Xerocles
Loving the herd life
AKA "Here we go again".
I think most of you know I'm a newby to animals, and that I ask a ton of questions.
My goal was simple. 6 chickens, 4 rabbits, and 2 goats. I've got the chickens....working wonderfully. The rabbits...some frustrations but getting there. 5 runner ducks....totally blindsided by you enablers who convinced me I needed them for my garden.
But the goats. Original thought. Nigerian Dwarfs. Primary function, brush clearing. Secondarily, meat (yes they're small, but so are my meat needs) and/or milk (ditto on needs).
Now, many people went to a lot of time and trouble to give me help and advice on pasture, containment, and other topics. To you, I say thank you and sorry I wasted your time. But from the headaches that I have read about with goats on this forum, they just seem way to intensive and a general PITA for me to take on.
It was suggested that I try Katahdin hair sheep as an alternative. Eat brush like goats. Parasite resistance, easy birthing. All around easier animal than goats.
Thus "Here we go again". From the ground up. Seems like they are like potato chips to the folks on here. Betcha can't have just one. Herds of 20, 30, hundreds! I want two. Ewes or ?are castrated sheep called wethers like goats? castrated males. I've tried researching this, but nothing prepares me for having just two. The smallest denominator I have found is 6/acre. Does it follow that (good abundant brush forage) 2 could be pastured on 1/3 ace? Are they less difficult to contain than goats? i.e. double strand electric work? Are they as Prima Donna as goats and insist on shelter at all times so they don't get their hair wet? Or is severe weather shelter enough? Toys? (I.e. jungle gyms for climbing)
I don't want to show them, breed them, or pet and pamper them beyond routine care. And "farm math" doesn't work on me. Still 6 chickens, 4 rabbits (not counting kits which I intend to eat) and no desire for more. Yes the ducks were a curve ball, but the 5 will be reduced to 2 or 3 once they reach sexual maturity.
So...if you guys are willing to play with me again.....take me by the hand once again and lead me? Baby steps please. I'm slow.
I think most of you know I'm a newby to animals, and that I ask a ton of questions.
My goal was simple. 6 chickens, 4 rabbits, and 2 goats. I've got the chickens....working wonderfully. The rabbits...some frustrations but getting there. 5 runner ducks....totally blindsided by you enablers who convinced me I needed them for my garden.
But the goats. Original thought. Nigerian Dwarfs. Primary function, brush clearing. Secondarily, meat (yes they're small, but so are my meat needs) and/or milk (ditto on needs).
Now, many people went to a lot of time and trouble to give me help and advice on pasture, containment, and other topics. To you, I say thank you and sorry I wasted your time. But from the headaches that I have read about with goats on this forum, they just seem way to intensive and a general PITA for me to take on.
It was suggested that I try Katahdin hair sheep as an alternative. Eat brush like goats. Parasite resistance, easy birthing. All around easier animal than goats.
Thus "Here we go again". From the ground up. Seems like they are like potato chips to the folks on here. Betcha can't have just one. Herds of 20, 30, hundreds! I want two. Ewes or ?are castrated sheep called wethers like goats? castrated males. I've tried researching this, but nothing prepares me for having just two. The smallest denominator I have found is 6/acre. Does it follow that (good abundant brush forage) 2 could be pastured on 1/3 ace? Are they less difficult to contain than goats? i.e. double strand electric work? Are they as Prima Donna as goats and insist on shelter at all times so they don't get their hair wet? Or is severe weather shelter enough? Toys? (I.e. jungle gyms for climbing)
I don't want to show them, breed them, or pet and pamper them beyond routine care. And "farm math" doesn't work on me. Still 6 chickens, 4 rabbits (not counting kits which I intend to eat) and no desire for more. Yes the ducks were a curve ball, but the 5 will be reduced to 2 or 3 once they reach sexual maturity.
So...if you guys are willing to play with me again.....take me by the hand once again and lead me? Baby steps please. I'm slow.