New to goats and need advice.

We have Nubians right now, and they are great. We have had Saanens, and they were good, but the particular ones we had did not produce as much cream. They also had more foot trouble than our Nubians. I think it more depends on the stock you get, breeding and milking bloodlines. We have 10 children at home right now, and it generally takes 1 Dexter cow and 3 Nubians to keep up with our demand.

I can't believe nobody said Oberhasli. My Obers are so wonderfully quite, wonderful on the stand, sweet as can be, and super easy keepers. They sound like sheep baaaing even when they are trying to get your attention they still aren't loud.

Now compare them to our brand new Nubian buck. He is they HUGEST cry baby. He has literally made himself horse from SCREAMING at the top of his lungs. Compared to my little sheep baaing at me he sounds like one of the red blaring blow sirens in your ear!!! I'm not sure that we will stick with Nubians if they are all like this. YIKES

My nubians are much quieter than my alpine and lamancha- unless they are locked up for some reason, or seperated from the herd. And if you are late feeding and they catch site of you, then they sound off! Its not just a breed thing, its an individual goat thing too. Weaning time is noisy no matter what breed youve got.

I defintiley echo what has already been said- get TESTED disease free goats from someone who manages them intensively, not just throws them out it the field to eat brush. Be VERY careful buying from dairies, unless they show you herd health papers to prove they are testing regulary, BE VERY, VERY AFRAID! Avoid anything thats sick, overly thin, has any lumps or runny nose, frequent cough, etc. Feet should be in decent shape- a little overgrown is one thing, VERY overgorwn may be a reflection of poor management.

I honestly suggest you find a reputatable breeder who is willing to be there for you after the sale, answer questions, give you some support and potentially breed your does back for you when they need it. They will be a good source of milkers for you as time goes on. Especially if they breed for show- you can get some very good animals that are well cared for, but that just dont quite meet up to their breeding program needs, or aren't quite champion potential, or perhaps they are selling them because they are keeping several daughters, etc.

Deciding what breed you want is important- but IMHO if you are new to goats, finding a local breeder to work with is more important. Buying babies is great, but then youve got at least a year before youre milking your investment. And as anew owner its problaby important that you find good BTDT kinda girls, that will hop right up on the stand and calmly let you milk. Fighting witha FF who has no idea what youre trying to do is a bit tough. Its muhc better when only one of you needs some experience! LOL YMMV.

Hehehe! I am glad yours are quiet! Mine screams like its dieing or something for hours after I go in! I don't mind that soft gentle cry. But the I am about to die sound because you went inside is more than I can stand. If that's not enough the little one is catching on. She gives this really ugly scream you would think she was hurt. I know I am crazy but I always check just in case. Just to make sure she is really just screaming because I went inside. I love them anyways hehehe.