Need opinions, moving who to bring

waygr00vy · #1 10/21/08, 07:06 AM

Ok, so I am moving to Maryland from Florida the first of January. I am definitely going to try and sell most of the goats, but I did want to bring some of them. Unfortunately, I planned for my does to kid in November this year (before knowing I would be moving). So I will have kids to chose from or bring a few of my older does. First I thought about bringing the does so I could have milk right away up there (I probably won't have a job immediately and will have lots of time to play with cheese and soap!). Then I realized they probably won't milk worth a darn after that move plus the temperature change and all that (these are ND's so if they aren't milking close to their max it almost isn't worth milking). So then I thought about bringing up some kids from my nicer does as they will be easier to move anyway and being a native floridian I might take some time until I adjust enough to want to go milk goats in the winter....do you guys all do that?? I could milk and freeze a bunch before the move and bring it for cheese/soap. I do have one nubian I just bred I might bring. She will be due in February so then I will have atleast some milk. I feel bad bringing any really as they are going to go from Florida winter to Maryland right in January!!

As I have been pondering this, I see what you guys up north breed for spring kids!

mary,tx · #2 10/21/08, 09:23 AM

When we moved from Texas to Colorado several years ago, I paired down to only a few goats. First to go were the ones with horns, because they would have been too agressive on the trailer to my polled does. I also sold the buck, and bought a new one in Colorado.

I can tell you that for a Southern girl, it is definitely not as much fun tending barn chores in the cold.

The main reason I was glad I didn't sell them all and just go without them was that my best friends were made because of them.

mary

sungirl · #3 10/21/08, 12:00 PM

I would keep only the best. Dust off the score card and only keep the ones closest to the best animal.
It isn't much fun feeding in the winter, but you will like the first few years. After that you just get tried of it.

Patty.

crazygoatgal · #4 10/21/08, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sungirl

I would keep only the best. Dust off the score card and only keep the ones closest to the best animal.
It isn't much fun feeding in the winter, but you will like the first few years. After that you just get tried of it.

Patty.

Patty has a good point. You will be in the "honeymoon" period for a winter or two. I can tell you from experience that in Northeastern Vermont it gets to be 20-30 below 0 and that is just a nightmare to go out and do chores in. I always dry up my does before it gets that cold because you and the goat are just miserable on the stand. Cold hands and warm teats are not conducive to a happy relationship with your does. I think you are safe from the winter nightmare we have here, though. I actually emailed a friend of mine who moved to Florida and gave her your web address. She is interested in some of you animals, but needs to scrape up some money first. She has owned ND's before and just loves them to pieces. I hope something works out for the two of you. Her name is Katherine.

waygr00vy · #5 10/21/08, 07:28 PM

Hopefully it won't get quite that cold, but I know it was 29 there the other night (I have been keeping an eye on temps) and I don't think we got that cold at all the last two winters here!! I am excited about the whole seasons and snow thing though. And not having to worry quite so much about internal parasites and things that like warm, wet weather. Oh, oh and cheaper hay! I am tired of paying 6.50 a bale for browned out coastal hay and 15 a bale for anything with some green in it!! I guess I will wait until everyone kids to really make the final decisions. It is really hard! My original plan was to narrow it down to 5 or 6, but not sure if that is going to be possible!!

Thanks crazygoatgal! I am going to have my hands full trying to sell kids and adults all before I go. Hopefully I can work something out with your friend if she is interested in any.

christie · #6 10/21/08, 08:28 PM

Living in Ct. i am trying to have my goats kid in may or June. Having to milk goats in Jan and Feb it is too cold!!
I may choose the kids that way you don't have to milk. You can get acclimated to your new home, surroundings, feed, fencing , ect.. Before having to milk your goats 2xs a day in the freezing cold.
If yoiu have a doe that will freshen later in February you may be okay then.