Cost to keep Goats?

[holsteintater]

We are at a transitional point. We are selling our cow. My friend suggested goats so I figured I would like to look into it.

Does anyone know if there is a chart that compares cost of goats versus cows?

Would woven wire horse and cattle fencing contain goats?

Does the estimate of about 1 bale of day for 3 days (for 2 goats) sound about right?

Thanks!

[stanb999]

Sure that should be plenty of hay for a goat. But you will need to give feed or grain for milk production. Tho, some give Alfalfa hay or pellets in stead of the grain. So the cost per unit can be quite variable.

[Minelson]

Sorry, don't know of any charts. Woven wire & cattle fencing will contain goats but you may want to put electric on it to keep them from rubbing on it. I have mini goats..3 of them..and a bale of hay would last more than 3 days if I fed small amounts at a time so there wouldn't be much waste. Goats waste a lot of hay if given the chance. Check out the fencing on this post...I think it is woven horse wire. Looks nice!
Our first goat

[RiverPines]

A lot depends on the breed and the individual goat.
Dairy has higher needs in food than meat or pet.
Large breeds eat more than mini's.

Some go under fences, some are deer and easily jump over even tall fences and some just find away to destroy and go through fences...LOL, we had that happen.

So, first you need to figure out a breed and its purpose, dairy, meat, fiber, brush clearer, pet.
Then you can figure what your all going to need.

[QoTL]

I have two goats, 1 Alpine and one Nig Dwarf. Both are open, and neither is in milk. They go through 1 bale per week between the two of them, grain, and browse. Right now I think I figured it costs me $40 a month to keep them, but I expect that to go up with winter/pregnancy/milking. My dh put that super tall deer fencing around my girls, that seems to work out just fine. Wasn't cheap, but they can't jump over and not much could get in.

Just wanted to give you my estimate so far. I have NO idea how that compares to keeping your cow

Meghan

[RiverPines]

Also the cost of feed varies from location to location, person to person.
We just bought our winters supply, 10 large rounds, (1200lbs), mixed hay 30% alfalfa, for $45 each.

We go through 1/2 of a large round of mixed hay per month with browse in summer for 13 goats and 3 sheep.

In winter its 1 large round, and grain in the coldest months, for 10 goats and 3 sheep.

[holsteintater]

To clarify, we were thinking of two nubian does in milk. My cow can pack away a bale a day if it's good quality stuff like alfalfa.

[YuccaFlatsRanch]

I roughly figure two 2 inch flakes of hay per day per animal. Supplemented with some alfalfa and/or grain when milking. Pretty much the same for my sheep.

[manygoatsnmore]

I think I've seen info that says that 5 goats equal 1 cow for food intake...can't remember where I read it though. I'd suggest Googling to see what you can find. And yes, 2 goats, adults, in milk, will go through about a bale per 3 days if able to browse, 2 if dry lotted. Make sure you find a method to feed the hay where the goats can't get into the feeder - I like to use a section of stock panel, so they have to stick their heads through to eat and they can't get in and lay in the hay, pee on it, etc. They won't eat it if it's soiled, and they can waste a whole lot of hay that way.

[steff bugielski]

Well I have a raw milk dairy so my cost s are probably more due to some of the requirements of the state, it cost me $700.00 per goat a year minimum.
I have taken into consideration everything from feed, hay, supplements, vet, paper towels, milk filters, meds, and any thing else but not the electric or water.
Now figure your does should give you 1 gallon a day on average for about 9-10 months. I sell the milk for $9 a gallon so I have the potential to bring in $2500.00 a year per goat. I milk 8.
Milk for just the family will cost less but you asked.

[Alice In TX/MO]

The problem is that goats multiply. It's hard to have just two.

Not to mention that I keep wanting to build things for them. Play equipment, more pens, another shelter, another feeder.

It's not the goats and feed. It's the accessories!