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

[boykin2010]

i would really like honest opinions of everyone on here about breeds of goats. what is your favorite? i know it depends on what you are using them for. i have found many different opinions.

i want just a few goats for pets i want them to be friendly and for me to be able to at least pet them. i will not be milking and i probably wont get a buck anyway so it wont matter.

what kinds of goats do you have. how many goats do you have. is there anything that you like or dislike about the breeds that you have...

all opinions will go toward me deciding what breed to get. i may just get a mixed breeds but i am not sure yet.

 

[ksalvagno]

How much property do you have? How much space will the goats get?

I have Nigerian Dwarfs. I like them because they are small but don't get as round as Pygmies. I also milk so I wanted a dairy breed. Also, as I'm getting older, I want to deal with smaller sized animals. No matter how friendly they are, they aren't thrilled about toenail trimming, worming, etc.

Any goat breed could be very friendly. It just depends on how much time you spend with them and it helps if they are friendly to begin with.

If they are just going to be pets, then I would suggest wethers.

 

[boykin2010]

they will be on about 4 or 5 acres. i have just heard bad things about males so i am kinda scared about getting one

 

[ksalvagno]

Intact males (bucks) are the problems. They go into rut and stink and can also get aggressive when in rut. The wethers (neutered males) are much different. But even if you get females, you don't have to milk them or breed them if you don't want to.

 

[BetterHensandGardens]

I got two Nigerian Dwarves this summer because I wanted a smaller, friendly, dairy breed - they have been even friendlier and more affectionate than we expected. I also wanted something I could handle easily - really glad we went with the Nigerian Dwarves.

 

[jduffy01]

I have nigerians and fainting goats. I honestly love both. The nigerians are lighter but also faster and jump higher. The fainters are slower and don't jump much at all but weigh a lot more. I have bucks, does and wethers of both and none of mine are aggressive, even in rut. If you spend time with them when they are young they will be fine. I will say if you are just looking for a pet I would definitely get a wether ( neutered male.) Wethers are like big babies, they adore you and always want love. They are more affectionate than does or bucks and don't have the buck smell either. Nigerians are easier to find and both are about $100 for a wether. You could even get a hybrid of the two called a miniature silky fainting goat, but they are hard to find and more money. Good luck.

 

[lilhill]

My favorite ... Nigerian Dwarf. For years I raised and showed reg. Quarter horses and as I got older, I wanted small animals I can handle myself when it comes to maintenance.

I discovered the Nigerian's and been doing that for 6 years now. I currently have 24 does and 4 bucks. If handled properly from the beginning, Nigerian bucks are easily handled even when in rutt as I don't tolerate aggressive bucks.

 

[peachick]

I have not had any other breed but..... I have mini silky fainters.
They are beautiful to look at and have wonderful personalities. They dont climb like other breeds and I often turn them loose on the property when Im outside, they follow me around like dogs and come running when I call. At full height they are only 24 inches at the withers so very easy to handle... even the intact boys. And unlike some breeds they do graze on grass. So I really dont have a feed bill. The only down side of them is they are very addictive.

 

[Emmetts Dairy]

I have Toggenbergs! And I love em!! There a kind and gentle large dairy breed. Its all Ive ever had. They have wonderful dispositions. Never had a bad one!! I have to say!! All have been friendly and sweet!

I guess I should try others..but I really love these guys!! They are alot of fun!! I orignally got them because they do well in cooler climates and and their milking success. So living in NH...It seem appropriate. Since its snowing now..as Im writing. Just a flurry to remind us to get ready!! Winters coming!!

But I really think all goats are awesome, no matter what breed!!

 

[Birchhatchery]

can i just ask what is the difrence between a nigerian goat and a pygmy goat?