considering getting goats

[chickens454]

so we found this lady on Facebook that has some goats. she has 2 three year olds and a 6 moths old she dosent know the breeds but she says that there average goats. they haven t ever been milked but one has a kid before (that's the 6 month old). I plan on getting one of the 3 year olds and then breeding it once it settles down. I have a friend who has bucks. i want to be able to milk her. I'll figure out her feeding system and feed according to that. we have no shelter or enclosed built but we can get one built if we are for sure getting the goat.(any tips on strong build are welcome) i plan on doing a wood fence and adding some strong wire around that. for the shelter...probuly a small shed from lowes either that or we build one.any need for a heat lamp if shes by herself? I understand they need a buddy but i will be out there with it 24/7 and so I was wondering If it would be ok till it kids. also if someone could explain milking to me ...the schedule of breeding them and drying them up,weaning the kid off milk and how often to breed.

 

[chickens454]

also when do you tell the female has been fertilized?

 

[Southern by choice]

Let me start off with Welcome to BYH!

Now, about the goats.
Buy TESTED GOATS!
This will save you money and heartbreak in the long run.
There are several diseases that are really critical in goats. The goats may look healthy but still have these.
If you plan on milking you will want these goats tested. Far too many bring home goats and they get attached they love them etc and then crisis hits... happens quite often, many threads on this board about it. Please BUY tested goats.

CAE - goat disease- not zoonotic
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/gener...verview-of-caprine-arthritis-and-encephalitis
http://waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu/animal-disease-faq/cae

CL- ZOONOTIC
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/circ...itis/caseous-lymphadenitis-of-sheep-and-goats
http://waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu/animal-disease-faq/caseous-lymphadenitis

Johnes-ZOONOTIC
https://johnes.org/goats/faqs.html


As far as a buddy- yes, they are herd animals and need a buddy- people are nice but not the same. They need another goat.

 

[chickens454]

the lady has had them for a long time were would I go to get tested goats?

one reason we are possibly getting these is because she also has ducks that i am getting because they are the only females i have been able to find.but she lived an hour thirty in my opinion its not worth the drive for one duck but if we were getting the goats it would be a diffrent story.

 

[chickens454]

is there anyway I could get the goats tested once there bought?

 

[chickens454]

the only delay is convincing my husband. if I can convince him to let me get one at least mabey two then I may decide to get them else were but I'm gonna talk to him tonight about it and well see how it goes

 

[Southern by choice]

Responsible breeders do test. Even good breeders of unregistered goats will test.
Yes, you can test them, but better to do so where they are and NOT put them on your land til you have results.

If you can draw blood then you can do that and send the tubes out to any number of labs.
If you cannot them you would need a vet or tech or someone who does know how.

Just an FYI- when you asked what kind of goats and the response is

she dosent know the breeds but she says that there average goats. they haven t ever been milked but one has a kid before (that's the 6 month old).

that is a good sign that this may not be a very knowledgeable goat person. What exactly is an "average goat"... they also have never been milked.... not a good sign.

Because goats will be a new to you, you want a good breeder that can mentor you.
Owning your first goats can be a nightmare or a blessing. Choose wisely.

what region are you located? You don't have to be specific but region/ state would be helpful.

 

[chickens454]

located in NC.
if I can convince my husband i will most likely get them elsewere.i want to get one Nubian and one Nigerian or two Nubian Nigerian crosses.

the lady said that the reason she is selling them is because her daughter was taking care of them previously and she has moved out and its alot for her to handle.

I'm going to look at some local breeders and see what there is.

 

[chickens454]

around how much would it be to send the tests to the lab?

 

[chickens454]

found someone who said there goats were jhones,CAE and CL tested is that what your talking about?

I'm trying to find ones already in milk so I can start milking them right away.