Should I get this goat?

Ravenlost · #1 05/26/09, 02:00 AM

http://memphis.craigslist.org/grd/1188214584.html

RiverPines · #2 05/26/09, 02:27 AM

No!
First of all a pygmy should look like a barrel with legs. Thats poor thing looks anorexic.

Also its older and has a prob with its udder?

If you want bills and possibly spreading disease to any goats or sheep you have, then sure, for free maybe.

This is a rescue case for someone that doesn't mind the financial potential nor the risk. You dont pay to rescue someone elses disaster.

Jyllie63 · #3 05/26/09, 05:32 AM

I don't know anything about pygmy's so I really can't help with that. Are you just wanting one for brush and weed control? I know you're always up for helping a neglected animal

. Keep us posted if you decide to take a look at her.

I noticed the ad was from Hernando...my DH's grandmother lives there. Are you from there as well?

Alice In TX/MO · #4 05/26/09, 06:31 AM

NO. She's not tested for CL and CAE. You don't want her shedding bad bacteria on your property.

LaManchaPaul · #5 05/26/09, 08:49 AM

NO!!!
There is a certified clean goat out there waiting for you to love 'um.

Why do you want to get a goat? What is in your future with goats?

Get the most problem-free goat possible that meets your current and future needs.

Best. I'd love to see pix of your pick.

Paul

DairyGoatSlave · #6 05/26/09, 09:38 AM

I would say no...I would maybe call animal crulity, because pygmys are NOT supposed to look like that....Its very sad to see....

southerngurl · #7 05/26/09, 09:42 AM

That goat should be free (unless they are just asking a price to hopefully keep it from going to a bad home?). No, not a good first goat at all. Don't try to get one on the cheap, you will probably be sorry. If you want a brush eater, check with someone with a clean herd of dairy goats and ask for some whethers. They will do a fine job.

susanne · #8 05/26/09, 12:03 PM

$25 seems to be a fair price for some meat to make good salami

madness · #9 05/26/09, 12:13 PM

Oh Ravenlost, I know just what you are thinking. I see those sorts of ads in my area all the time. We recently took in 5 charity livestock charity cases (and paid for them even...). I have to tell you, it's not really been "worth it" but hopefully things will turn out fine. If you have a really good goat vet, I might reconsider, but if it's just going to be you struggling to figure out what's going on, it can be really hard.

I don't recall, but I don't think you have other goats. She would be lonely...and goats are addicting! So you might end up with way more than you bargained for!

billooo2 · #10 05/26/09, 01:25 PM

looks like you are getting good advice.............buying that goat looks like it will cost you a ton of money that you would save by just buying from an established breeder.

RiverPines · #11 05/26/09, 02:46 PM

There are inexpensive, unregistered pygmy goats and mixes out there that are healthy.
When I sell unregistered mix breed goats its for 25-50 bucks.

There really is no reason to buy a sickly older goat unless you want to do a rescue.

PNP Katahdins · #12 05/26/09, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RiverPines

There really is no reason to buy a sickly older goat unless you want to do a rescue.

That may be the wrong thing to say to Ravenlost.

I would suggest a nice, healthy pair of disbudded younger goat wethers as a good first step, and THEN the rescue goats and vet bills.

Peg

bigfoot2you · #13 05/26/09, 03:40 PM

I would worry about those horns with your other animals.........I've had goats, somebody could lose an eye!

Ravenlost · #14 05/26/09, 03:56 PM

Well, some of y'all have me pegged for sure! I don't have any goats, although my Daddy had goats when I was growing up. So, it's been a long time since I've been around them and I really don't know a lot about keeping them (hopefully some of it will come back). I want goats for brush control and maybe for milking (that's what Daddy had...my kids were raised on goat milk).

I was hesitant about this goat, but really felt bad for it. I'm only 17 miles from Hernando. I've done wonders for some very sick, injured dogs and cats. Couldn't I do the same for a goat?

southerngurl · #15 05/26/09, 04:22 PM

If it is CL and CAE negative then yes, you probably can. But if it is CL positive, you can infect your other animals, your soil and even yourself.

Griffin's Ark · #16 05/26/09, 04:45 PM

Do you have a place to isolate it? Can you afford a vet bill? I would want to see the udder via picture. I would not be turned off by the description or the pictures I just saw online. Pygmies are not going to add much to the homestead. We are actually slowly selling ours off, many people want them as pets, but we are not comfortable with selling to many people. It sounds to me like you are that goats best chance for survival though. It will go for meat soon enough I expect.

Chris

Ravenlost · #17 05/26/09, 05:33 PM

Chris, yes I have a place to isolate it...several places in fact. And yes, I can afford the vet bill. Our vet is very good about working with us by giving us discounted prices, etc.

I think I will contact the people and ask for more photos, or for the opportunity to get the goat from them free of charge.

madness · #18 05/26/09, 07:24 PM

Ravenlost, does your vet have goat experience? It's not a must, but it can really help! If he/she doesn't have experience and is willing to research, that's a good option too. At least you already have a relationship with the vet and they know that you are willing to save animals.

Ask if the goat has been tested for either CL or CAE (though I doubt it). See if she is in milk or is dry. One of our does gets edema quite easily in her udder but some vitamin C clears it up right away. If in milk (or even if not), it could be mastitis I think. Sometimes that can be quite simple to treat - and not even expensive. You could be saving an otherwise healthy goat with a simple problem. Or she could have one of the big bad diseases which makes life unpleasant for the goat. I hope it's the former!

Let us know how it goes!

DairyGoatSlave · #19 05/26/09, 07:27 PM

Well I hope If you can Fix her you do it, but be sure to look out for the best intrest for your possbile goats later on

I wish ya luck and keep us updated!!!

Ravenlost · #20 05/26/09, 09:38 PM

There are two livestock vets on staff at our vet's office. SIGH...hubby is saying NO because we have two dogs and a cat that need spayed, plus four younger dogs who need their one year puppy booster shots.

I'm calling the folks tomorrow to ask the questions y'all have recommended I ask. I was totally clueless about CL and CAE...read the stickies and did some research on it so I'll proceed with caution.

I'll definitely keep y'all updated.