high quality producers so you get both of best worlds. To get a mini-alpine you have a standard alp bred to a nigerian buck. The kids born are mini-alpine. They are smaller than the standard but produce alot more than the nigerian. Good luck

 

[xa.logan]

I never thought about mini's. Are the rumors about them true? Half the feed cost but 3/4 of the production? I want to start small, if I get two smaller goats, then I can justify more when the time arrives. Haha

 

[OneFineAcre]

I never thought about mini's. Are the rumors about them true? Half the feed cost but 3/4 of the production? I want to start small, if I get two smaller goats, then I can justify more when the time arrives. Haha

If you are looking at efficiency, no goats have a higher feed conversion ratio than Nigerians. By crossing the standards with Nigerians, you increase the efficiency, but still not as good as the Nigerians themselves.

 

[xa.logan]

I love efficiency. Thanks for reminding me.
Do you have any records or ideas about how much milk your Nigerians produce on average?

 

[OneFineAcre]

Our best milkers give over two quarts per day. We don't have any who have given less than a quart and 1/4 per day at peak lactation, and they are usually first freshners.

But, I've seen people on here who can't get a cup a day.

Buy good foundation animals to start your herd.

That's why I always recommend people buy registered animals from good milk lines. Buy good foundation animals. You will have to pay more upfront, but it will pay off for you in the long run.

 

[xa.logan]

Alright,

I've been doing a bit more research on this topic and finally found out that ND's milk fat content is 8-10%. The milk is supposedly DELICIOUS and I can imagine that to be true. But I was reading that some people have a bit of trouble drinking it daily (besides the obvious potential for weight gain) and using it for daily purposes (cereal, for example). Would it be wise to think about a hybrid knowing this? Or

A) would it be reasonable to suggest "watering the milk down" (Which sounds disgusting)
B) would having nigerian/pygmy crosses be something worth looking in to?
C) would it be easier to have a nigerian and an alpine (or some other large goat) to keep each other company.

I'm starting with 2 goats, just not sure which two yet. I like the idea of smaller goats, throwing a pygmy into the pedigree sounds like it could make the nigerian a little less bony if I ever resorted to chomping down on one.

I know most of this is going to be a case of "just try this and see how it works" but I'd like to research as much as possible first. I guess my questions could best be summarized as: is there a feasible way of reducing the fat content of the Nigerians milk to "more every day drinkable levels"? Would a nigerian/pygmy cross still lead to decent milk production? Would two different breeds have trouble getting along?

Thanks for tracking with me so far! You guys are the best.