Adding to the herd

doulanobles · #1 05/23/08, 02:40 PM

I'm thinking of adding to our herd of 3...Goats are addicting!

I have a nubian, an alpine mix and her doeling. I tried to breed the nubian but she didn't settle. The alpine mix only had a single so...I'm thinking of buying more goats!

My alpine has one finctioning teat, but gives me aboout 2 quarts in a once a day milking and feeds the tank of a daughter she has

I have an opportunity to buy an alpine with 2 doelings at her side for $150. She kidded on March 12th and is feeding both doelings and giving 2 quarts a day. The babies are 50% Boer, 50% alpine.

I'd like to raise some goats for meat and with 3 total doelings that are 50% boer, I figured I could breed them to a Boer late winter and get my meat that way and keep their mamas for milk. 2 quarts a day is just enough for our fresh drinking but not enough to make cheese and stuff.

Also, I figured i could sell any extra kids.. So, is this the best way to 'grow' a herd? I have great pasture( 4-5 acres) and a barn so I'm set there but i don't want to make too foolish a financial decision.

Sorry for the rambling! Any thoughts?

**mygoat** · #2 05/23/08, 03:14 PM

150 for the three may or may not be a good deal. Why are they selling her with two doelings for only 150? Do the need immediate herd reduction NOW due to some other cause, or is she poor quality?

When looking for goats, I look at the herd - tested clean herd, disease free, do they look healthy?

The herd name/owner - do they show, DHIR/other production records, have a good reputation?

Then finally, if I like the herd and herd name I'll go look at individual animals conformation. With a dairy doe, your main concern should be that her conformation allows for years of productive life; good capacity and well sprung ribcage, level topline, wide enough hips for easy birthings, nice legs, well attached udder with easy to milk sized teats (if she's a FF, expect smaller teats)

doulanobles · #3 05/23/08, 03:19 PM

Good points to remember! I know they are CL/CAE free and according to my source, very well taken care of and sweet natured. I think she needs to thin her herd and is going with all meat goats instead. I don't know about showing...

I guess she's a great milker and mama and had an easy birth. I think this one in March was her first.

I'll go see them first, of course. I just wonder if I want meat and dairy, if this is the way to go? Plus, I really like alpines...not sure why

Maybe I'll take someone with me to look at them, like someone more experienced!

Thanks!

**mygoat** · #4 05/23/08, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doulanobles

Good points to remember! I know they are CL/CAE free and according to my source, very well taken care of and sweet natured. I think she needs to thin her herd and is going with all meat goats instead. I don't know about showing...

I guess she's a great milker and mama and had an easy birth. I think this one in March was her first.

I'll go see them first, of course. I just wonder if I want meat and dairy, if this is the way to go? Plus, I really like alpines...not sure why

Maybe I'll take someone with me to look at them, like someone more experienced!

Thanks!

If she's just thinning her herd to all meat, and wants the dairies/percentages gone, then this is a steal. CL and CAE negative, jump on it! LOL Just be sure to ask for proof of testing, and isolate them when you first get them until you can run a test of your own - I suggest Johne's testing as well, just to be sure.

If meat/milk is what you want, those 50% doelings as well as the alpine doe will keep you in the milk for sure. Just breed them to a nice boer buck and you should be set on meat. If your alpine doe is any good, I would actually suggest breeding her to an alpine buck, because you can sell her kids for more (once again, if she's quality) and you'll still likely get all the meat kids you'll need out of the two 50% doelings.

I love my alpines too - sweet, sassy, excellent producers of tasty milk, and BEAUTIFUL.

jBlaze · #5 05/23/08, 06:05 PM

There is an alpine breeder in Whidby Island, 2TufAlpines I think. Maybe she knows what is in your area too. There is a way spendy breeder in your area too, wierd name I can never remember. try looking duhgoatman.

Alice In TX/MO · #6 05/23/08, 06:22 PM

I would jump on that deal quicker than a duck on a June bug.

doulanobles · #7 05/26/08, 08:56 PM

Ok, new twist and now I need more advice as usual!

Turns out there was no testing for cae/cl so unknown status. Mom is pure white alpine that is 3 almost 4 yo and this is her 3rd kidding. She has had twin girls every time. She gives 2 quarts a day plus feeding her babes. The kids, who were born in March, have not been disbudded. I know it's too late now and I'm not sure if we want any witgh horns. Also, dd can't bring them to fair if they have horns.

It's a seemingly good deal but now I'm not sure. They are very docile and in very good condition. The gal is just thinning to make more room for pure meat goat herd.

What is y'alls opinion on horns and unknown CAE?CL? She was brought home to this gal as a 3 month old and has never left her farm.

Help!

doulanobles · #8 05/27/08, 09:41 AM

Ok, I have to decide by tomorrow! I need help!

thaiblue12 · #9 05/27/08, 09:58 AM

You can get them tested before you bring them home and wait for results if she is ok with that. Or you can bring htem home and keep them far far from your goats and get them tested.
As far as horns you can put tennis balls on them for now until you can use the bands to have them fal off. Do not do it until after fly season is over thought. I will edit this in a minute to get that website since I do not have it memorized.

http://www.greatgoats.com/management.html

One thing that worries me is when people talk about goats at the fair and etc don't any of you worry they will pick up something from all these strange goats and all the testing and safety means nothing? Just becasue you test does not mean the person in the next stall did/does. Or maybe I am a germ-o-phobic.

jBlaze · #10 05/27/08, 11:22 AM

I would pass. You don't want horns and you don't want CAE or CL. Don't get stuck with less than you are looking for just because you are in a hurry!

You will find a better situation, be patient.

doulanobles · #11 05/27/08, 01:15 PM

I think you're right. I am going to pass. I thought I'd just buy the mom because she doesn't have horns but I still don't know cae status on her.

I looked at some nubian doelings today but again, unknown cae status and they had a buck escape inot their pen so they may be bred at only 5-6 months old.

I heard that you can;t even get an accurate cae test until 6 months?