Best way to start w/ Boers?

[hayzor]

I'd like to get some Boers to keep the grass down and sell the bucks & wethers. I have 3 pastures that I can rotate them on. Each one is approx 1/3 acre.
My questions
1- How many could I keep on the land and rotate and maintain both grass & goats?
2- Is it best to start w/ only does and rent a buck or get a buck w/ the does? I live in AZ and the pastures are irrigated.
3- What would I expect to pay for a doe, or buck?

Thanks

[Dee]

Hi Hayzor

I decided to try to help a bit but I'm in NJ so things are different.

I have found that my goats like to eat browse and weeds more then grass. They will spend most of the time in the woods. They eat hay and little grain (actually too much grain because they are fat and spoiled) I have to cut down the grass or put the horse in there. It could be because I feed them well that they leave it because I have seen goats on dirt because they ate every scrap of green. Doesn't help your question, I know but...

I started with buying two pregnant does. I kept four doelings from the first kidding (they had five girls the first year) And over a period of time, I am now up to 10 goats which hopefully will be back down to 6 soon. I tried to keep a buck but have since decided it is easier to buy a buckling, use him, then sell or eat him after he is done.

I cannot help you on the price either. In NJ you can get a doe for $150 but the price is different for show stock, registered does, etc. (I saw a buck at a show that was selling for $5,000) I can tell you to call your county agent and 4H leaders and they can offer you more help for your area. My county agent was so patient with me and helped me alot in the beginning. I called once, then laughed and said, "At least my questions are getting more intelligent now"

Good luck to you

[Zorro_Bones]

Now it all depends on what all you plan on doing with the boers.
If you also plan on showing go with purebred stock but if it's just for your farm and nothing else that almost always requires a pedigree I would go with crosses.
oliver