O.K., pretend you know NOTHING about having goats

Wags · #21 03/15/10, 11:43 PM

Four of them on 30x50 would be pushing it, but doable if you (or your children) were really good about cleaning it. But if you are trying to "sneak" them into the neighborhood you probably should try to keep the numbers down.

Individual voices vary, but mine usually only get loud when its feeding time and they see movement but no one is arriving with their breakfast. Actually my noisiest one is our wether that screams like a baby when he wants to be fed.

Their milk is so yummy! When we were on vacation in January my 4 yr old son asked for milk, but when he got it he was sure they must have given him "white water" by mistake. We never did convince him that the 2% was really milk.

GBov · #22 03/16/10, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wags

Four of them on 30x50 would be pushing it, but doable if you (or your children) were really good about cleaning it. But if you are trying to "sneak" them into the neighborhood you probably should try to keep the numbers down.

Individual voices vary, but mine usually only get loud when its feeding time and they see movement but no one is arriving with their breakfast. Actually my noisiest one is our whether that screams like a baby when he wants to be fed.

Their milk is so yummy! When we were on vacation in January my 4 yr old son asked for milk, but when he got it he was sure they must have given him "white water" by mistake. We never did convince him that the 2% was really milk.

Thats because 2% ISNT really milk!

The last time I had milk fresh from the goat I was still in single digits

wow, looooooong time ago now but I can still remember it. Twas yummmmmy!

And I havnt even told my poor hubby about my plan. He has a golden tongue for talking me out of things, usually using "What do we do with them on holidays?" and "Next year for SURE dear!"

Well, have had it with waiting

so just gunna do it and trust to their goaty cuteness to win him over. But having one in milk right away will also help soften his heart, any bit off the shopping money is dear to his heart

Yeh, I did think 4 was pushing it a bit but as my 4 year old is happy with having a "growed up goat" thats one little problem sorted. Hope it all goes that easy, can goats be used as grounds for divorce LOL

GBov · #23 03/16/10, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rose2005

Pony.....I see your ploy, she wants to get whipped with alfalfa hay because she is OUT of it! LOL Watch her make a nuisance all over the board in order to get enough.

Mine are not in milk yet as they have yet to kid, but when they do, it will be wonderful. They have been great in clearing overgrown areas, and will continue to do so, but please remember that they also cost quite a bit to keep with hay, alfalfa pellets, grain if lactating, de-worming, good minerals and the shots they need each year.

However, they are adorable and so worth it! We have unregistered numanchas who are going to kid in about a month. (My calender got thrown away

)

Rose

You are right to caution on keeping costs. Even the snake we have costs more than one would expect when you factor in electric for its heat lamp. Its NEVER the cost of an animal that gets you, its the running cost!

Am trying to get as much food out of our yard as is humanly possable so goats will be a big step in that direction. Also hit upon a way to raise meat chickens 10 at a time in the veg garden that is making me happy. I cant beat teh price of store boughten but at least I can have taste and health on my side

Oooooo and feta cheese, wanna make LOTS of that!

thaiblue12 · #24 03/16/10, 10:41 AM

Bottle kids no matter what breed are LOUD! They scream to eat even if they just ate. Out of my now huge herd

of Nigerians I only have one loud mouth and her daughter is as well. They are fairly quiet in general, those two do yell at feeding time. But if you get them fed quick it does not last long. Since they will be in a smaller enclosed area you would not have the "I overslept and the herd went off grazing without me so now I must run around screaming at the top of my lungs cause I am all alone."

Out of my Nubians 2 are noisy the third is quiet, it is the girl who is the quiet one. My huge boy moans in his sleep with every exhale, the other boy is a big sissy and whines to me for everything. I agree not even room to house them and with small kids they can easily get bumped or stepped on and hurt by accident.

I bet you can find someone who might be selling out that would have a doe with a pair of twins at her side. Might be one of each instead of all doelings though. You can tell your son that you got him a baby boy so the girls won't outnumber him?

GBov · #25 03/16/10, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thaiblue12

Bottle kids no matter what breed are LOUD! They scream to eat even if they just ate. Out of my now huge herd

of Nigerians I only have one loud mouth and her daughter is as well. They are fairly quiet in general, those two do yell at feeding time. But if you get them fed quick it does not last long. Since they will be in a smaller enclosed area you would not have the "I overslept and the herd went off grazing without me so now I must run around screaming at the top of my lungs cause I am all alone."

Out of my Nubians 2 are noisy the third is quiet, it is the girl who is the quiet one. My huge boy moans in his sleep with every exhale, the other boy is a big sissy and whines to me for everything. I agree not even room to house them and with small kids they can easily get bumped or stepped on and hurt by accident.

I bet you can find someone who might be selling out that would have a doe with a pair of twins at her side. Might be one of each instead of all doelings though. You can tell your son that you got him a baby boy so the girls won't outnumber him?

You describing your screaming all alone goat made me spit tea on my keyboard

The only problem with buying a buckling is my children know me too well, a non productive meat package walking round makes me hungry. I once yelled at teh dog that if she did that again (running threw the screen door before it was opened) I would cook her for dinner.

Turned round to find all three kids sobbing "NOOOOOOOO Mummy, Dont COOK Penny!"

I like the idea of a nanny with two at side aLOT! It would be worth waiting and shopping and even driving many miles for. It would solve so many snags and yet give everyone exactly what they want.

Might even keep them quieter too