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[Goatsrus77]

Thank you all for your replies. My family and I live in Texas between Baytown and Beaumont off of I-10. I have raised chickens, guineas, horses and dogs. Right now I have 2 dogs and a puppy. We are hopefully going to buy some land so that we can again raise critters. We are interested in raising dairy goats and are researching which breed we will go with. Any opinions on which would be good for first time goat people would be very helpful.

 

[elevan]

Welcome to BYH @Goatsrus77 !

 

[SA Farm]

Thank you all for your replies. My family and I live in Texas between Baytown and Beaumont off of I-10. I have raised chickens, guineas, horses and dogs. Right now I have 2 dogs and a puppy. We are hopefully going to buy some land so that we can again raise critters. We are interested in raising dairy goats and are researching which breed we will go with. Any opinions on which would be good for first time goat people would be very helpful.

If you're looking for small and manageable, fun and intelligent with fantastic milk I would recommend the Nigerian Dwarf. If you want something a bit larger with absolutely the best temperaments I've ever experienced, great milk and more capacity, I would recommend the Lamancha breed.
Of course, I'm not biased at all...

 

[Southern by choice]

Welcome!

You ask the impossible question!
We have everything from Dwarfs, to Standards...
Lamanchas, Nubian, Alpine...
We have moved our herd more in the direction of Mini's.
The best of both worlds. Miniature like a dwarf but higher milking capacity like a standard. More milk in still a small package.
We originally started with dwarfs and I never really wanted Standards... alas... we have them all. Love them all!
Personality wise so far I have to say my standards have better personality but that doesn't mean the dwarfs aren't filled with it! LOL I will always have some dwarfs they have attitude!
Dwarfs and Mini's are easier to handle and easier on the land,
feed conversion is very good and they are certainly enjoyable.
@SA Farm calls it right! We discovered the best of both worlds and have Mini-Manchas!

The Dwarf is a great starter goat. If you are wanting to milk you will need to calculate approximately how much milk you will need (including cheese etc you will use the milk for) and from there figure out how many goats you will need for your supply.

 

[kinder]

Hello . And welcome to BYH.... Hey !!! Can't a Kinder get a break around here ??. You'll find out here we all love our goats, and don't mind tooting our own horns...

 

[kinder]

Oh !!! Pardon me , I already welcomed you,.. You'll have fun here.

 

[MsDeb]

Late welcome from KS! We're still in our first year of goat life and have an ND buck and wether, a Nubian doe and a boar/kiko doe. You're going to fall in love with whichever breeds you get. Keep us posted. You'll get lots of good info and support here.