Trying to get some Goats

[luvmypets]

I have an ex who still gets my goat from time to time.

Show your dad some of the baby goat videos on YouTube. When he quits laughing, he'll agree.

I will try, maybe just spam his phone with links to videos saying the benefits of goats !

 

[samssimonsays]

Hahaha good luck!

 

[Latestarter]

I hate to be a spoil sport as I know you've pretty much (now) gotten your heart set on these two... I would caution/reason against it for several reasons, many dealing with your selling points to dad. Don't get me wrong, I'd LOVE to see you get some goats! (just not these two )

As he said; "everyone around here does that", it indicates that there is a/some market for it... you just need to determine if the market can bear another participant... oh, and specifically "what" that market is... dairy products? meat goats? pet (kid/wether) sales? 4H kids for kids? etc. If you're going to "sell" the idea to dad based on cost recuperation/reduction, you need this info. Oh, and you'll also have to be willing to sell the offspring, not keep them (just sayin').

He said he doesn't want to breed them (you counter with baby goats are so cute and milk/dairy products). But only one of them is a dairy breed, (yes, I know Pygmies produce milk too, but they are primarily a meat breed) and I haven't heard any mention of her milking lines/history (dam/sire) and/or if she's ideal for milk purposes. And obviously, they have to be bred to produce milk... So, without breeding, they would end up being pets only, and an ongoing cost to maintain/keep.

You can talk about kids being so cute, and if he does "come around" to breeding them, what will you do with them? He'll most likely want them sold, and there's much less market ($$) for mixed breed goats... You'd be far better off with pure bred, even without papers. Perhaps you could check around locally and see what breeds are most popular/sell best? Which ones are most popular with 4H and FFA folks?

OK, done being the bad guy... I truly hope you and dad come to an "arrangement" where you can get a couple of goats. Just one other thing... I'd want to buy from a reputable breeder who tests for the most common diseases (CAE/CL/Johns) and will show you the test results. It may cost a little more, but could save you substantially in the long run.

 

[luvmypets]

Your not being the bad guy. Alll are very good points... (Honestly I just want them as pets) And the market around here is mostly milk/show goats. I can't afford goats with good lines at this time. I don't think we would want them as like business milkers maybe just so we could have a little(thats my plan anyways). Most milking does, or even doelings go for 300-450 for one animal. You are so right I have my heart set on these two, and I honestly don't care if they are top quality. I mean, my sheep aren't top quality and my dad loves em. Thanks for the advice though, I would love a doe in-milk but its just not an option atm

 

[Goat Whisperer]

Don't have time to do a long post right now, but several things I'd like to lay out. Latestarter does have some good points.

Those horns are a major concern.

We had sheep and goats together for a little bit. At first it was fine, but it then got to the point that the sheep would not stop ramming the goats. They were going to make my bred does abort. These were small sheep, maybe 80 pounds.

Are you going to be able to keep the ram away from the does come breeding season?

I have a friend who milks her pygmy/ND's. You won't get a lot, it depends on the doe. This cross wouldn't be bad if you are just looking to sell pets. In my area there isn't much of a price difference between unregistered NDs sold as pets and the ND Pygmy cross.

The biggest thing is having a separate area for them if they don't get along. You will want to quarantine them before put them with your other animals.

They probably aren't tested for the diseases mentioned above. I don't buy from anyone unless they are tested.

Sometimes it's better to pass on the cheaper animals and save up for a better quality animal. If you aren't looking to show etc, you could still call around to the breeders you mentioned. The kids you see might be $300+ but they are bound to have culls. The culls might be goats that don't have the best confirmation, udder, or don't milk the best. Most of these breeders test for at least CAE. You can be upfront with them. Tell them that you aren't looking for show quality goats.

 

[luvmypets]

Thanks for the advice. I'll look around to see if any breeders are looking to home so goats.

 

[luvmypets]

I just found two doelings from a breeder listed as pets for 100 each, and they also have been tested for the diseases @Samantha drawz mentioned. I really appreciate the advice guys. I definitely do not want to bring a sick animal into my herd.

edited to say: both of them are polled I believe.

 

[luvmypets]

I called my dad up and he told me he watched some of the videos

As I was talking to him he really seemed to be interested in the conversation. I think we are hopefully getting closer. And once more can I say, thank you to all the advice you guys gave me. I did some research on the diseases and they are nasty. Once more thank you guys so much !

 

[Latestarter]

All I can say is "WHEW!" It's real difficult once the heart gets involved... to use the head intsead.

 

[luvmypets]

Did some snooping on their FB and found out one of the doelings was the runt in a batch of triplet does.I'm anxiously awaiting a reply as I contacted the owner.