Considering goats.... Input!!

[yankee'n'moxie]

Ok... I was looking at full sized Nubians. So, would that size work for them? I was thinking 2 does. And I hadn't decided on a buck. I have heard that they can be a pain to contain. Anybody had luck using a "buck service"?

Also: Can the milk be compared to cow's milk? As far as using it in recipes, etc? We were thinking of completely replacing the cow's milk that we buy. I have also heard that it tastes different. Which is OK, but is it yucky, or good? And also I have heard that the taste of the milk is affected by what they eat, so do you limit what they eat to hay and grain? Or do you give them free choice to eat whatever?

 

[that's*satyrical]

Don't know about fencing Nubians but they are quite a bit larger. You don't realize how much by pictures!! We have replaced our cow's milk with goats milk. Unless you are exposing your goats to something that makes the milk taste funny or don't chill it quickly enough it tastes the same, if not better! I put mine directly in the freezer after milking to chill it quickly then move it to the refrigerator once it's chilled.

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

OK! Thanks!!

So, how many small goats do you keep in that 60X80 area? Does it stay grass or is it dirt and you provide the foliage (hay)?

EDIT: Do you do the shots by yourself or have the vet do it? If you do it yourself, where do you buy the vacccines and syringes? Is it relatively easy to learn to do yourself, or do you think I should wait to have someone show me?

 

[that's*satyrical]

OK! Thanks!!

So, how many small goats do you keep in that 60X80 area? Does it stay grass or is it dirt and you provide the foliage (hay)?

EDIT: Do you do the shots by yourself or have the vet do it? If you do it yourself, where do you buy the vacccines and syringes? Is it relatively easy to learn to do yourself, or do you think I should wait to have someone show me?

In my 60x80 right now I have 5 adult does & 3 babies. Our area is wooded so their pen is browse & the ground is leaf covered for the most part. They get straight alfalfa hay, pretty much unlimited. I do vaccines myself. Easy once you get the hang of it & much, much cheaper. I get vaccines & syringes off Jeffers & order enough stuff when I make an order to get free shipping. If they are not close to you you may need to spend a little on the shipping to speed it along if you're ordering vaccines. It's pretty easy to learn to do the vaccines yourself if you're not too squeamish. Read up on it & give it a shot.

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

Thank you soooo much!! That is a big help!

Also, will we have to clean the milk somehow? Strain it, or something?

EDIT: Do they need alfalfa or is that a preference? Could they eat the hay that we buy for our horses? We buy second crop square bales, good quality!

 

[Missy]

We have two 100 square foot pens. 2 bucks in one(or rather 1 buck and 1 buckling, and 2 does(will be 3 possibly 4) in the other. As said before, my rarely travel too much in the pen, the does tend to stick to the front corner where the food and water is at, occasonally traveling around a bit to nibble at trees in their pen. The buckling full uses his pen, running around, climbing and playing, the buck tends to stick where he can clearly watch "his" girls. They move, he moves.

I also let them out at least twice a day for an hour each time so they can free range and play with us.

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

Ok... Thank you!

Another question (in addition to my last post's questions): What size shelter? I am thinking something not too big, or too expensive to build, but will last as they grow. Not knowing how big they will get, maybe a 7X10 that could be split into two "stalls"? Or is that too big? That is 5X7 for each goat! That seems big to me, but what do I know? LOL

 

[that's*satyrical]

The standards are fairly large. 5x7 for a Nigie would be plenty big enough but you might need a little more room if you want a standard to be able to move around in there. Although I'm sure that would be fine for short stretches of time. How much rain does your area get? If you live somewhere where it rains a lot you may want bigger. Goats hate getting wet!

I generally don't strain the milk since it is for personal use & I clean the udder really well with a baby wipe before milking and tilt a mason jar right up to the teat, but if it's been raining or something & the goats are really nasty I do strain it.

 

[Catahoula]

I have a 10x10 3 side covered shelter for two Boer goats. If I had REALLY thought about it and REALLY planned it out thoroughly, i would have make it BIGGER! I already wanted more goats and I know this 10x10 is too small.

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

OK... Thank you!! We will talk about it and consider it. It is not really rainy here, but chilly in the winter (We are in Maine, BTW).