Nubian/boer prospect?

[DaniR1968]

Someone is advertising baby goats on Craigstlist. So far I have only corisponded by e-mail and he is slow to answer. He says they are vaccinated and wormed. He has one nubian/boer cross doe that is 4 or 5 months old. I am thinking he is a trader but if the goat is in good condition, should I go ahead with it? He is asking $80 for her.

I'm waiting for a picture and have asked if he tests for CL and CAE. How big if a deal is it if he doesn't? Anything I should look for?

Thanks

[southerngurl]

To me, for CL, it means more if their herd has never had abcesses, than to have negative blood tests, because you can easily have false negatives.

Definately would want negative CAE tests.

[Naturaldane]

Im selling my nanny for that, shes 3 and giving a gallon a day currently. Shes not had any testing and I dont think your going to find one with the testing for that cheap.
I feel my goat is healthy and the milk is good, shes in good shape, I just cant milk her

[Alice In TX/MO]

Also depends on what you want them for. Are you needing milk or brush clearing or multipurpose goat or future barbecue?

We just had a couple of Nubian/Boer cross doelings born. We were hoping for one buckling to barbecue, but we've had a doeling year.

We'll let these grow and see if they are meatier than their momma, then decide later whether to breed them for meat babies.

[DaniR1968]

Since he didn't answer the question on testing, I'm assuming he doesn't. I don't know if he's being vague on purpose or is just really, really busy. That makes me nervous and I think I'm going to pass on this one.

I am wanting two goats for milking. I realize this cross probably won't give as much as a pure nubian, however, I have heard of others that do milk this cross. We are only needing two goats for our family of four.

It's the season, I'm sure I'll find a couple does.

[Freeholder]

You'd want to be able to look at her before making any commitments. A Boer cross can make a decent milk goat -- they have rich milk, and you might actually be able to get enough cream to make butter without a cream separator. But the Boer bloodlines can also bring in extra teats, poorly attached udders, and weak pasterns. So you definitely need to examine any goat you are considering purchasing.

The health issues are also important, but I agree that at that price you aren't going to get any testing done. If you are willing to pay more, go to a good breeder, and you will probably be able to get what you are looking for including the testing.

Kathleen

[DaniR1968]

I had read that about the cream so was kind of excited about maybe getting one. What is turning me off isn't just that I'm not sure if he does any testing but that he doesn't answer questions. I have had to remind him several times what I'm looking for and could I see pictures. I asked about testing just to see what he would say but he never answered. It's an hour to where he's at. I would prefer he answer the very simple questions I'm asking before making that drive to look at her. It makes me think he's trying to hide something. Maybe he's not but it really does make me wary.

How much is testing for CAE? Oh, and I don't mind paying more. Right now I'm not seeing anything in my area. I'm not in a hurry though.

[Freeholder]

I'm not sure about the cost of the testing -- it's less if you can draw and send off your own blood samples. I think around $15 for the CAE, but I could be off by a few dollars. It would be quite a bit more, though, if you had a vet do it.

Your seller may be the kind of person I've met a few times -- they pick up animals cheap from wherever, including the auction, and then hold them until they can resell for a significantly higher price. The guys that I've known that did this kind of thing didn't actually know a whole lot about goats, so he may not even have known what CAE or CL were. He might also not have a digital camera. Some older people have internet, but seldom remember to check for messages -- it's just not part of their normal life. So those things could be as much of the problem of slow replies as any ill intent. On the other hand, you could be right -- there are that type, also! Like you, I would certainly want to know more about the animal before driving that far, especially at the price of gas nowadays!

If you'd like to post your approximate location, it's possible that there is someone on here who has goats and is near you -- even if they were too far, or didn't have any for sale, their network of contacts might include someone who had what you are looking for.

Kathleen

[DaniR1968]

I"m pretty certain he is a trader. That itself doesn't turn me off so much as him not answering question and being vague.

I'm am south of Houston and am willing to travel some. I am leaning toward LaMancha or Nubian or mixes. I'm not even set on a baby.

Thanks all.

[chris30523]

I raise some nubian/boer crosses and don't test mine. I don't milk mine though and have a closed herd.Maybe he doesn't know what the testing is cause he has a meat herd. Just a thought.