New from west virginia

I hope you enjoy BYH as much as I do

The homstead said:

well my wife and I went to an auction today. The dairy goats they had looked pretty rough so we didn’t end up buying any this time. However there was a little Hereford heifer calf all on her lonesome (probably the prettiest calf I have ever seen and I just had to have her) so I guess we have our first bottle baby calf

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You might get lucky on the calf, always worry about whether a twin with a bull. Keep a close eye on umbilical cord to ensure it dries up.

With dairy goats through a sale barn you run high risk you are getting cull, not to mention taking risk of bringing home diseases. Read up on CAEV/OPP, CL, Johnes, soremouth. As a newbie you will be much better off finding a local breeder. Check out www.adga.org and also Google your state and dairy goat club to get meeting info. Most clubs have monthly pot lucks at a member's home. Spring shows are over, but fair shows start in August. and a good way to see goats and meet breeders.

Welcome from VA. I was born in WV. Some lovely areas there and some really windy hill roads! As a child a lot of carsick.
But mom & dad were from there and I have wonderful memories of their homesteads back in those hills, no power, cook with wood, water from a well with a bucket and rope. Back then there were still coal mine ponies and I blame that on my love of the mini horses I raised for years.

Sounds like you will be adding to the farm. I agree with the recommendations to find a breeder for you first few goats. If you want to milk, you want some good foundation and preferably one already trained. Won't take long to realize how critical for those first ones to be in good health, mastitis & disease free.

We love pictures.....the calf is adorable.

hi west virginia, welcome to the herd. you'll find lots of info and lots of nice helpful people on here. I lived in w.va. for a good part of my adult life and loved it there. I lived outside Buckhannon which is below Clarksburg which is below Morgantown. I don't know about now but the state did have a couple of very active dairy goat clubs back in the day. I totally agree with donna and mini horses, please don't buy your dairy goats from the stock sale. that is where most folks send their culls and you sure don't want to start your goat adventure out with sick goats. hope your homestead adventure is everything you hope for.

Donna R. Raybon said:

Bayleaf where in NC are you located?

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I'm in Raleigh, middle of the state pretty much.

Lots of good breeders around Raleigh and a great state fair dairy goat show.

That is a beautiful Hereford calf. I love the Hereford coloring and currently am raising 2 Hereford Hogs feeder pigs. They go to slaughter July 11. Your calf is a beauty, I wish you the best with her!

She seems to be eating pretty well so far. As of right now she chases the hens around our yard. I assume just because she is curious about them

The homstead said:

well my wife and I went to an auction today. The dairy goats they had looked pretty rough so we didn’t end up buying any this time. However there was a little Hereford heifer calf all on her lonesome (probably the prettiest calf I have ever seen and I just had to have her) so I guess we have our first bottle baby calf

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As others said, I doubt the auction is the best place to start your dairy herd UNLESS you know your animals and can pick out a decent older doe at a good price that can still give you a couple of doelings (hopefully).

Dairy goat, Hereford heifer. They are about the same thing, right?
Are you going to explain to the kids that her name is "Dinner"?

I think the only kid that would understand right now would be my oldest and he wouldn’t 100% get it so it’ll be a few years until it all gets explained. My middle son will probably end up being a vegetarian once he realizes meat comes from animals. ( he doesn’t eat deer meat because he knows where it comes from) he’s five. And my youngest son wants to eat her now and he’s three. I’m not really sure he understands that she will die when she is butchered. As for the cow she’s more of my project than my wife’s, she’s not a big fan of killing something that she cares for, therefore I take care of the chickens so she doesn’t name them or make them pets so they can be butchered.