To goat or not To goat...that is the question...

I definitely vote that you goat!

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I never planned on having goats, but I had two pastures that were getting over run by brush and blackberry bushes. My neighbor told me he was getting rid of Lily a Nubian and I said I would take her. Then the neighbor down the road asked if I wanted Rocky an Oberhasli (Swiss Alpine). I think the neighbors had this planned. LOL What can I say I love my goats, they are just here to keep control over the pastures. They are to smart for their own good (excape artists), but after we figured out how to keep those gates closed. Things have been good. I got both goats at the age of two, but I had been around Lily since she was born. Rocky had been handled alot, so both goats are gental and easily handled. They do have a barn to get into to get out of the weather and I do have to feed during the summer, grass hay. they only have 4+ acers to take care of. Mine are not registured, no need to be, don't plan on breeding Lily and well Rocky can't go there. If you do get a goat, get two, they are herd animals.

I love my goats, but they are stunningly distructive to fence, buildings, trees, you name it...just keep that in mind...if you have lots of room you will probably be okay but man, mine amaze me with the havoc they can reek in an amazing short period of time!!

LOL, Hot wire keeps them off the fence, but they can be distructive. Two goats headbutting in the barn, almost took the barn off of it's foundation. Then there are the times DH, comes up to house and says "Do you know what your goats have done now?" Then there are the times that DH comes up and says, I've had it, your goat has my glove/hat etc.. OH! Rocky it's not nice to go here. LOL, love my goats not sure DH does.

I guess I'm really blessed, as my DH is as crazy about our goats as I am!

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Thank you, thank you all for your assistance...May your bucks always buck, your does always freshen and your kids sell quickly (the goat ones that is).

True, true...but you will be shaking your head and laughing while you polish hoofprints off your car, repair the fence for the 253rd time, and try to find the 3 "by 3" hole in the fence that your goat friends keep escaping from. Oh, and you will get your upper body workout as you extend the fence an additional 5 feet in height...on top of the 5 feet you just added last week. And by the way, "goat" maaa-ing is an official second language to add to your resume.

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Becky

Ok, now that I have decided to goat...The question be, where are the goats?! It doesn't appear that there's a ton of good milking lines out there...I guess Nigerians are so cute, most people want'em for pets...

I live in TX. Specifically, near Floresville, which is close to San Antonio. I'm willing to drive a ways, if I gotta, but with the price of gas down here, a trip too far may break the bank...I've looked on some of the sites provided, but, unless I missed it, didn't see anything near me...I shall continue to my fate though...never fear!

ETA: I figure not too many people would have anything young available, with winter hear, but figured I'd start looking now rather than later.

Also should I be wary of people raising both pygmies and Nigerians? I ask only because I'm worried someone's buck could have accidentally got the the wrong doe and I'm buying the result...To my understanding pygmies are great, but ultimately considered meat goats, which kinda defeats the purpose if I'm looking for milk.

Unfortunately, down here anyways, it seems if a person raises one, then they also raise the other.

Lotsa Texans on here, Maybe post to the barter board and cross-post to the goat forum's "For Sale" thread at the top of the page to advertise that you're looking for. I think your find plenty of reputable folks on HT with clean herds within a few hundred miles of you.

Wasn't sure my DH loved them until yesterday, when I found him at the barn feeding them pears and brushing them. He just dosen't want me to know he loves them. If I know he loves them, then he has nothing to complain about. Well, he will still come up and say "Do you know what your goat have done now?" LOL

Edit: spelling &triwinkle. Do you have a local farm paper, I get mine at the local feed store. You might find milking goat stock there. Now, I can understand why you may behaving a problem in finding milking goats. Texas is know for the demand for goat meat. We have a local group here in the northwest that trucks Bore goats to Texas, because of the demand for goat meat.

Lots of TX people over on DGI too, I'm sure someone on one of the boards can help you find what you are looking for.

http://www.dairygoatinfo.com/

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Lots of good Niggie herds in Texas. I'm a huge fan of the Jobi herd - they don't show, but routinely have does in the national top ten for milk production.

This is my primary herd sires dam - Jobi Maple


And this is one of his ff daughters this year


If you visit the link I provided earlier to the Nigerian forum - you will find a lot of folks in Texas.

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Wags Ranch Nigerians


"The Constitution says to promote the general welfare, not to provide welfare!" ~ Lt. Col Allen West

Your getting goats? Welcome to the club!

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