how to approach?

myheaven · #1 07/30/06, 11:27 AM

By me I have a few farms with ALOT of goats. they do not have goat for sale sings or anything I was wondering if it would be ok to approach, and how to approach them and ask about their goats and see if I could buy one or two. I feel very rude to even think this or even want to ask.
They are only 30 min from me (give or take) they have around 75-100 goats of all sorts of breeds. I dont want to get goats that are so far from me it will stress them so bad and make them sick from the move.
I just dont know. I feel so rude.

gryndlgoat · #2 07/30/06, 11:48 AM

If these farms are close by, chances are good the owners go to the same feed/grocery/hardware/farm stores that you do. Most of these stores have bulletin boards where you can put up little card ads. Why not put up a Goats Wanted ad, listing what you are looking for, area you live in and phone number. That way, if one of these goat farms have goats available, they can contact you and you won't be bothering them. PennySaver-type newpaper ads could work too.

goatmarm · #3 07/30/06, 12:09 PM

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full sun · #4 07/30/06, 12:56 PM

I agree that you shouldn't feel rude. There isn't a big demand for goats, so I am sure the herd owners wouldn't even bother to advertise to the general public. I think the chances are that you will easily be able to get a couple of goats. I think they would be happy to hear that you are interested. And if, like goatmarm said, you compliment the herd first, you can hardly go wrong!

So if you're serious, get your nerve up and go for it!

Jennifer

Idahoe · #5 07/30/06, 02:09 PM

If I were approached, I would feel positively about it. It seems like from what I read people with herds frequently have goats they don't need or want. Even if I had none I'd keep in contact because I certainly will want to sell a few in the future.

I think the note introducing yourself is a great idea. It's respectful, rather than dropping by in person and hoping they'll drop their work to show you around. 'Course, in the country I've noticed it is routine for people to just drop by, no phone call, and no one seems to mind (but ME). So in your shoes, I'd leave a note and phone #, possibly an address.

stacygoats · #6 07/30/06, 02:36 PM

I don't mind people stopping in.
If I don't have time or what they are looking for I take their name and phone#. If I don't have what they are looking for I usaully call a couple other folks with goats in the area and pass on the contact information.

moonspinner · #7 07/30/06, 02:42 PM

I don't think "rude" is even applicable here. I bet they'd be happy to show you around and if they have that many goats, I'm further betting they'd be pleased to sell you a few. If you can get their phone number I think a call would be better than just stopping in unnanounced.

mamakl · #8 07/30/06, 04:00 PM

This is how we got one of our nubian does... I had one doeling and knew she wouldn't be happy by herself, but was having a hard time finding any goats for sale in our area. I noticed a neighbor a couple of miles down the road had a lot of goats, so I called (got the name from the mailbox), introduced myself and said I'd seen they had a lot of goats. Then I asked if they might any for sale, or knew of anyone with goats for sale. He told us to come on over, that he'd show us around and yes, he did have some goats for sale.

Since we bought from him he's had us back a couple of times to visit (he's offered to disbud our babies when they come, and even loan us a billy when we need one!). He's gotten to be a friend and has even invited our whole homeschool group out for a visit! (Most of the kids in the group live in the city, and will love seeing a "real" farm with horses, cows, goats, sheep, pigs, chickens, etc...)

I'd say go for it... the worst that can happen is they won't have any goats for sale and you'll have to start looking again.

Maura

fishhead · #9 07/31/06, 09:26 AM

A goat owner who isn't proud to show someone their animals. I can't imagine.

moosemaniac · #10 07/31/06, 10:22 AM

Heck yeah, stop in. I get people all the time stopping to ask if I have any available. Even when I don't have any, I love showing them off and, there's always spring kidding!

Ruth

mary,tx · #11 07/31/06, 11:39 AM

I agree that there is nothing wrong with stopping to ask, but I personally would not consider buying from someone with that many goats in the pasture. I would be worried that they would be simply pasture goats, too wild for you to handle, and perhaps not as well taken care of as you would like. How does someone with that many often wild goats trim hooves, worm, etc? (Now y'all don't get mad if you have that many, I'm just saying I wonder about it.) Also, I've seen some does with very, very nasty looking udders come through sale barns. If you do not know what you're looking for, imo, you're not likely to get a good deal out of a full pasture.
jmo.
mary