MamaMage in SC!

Wait for 2018 babies?

  • Yes

    Votes: 3 75.0%
  • No

    Votes: 1 25.0%

  • Total voters
    4

MamaMage

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Greetings and welcome to BYH! As stated, lots of great goat folks here who will help in any way they can if you have questions or a problem. Quite a few are close by to you as well. I'm also in East TX and will be getting my bred Lamancha does (x3) here in a month or so. I have my 1st LGD (Mel in my avatar). I believe most standard sized goats (full size) are seasonal breeders, coming into heat generally from ~August through January to February... Much depends on how far north or south they're located. It's a fall thing... And most bucks will go into rut in the fall regardless of breed. While the smaller/dwarf breeds (Nigerian Dwarf, Pygmy, etc) tend to be year round breeders coming into heat about every 21 days. Crosses between the two could go either way depending on what DNA/genes they inherit.

Since many folks breed to have their kids in the spring, weather getting warmer, but not as many bug problems and not too hot, there should be lots of kids available right through till summer. This will be more true if you don't want to bottle feed, and want weaned kids. Typically the kids will get weaned anywhere from 8-16 weeks after birth. So even if the kid was born in March, it won't be weaned till May-July some time. You'll want to get a deposit on the kid though so it isn't sold long before being weaned.. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a seller willing to sell a doe with kid(s) at her side so you'll be able to milk right away as well as have the babies to cuddle and raise.

You can always start very basic with a "dry lot" area initially to keep them in while you're fencing in a larger pasture (or more than one) area for them. Just a basic 50-60 square feet per animal would be sufficient as a holding area for them until they get comfortable with you so you know they'll come to you when you rattle a can of grain at them. That way you'll be able to call them back to their night time safe holding area to protect them from predators.

Whatever you decide, glad to have you with us! Make yourself at home and browse around the threads. There's a wealth of info and experience/knowledge shared for your perusal. Hope you'll update us as you progress and share some pics when the time comes!
Thanks so much for your reply! That's such a great idea trying to find a mom with kids for sale! I would LOVE that! Are there breeders on this board that sell their kids on here? I'm not too sure about where to look for goats when I'm ready to buy!
 

norseofcourse

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Thanks so much for your reply! That's such a great idea trying to find a mom with kids for sale! I would LOVE that! Are there breeders on this board that sell their kids on here? I'm not too sure about where to look for goats when I'm ready to buy!
One way is to check your local Craigslist, go to the Farm and Garden section, and search for the phrase 'in milk'. You'll have some posts to weed through, but I've found goats in milk for sale that way (no I haven't bought any... yet)
 

Latestarter

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Had to go back to your 1st post in the thread to figure out where you're at again.... Old and forgetful... you really should put your general location in your profile. SC is a pretty decent sized state, so I'm not sure where to start looking that would be within reach of you. You can go to the various breed sites or the various goat society websites and most will have a member's list where you can find breeders in your local state/area. As stated, there's craig's list, where you can also search just "goats for sale", or you can just do basic web searches or even local newspaper sales sections. I'm pretty sure that when you're really ready to own goats, you'll be able to find some for sale. :D
 

MamaMage

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thank
Had to go back to your 1st post in the thread to figure out where you're at again.... Old and forgetful... you really should put your general location in your profile. SC is a pretty decent sized state, so I'm not sure where to start looking that would be within reach of you. You can go to the various breed sites or the various goat society websites and most will have a member's list where you can find breeders in your local state/area. As stated, there's craig's list, where you can also search just "goats for sale", or you can just do basic web searches or even local newspaper sales sections. I'm pretty sure that when you're really ready to own goats, you'll be able to find some for sale. :D
thanks so much!!! :D
 
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