Ughh I don't know what to do!!!!!! Should I get goats or not???

[CountryGirl]

I really want to get a couple goats for milking next summer but I really don't know much about them. I have chickens and I used to have a rabbit I also have a barn and some acreage. But what I worried about is that when I got my rabbit I only researched about taking care of them and owning them for like 2 months before I bought her. So I knew how to take care of her but not really, and she ws my first rabbit. When I got chickens I researched and read about them for months and months before I got them. So I really, really knew how to take care of them. The rabbit ended up dieing because she got sick and she was only 3 years old!!!!! And the chickens are fine. I feel like its my fault that she died and that I didn't deserve to own her.....she was so special.

So what I'm worried about is that I'm not going to know enough to take care of them and it won't be fair to them. So do you think I should get them in the summer or not? If I research and read enough about them all winter like I did with the chickens will it be okay? Can anyone recomeend some good websites about caring for goats or books from the library?

 

[Bryannjamie]

Goats are awesome. We started out like you with chickens and rabbits. With goats, researching the fence is a biggie. I mean real big! And they dont like to be alone so you need more than one large animal. I thought it had to be another goat but they do well with donkeys or dogs as long as they are always together. Lastly the water source, especially if you live in a cold climate- they drink a lot.

 

[nmred]

YES! GET GOATS! Seriously, you will love them. I think that studying throughout the winter will be a help, but, really, you will never know everything and you learn best by doing.

A good site to go to for info is, of course, this one and also fiascofarm.com. There are many others too, but these are my favorites. Our library has many good books about raising goats. Look at yours and read them all, then purchase your favorites that you keep refering back to.

Sorry to hear about your rabbit. But I want to encourage you that it probrably wasn't your lack of knowledge that caused the problem, but just was "one of those things." I doubt that it would happen with goats (unless you're really unlucky).

Again, GET GOATS! You won't be sorry.

 

[freemotion]

Critters die. That is just a hard fact. Goats die. That is a hard fact, too. But you can't live your life based on fear.....and you haven't lived until you've been owned by goats! Goats are by far my favorite animals...I love almost all animals, but goats are certainly the most fun.

Mutt goats can be more hardy, so I'd go in that direction if you are worried. And do read everything. It is NOT insurance, but it will help you to notice more quickly when something is not quite right, then come here and ask.

Just get the goats! Do it, do it, do it!!!

Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

 

[CountryGirl]

Critters die. That is just a hard fact. Goats die. That is a hard fact, too. But you can't live your life based on fear.....and you haven't lived until you've been owned by goats! Goats are by far my favorite animals...I love almost all animals, but goats are certainly the most fun.

Mutt goats can be more hardy, so I'd go in that direction if you are worried. And do read everything. It is NOT insurance, but it will help you to notice more quickly when something is not quite right, then come here and ask.

Just get the goats! Do it, do it, do it!!!

Bwahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

Haha! Thanks!!! I went to the county fair over the summer and went in the chicken barn, the horse barn and the rabbit barn but then I went in the goat barn and stayed their the WHOLE day!!! They all had their own personalities and were so funny and lovable!!! Thats when I really fell in love with them. And an old lady who had like 20 some of her goats competing their let me milk one......and then I was hooked. Well actually I was hooked after I saw the babies....she actually let my sister HOLD one of the babies!!!!!! And now I want to get them. But thanks everyone for encouraging me!!!!! I think I will get them in the summer....but we'll see.

 

[warthog]

I had my goats now for just over a year, and cannot stress the importance of research.

But they are wonderful, lovely animals and all have their own personalities, some are just so sweet natured it makes you want to cry.

But get goats you must, you will only wish you had done it sooner.

Don't beat yourself up about your bunny, when an animal dies, we all ask why, what did we do wrong. You did everything you could and gave that bunny a good life. Everything dies sometime.

Get reading those books and web sites and GET GOATS.

 

[doo dah]

An excellent book to read is Storey's guide to dairy goats. I own and love it and it gives great details on how to care for a goat (of course, remember that animals don't always "go by the book" ).

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

Im sorry about your rabbit!! That stinks...but everyone has thier time..and all you can do is your best!!

As for goats!! Love em!!! would'nt live without em..unless I could'nt tend to them anymore..even then..I might pay someone to do that just for the sheer enjoyment I get from them! They are alot of fun and have wonderful personalities!! And they give so much!!! Wonderful animals!!

I had to put my buck down this past summer to UC (stones) and I was heart broken...but you move on and keep going...that would never stop me from owning animals!! You do the best you can..and get all the information you can..and keep them healthy and thats all you can do...somethings are just not in our hands sometimes...

I got another buck in August to replace the one we lost...and he is fabulous!!!

But I says YES!! Get em!! You will love em!! I promise!!!

I guess the best advice is to make sure you have a good sense of humor!! And they have a way of trying your patience sometimes!! Goats are curious creatures..and I always say..goats could get in trouble in a empty room!! So if you have patience and a good sense of humor go for it!!!

 

[dhansen]

I would say YES again to goats. A good fence...an absolute must! My Nigerians can climb trees, but my nubians don't

I would also make sure whatever goats you choose are friendly. There is nothing worse than chasing a goat when you have to clip hooves or gives shot! Also, the friendly goats are much easier to love and call pets!

 

[savingdogs]

Sorry about your bunny, but let it go....your bunny probably had a great life, and was just its "time."

We got goats two years ago after thinking about it a long time. We went to the fair wanting to check out the goat barn and stayed there the whole day, too. We actually met our babies there although we did not know it at the time. We found a local person who mentored us and helped us set up our barn. It was really helpful to know what stores around here were a good value and what mineral was the right one for our area, what hay barn has good hay, etc. We found all her advice to be very correct and it helped us know what to do the first few weeks. They were with local 4H but were happy to help us even though we are fully adult lol!

We never, EVER thought we would love the goats this much. We thought chickens were funny and interesting but they don't even compare to the goats.