what type of goats do you like and what kinds do you have???

[boykin2010]

ok well i think i will have a lot of time to think about it and i will decide what i want... i may buy a male goat to breed with my does then get him fixed afterward.

 

[jduffy01]

Personally I think the stink is an individual goat thing. I have a couple bucks of both kinds I mentioned (fainters, nigerians) and i can honestly say that 1 fainter stinks more than the other and the same goes for the nigerians, although of my herd the nigerians smell less. My bucks are great, we spend alot of time with them. I think they get a bum reputation from the bucks no one spends time with. You can always pay a stud fee for your does to be bred. As for a companion I have great pyrenees. They are not only a companion but will protect the goats if (more like when) predators come around.

 

[rebelINny]

MINI-ALPINES are THE best!! I do love most kinds of goats though but I am lucky enough to own Alpines, mini-alpine's and a couple of mixed dairy does. They are all great. I have also owned Nubian, Boer and Lamancha. They are all terrific. Its a goat thing.

 

[bettybohemian]

I have 2 pygora does (fiber goats), 2 nigerian does, 1 nigi buck and 1 nigi wether. My buck was a 4H goat so he is very sweet, came halter trained. He's my fave, not very smelly. Followed by Lucy the one nigi doe and Poppy the pygora. Zooey the pygora is the queen and she can be a handful. I shutter at the thought of a fullsized goat with her attitude!

 

[Ariel301]

I raise LaManchas, both full size and mini. The minis are a mix between LaManchas and Nigerian Dwarfs. Mini-Manchas are perfect as pets. They are small (under 100 pounds) so they are less intimidating than one of the big ones to children or someone not used to handling a large animal, and also take up less room and eat less food. The big ones are great pets also. LaManchas in general have an incredibly sweet, doglike personality, they just love to be around you and be part of your life. (They're some of the best milkers too!) Their ears make them a little unusual, it takes a bit to get used to a goat without the big floppy ears, but personally....I think Mancha kids with their little ear-nubs are the cutest there are. My avatar is my young LaMancha buck, he loves petting and tries to climb in my lap to be cuddled. The older buck I used for breeding this year was so mild that a friend's 4 year old daughter was dragging him around my yard by beard. They're just that laid back, I have never met a mean one. They're quiet too, and love going for walks or car rides.

The only downside I have found to them is that you have to deal with people always asking why you cut their ears off. I've started telling people that we clip them off at a young age to make kid-ear sandwiches, and offer to make them one to try. I got asked about the ears so many times at the county fair this year that next year I am going to make a sign about the ears and hang it on the door of their stall.

As for bucks...if they are raised and trained right, they can be very sweet and gentle. But, during mating season, even the gentlest one can get unpredictable if there are females around, and can tear things up or chase and butt people. The biggest reason a buck shouldn't be a pet is the stink. Most of them are really awful, and if you get the smell on you it is hard to wash off. I suppose frequent baths might help with that, but that's a lot of work...I would not recommend a buck unless you are serious about raising kids...if you just want to try it once or twice for fun, it is likely someone would loan you the services of their buck.

 

[Hobby Farm]

I have Obies and Alpines. Definetly prefer the Obies. Quiet, gentle, curious, and they are smarter than the Alpines. Mine are also our best milkers as far as consistancy, milk quality, and taste of milk. My Alpines are bossy and rude and their milk tastes watered down.

 

[KellyHM]

I have Nubians and they are absolutely the sweetest things! Both of my bucks are even sweeter than the does, even during breeding season, always sticking their noses in my face for "kisses." They're all very sweet and easy to work with/on. Even if they get mad and "fight" you they are never mean - just try to get away.

I had 1 Pygmy who was the most obnoxious goat ever! She was very sweet and I loved her, but she screamed constantly for food if she could see/hear me anywhere, was the pushiest thing I ever met, and bossed all the Nubians around, even the bucks.

I have always wanted fainters, but they're hard to find around here. I LOVE the mini silky fainters, but I ddon't think they would do well in FL b/c of the heat.

I recently fell in love with Nigerians b/c of all the colors and their size, but I'm really trying to talk myself out of getting another breed!