What goat should I get?

[airotciv]

I just want goats, for pets and eating weeds, maybe milk for soap. My nieghbors down the road have crosses, they use them for weed control/pets. I was just wondering what you would buy?

[Honeybee]

If it's just for feeds a couple of mixed breed wethers would work fine. However, if you tie them out they'll be dog bate

If you want milk then you'll need a doe and you won't want her eating weeds that makes the milk taste and smell yucky!

One goat is a bad idea, they are herd animals and will not only be lonely and sad it would most likely cry and hollar and drive you bonkers too.

We let our goats who are raising their own babies browse grass, weeds and what ever, but only in fences to protect them from stray dogs. The does we milk we only let eat pasture grass after they've been milked. The eat alfalfa in the evening when they come into the barn and grain on the milk stand. Minerals are in the barn and a selenium block in the pasture. Water in both places.

LaManchas are my favorite milk goat, I love their warm friendly personalities and their kids are so spunky right from birth.

Best to you

[vallyfarm]

An Alpine cross is the most common/cheapest in my area. I would start with a cheaper goat...at leats two animals. Find out if you like them. If you do, then by the time you decide to have more, or a specific type, you will have read so much about them that you will have a much better idea of what YOU want than any of us here. Mike

[maryanne]

i love my boer goats.

[HazyDay]

Well this is hard! What breed do you like better?

For milk you need a doe! no duh! well here's some very good milkers
Alpines,Saanens,La Mancha's, and Toggenburgs

For a small amount of milk try Nubians. High butter fat in milk and milks about a gallon aday. Just the right amount for us. I really can't drink 2 or 3 gallons of Alpines aday!

For Pets any goat will do BUT DON"T GET A BUCK.

I like m Nubians for the milk part. They are just so cute with the floppy ears. And the chesse won't take so much milk. Now Im not sure why people say nubians yell ll the time. Mine never say boo.

So get the breed you like best. And if that is a boer you still can milk her. JUST BE CARFUL OF A FOOT CUTTING YOUR HAND OR DUMPING THE MILK!

[Goat Freak]

We started out with mutt goats, I think they have a bit of mini in them, we decided we loved goats, and got boers, it's been very hard,we've had a lot of sadness, but now we've got a grip on how to take care of them, and we're doing much better, we've had a lot of happiness this year, only a bit of sadness. I agree with valley farm, get some mutts, see if you like them, and if you do, you can get a different breed if you want. That way you don't spend too much money on a specific breed of goat, that you might end up selling later anyway. Well good luck. Bye.