What breed for me?

[doubleatraining]

I'm interested in getting a few goats this spring. I am familiar with a few breeds but I know there are tons of options. I'm going to be fencing in their area in the next few weeks and I'm shopping for the right LGD. They will be in with chickens. Fencing will be about 900' or so. Future fencing of 2 acres.

The area used to be woods before it was roughly cleared/scraped. Now I have all this brush/weeds/yuk that wants to grow....in come the goats. If they can keep it trimmed down then hopefully in the next year or so grass will be given a chance. I don't want more than 2-3.

I'd like to keep a smallish breed. No huge Boar goats please. I don't mind horns. I don't really plan on doing any big breeding so I won't need any stinky boy goats. Although breeding once a year and selling the kids is an option. Eventually I'm interested in milking but I'm thinking that is years down the line. I'm not home enough to even consider it right now.

Ideas? I know that this seems like a stupid question and a random mixed goat would work but they live a long time and I'd like to have my future goals in mind.

 

[Southern by choice]

Don't know your region, but I really like the Nigerians... they are pretty easy on the land and as far as parasite resistance in dairy breeds I think they are great. I have ND's 1 Lamancha and we have...not in with, separate.... Kiko Meat goats. The breeds we have we were very selective about. 1. parasite resistance is our no1 priority here. The Nd's to me are the easiest and gentlest on the land.

 

[doubleatraining]

I've seen a few Nigerians advertised but I will read up more on them. I live in central/eastern NC.

Are they friendly? I tend to make pets out of goats.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

How quickly will you be ready to milk? Are you male or female? I ask because I am a man with large hands and when I visited with a ND breeder, me trying to milk an ND was not happening. I have Nubians and have no problem milking. I just got a LaMancha because I wanted to and know that they are great Milk Producers and typically have nice udders also.

If you want to Milk eventually, then get yourself a couple of nice Dairy Does and then you can breed them to a meat buck or Dairy buck and sell the offspring.

 

[doubleatraining]

I have a LOT of learning to do before I think about milking. I'm thinking a year in the very miracle minimum. I work 24 hrs a day every other day so milking right now really isn't an option and I don't plan to be out of this career for many many years. I'd have to find someone to milk on the days that I couldn't....thats a whole other bag of worms.

I'm female and have average hands. LOL I'm also single so I have NO idea what I would do with GALLONS of milk a day. I'd rather not have a big dairy goat that is going to give more milk than I know what to do with.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Nigerians really are your best bet then. Meat goats are out of it, larger dairy goats are out, that leaves Nigerians and Pygmys really and Nigerians are a better bet. I little bit bigger but if you do decide to milk they can be milked and are good for it, they are very very friendly and loving, one of the most popular goats out there and you should have no issue finding them, they come in many colors and are very easy to care for and require very little. They can take all weather, can breed all year round too. Very good goats and I would recommend them 100% for you.

 

[doubleatraining]

Nigerians really are your best bet then. Meat goats are out of it, larger dairy goats are out, that leaves Nigerians and Pygmys really and Nigerians are a better bet. I little bit bigger but if you do decide to milk they can be milked and are good for it, they are very very friendly and loving, one of the most popular goats out there and you should have no issue finding them, they come in many colors and are very easy to care for and require very little. They can take all weather, can breed all year round too. Very good goats and I would recommend them 100% for you.

Thank you for your help. I'm going to be researching them. I just wish I already had my fence up. LOL

I'm not opposed to meat goats....I just won't be eating them. I have had goat meat before but I'd rather spend the money on a cow and eat that instead.

 

[Southern by choice]

I've seen a few Nigerians advertised but I will read up more on them. I live in central/eastern NC.

Are they friendly? I tend to make pets out of goats.

I am in central Piedmont region too!

We have kids due in 10 days, 1 kid here and 3 does 2 bucks (that's for the ND) and the lamancha...

when you are ready you could come see them... it will give you an idea of the size and personalities. Yes they are friendly. We will have "mini- manchas" too... hopefully in 5 months!

I love my lamancha and full size goats are great but yes they need more land and they do eat more... which makes a difference when you need to buy hay when they run out of browse or it's winter etc.

Nothing wrong with big goats though!!! Every goat owner is always going to advocate for their breed! I have a poultry business so poultry and LGD's are my thing... I love the goats but I'm not "real into goats" like many people are.. Goats are enjoyable for sure, and I don't care what breed, they just are!

We do have farm visits by appointment only... you can always pm me. -- Oh, worth saying... NOT trying to sell you ANYTHING, just you may be close enough to get to see different kinds of goats and then you can visit another farm and see theirs.. til you figure out what you like best.

 

[Southern by choice]

oops just saw you were in central eastern... hmmmm..... there are breeders that would be closer for you.

 

[Straw Hat Kikos]

Yes come on over and check the goats out! We've got three breeds here and could show you them and show you the Nigerian. I think they would be perfect for you. I really do.

And I agree with Southern. NOT TRYING TO SELL ANYTHING. I can't stand when people do that to me so I wouldn't do that to you and neither would she.