Considering goats.... Input!!

[that's*satyrical]

A good dairy goat will generally run at least $300. The way to do it is to find one that is already grown & kidded already & is in milk. A lot of breeders will keep a doeling out of a doe and then sell the doe to keep numbers lower. This way even though you are spending that kind of money on a goat you don't have all the start up cost of raising it. Let me look around your area & see if I can find anything for you. You could go for an unregistered & it might run a little less money but there is more of a chance of not getting as good of a milk goat. I'll look for both & see where the prices stand.

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

Ok... Well, I don't think that they run that high around here, at least not normally. I have been surfing craigslist and it looks like most are hovering around 150. The Nubians that I was looking at were $525 for 2 doelings and a buckling. Those were babies, though...

 

[that's*satyrical]

http://www.birchridgefarm.com/sale.html

check out this link. These guys are in Vermont but this is what you're looking for.

 

[that's*satyrical]

Ok... Well, I don't think that they run that high around here, at least not normally. I have been surfing craigslist and it looks like most are hovering around 150. The Nubians that I was looking at were $525 for 2 doelings and a buckling. Those were babies, though...

Possibly, but you want a breeder who knows what they are doing & will sell you disease free goats. Look at the link I sent you the top 2 does are good prospects. Right on the page it says they test their goats & they are free from the major goat diseases.

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

OUCH! That hurts! Don't know if we can foot that right now...

Besides, we don't have time to go to VT! I hope that there is something around here for less. There is a couple of Nigerian Dwarfs on Vinal Haven (an Island off Maine). I think that we are going to check those out.

 

[that's*satyrical]

You may want to try to grab the one for $150 if you can. That price for a goat that is going to be in milk is really good. Keep in mind when you are purchasing a goat the cost the breeder is entailing. Even selling my doelings for $375 each I really don't make any money by the time I am done feeding, vaccinating, testing my herd, practicing cocci prevention. Also if you bought a baby from a disease free herd it would cost the same as that $150 and you would have to feed/care for it til it was big enough to breed, pay to have it bred (or purchase a buck) until you were able to milk. Just saying if you want a dairy goat from someone reputable that is disease free that is what it is going to cost & they are not ripping you off it is just fairly expensive to raise a goat to that size and get it into milk.

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

The one for $150 in my area or in VT? As stated before, I am not planning on going to VT to get a goat....

 

[that's*satyrical]

http://www.stonesedgefarm.com/DWARFGOATS.html

Here's one in Maine. I'm trying to find more in your area. It's tough! The bigger breeders don't have anything or want $400 for a doeling. They have a few unregistered at this link for $200 a piece. Sometimes actually usually if you buy more than one they will discount it. Keep in mind too with the minis like I said you will spend a lot less on fencing, shelter & feed. Those are your biggest expenses with goats.

 

[that's*satyrical]

http://www.humbleacresfarm.com/forsale.htm

A nice registered milk goat for $350 here towards the bottom of the page. As you can see they are selling the doelings for more so it's always a better deal to go with the milker. If you can get her bred before she leaves she will have the babies in 5 months you will have milk and can sell the babies to recoup the cost.

 

[yankee'n'moxie]

Yes, I can see what you are saying, but I think that I can get away with a cheaper goat. It may not be registered, but I don't mind because I am not showing, etc. I just want goat milk... I will let you know if I find anything!