I want goat DW says no

[duckidaho]

Howdy, how do you convince your partner to get dairy goats? She says she doesn't want to be tied down to milking them every day. I don't mind milking them daily.

I was a rambling man (or running boy) when I was younger. I left home when I was 17 and wandered around the country like a vagabond for 20 years. I could sit at home on my farm for the next 20 years and be perfectly content.

Any thoughts on selling the idea of goats and daily milking to the SO?

[TSYORK]

If you're going to be the one milking, then she really doesn't have a say. Man, life is too short to want something as frugal and elementary as a dairy got and not have it. If you want it, then get it! She will adjust.

[petaddict]

I brought up getting goats a few times and my husband tried really hard to ignore me. I could tell he was hoping I wouldn't get them. It wasn't till his mother said, "I'm surprised you don't have any goats or sheep", then all the sudden it was a great idea. Maybe someone else should mention it and let your wife think it's her idea. Just get them. If she likes animals even a little bit she'll fall madly in love with them. I've mentioned getting rid of one of my goats and my husband stuck up for her. It didn't take long for him to fall.

[wendle]

I agree get the goat. You could try to keep her happy by lining up a friend or neighbor to milk while you're gone, or scheduling a vacation when the goat is dry.

[susanne]

no, to force it on to her and expect her to go along, that is not right.
the partner has always a saying too. she or he ( gender really doesn't matter )
has to adjust to a new life style. if you get sick, she has to do the work.
it would be much better to convince her how great dairy goats are and how healthy the milk will be and what you can do with all the milk. ice cream, cheese, yoghurt soap.......
maybe that will bring her over if not, it will be just a dream.

[Nina]

You'll need at least 2 goats. They need companionship. And I agree with Susanne, don't force it. She's your best friend. Best friends don't force.

[nehimama]

Show her the pics from the threads on new baby goat kids!

NeHi

You should have started by asking for a dozen cows and let her talk you down to 2 goats....

[Danaus29]

You can't expect her to love the idea if she will be doing any of the work or if she really hates goats. If you have a history of "dumping" animals on her, forget it. The idea of having to be home every day at the same time for a year or more is what is keeping us from getting a dairy goat now.

[CoM1]

I love animals & thought I wanted a few goats too for all of the beneficial reasons but upon more research I learned they are escape artists, eat everything, you have to care for their hooves, milk everyday and care for them medically.

I decided to barter with a neighbor for milk :-)

[stoneyheights]

Maybe discuss a trial period? Like if you buy a doe & wether and do a year of milking, and if it works out for a year, you get to keep them, possibly buy more... and if not, you promise to sell them?

[KimM]

Everyone needs their own hobbies. Life's too short, if you want goats, read up and get a couple goats.

[thaiblue12]

Find a farm with nice friendly goats and bouncy cute babies. Goats have great personalities and can win you over fast, the babies especially. Do not take her to a commercial place or a place where goats are not friendly. Point out how cute and etc they are, show her their berry poop.
Then go to a dairy farm with but cows and their big nasty cow patties and she will love a pair of goats

[deineria]

You must have two. Do not try having only one.

Secondly, you could leave kids on the mother and not be tied to milking constantly. . .

[goatkid]

You need to be willing to be their sole caretaker or hire help if she's not interested in goat care. If she likes cute animals, baby goats may just win her over. My DH got a job at a goat dairy and then kept saying I should get goats. When his boss needed surgery he talked me into helping out. It was kidding season and now it's all history. Those adorable Nubian kids won me over. Now I'm the one with too many goats according to DH. I'm also willing to provide most of their care.

[Rockytopsis]

Originally Posted by susanne

no, to force it on to her and expect her to go along, that is not right.
the partner has always a saying too. she or he ( gender really doesn't matter )
has to adjust to a new life style. if you get sick, she has to do the work.
it would be much better to convince her how great dairy goats are and how healthy the milk will be and what you can do with all the milk. ice cream, cheese, yoghurt soap.......
maybe that will bring her over if not, it will be just a dream.

Sound advice.
Nancy

[nehimama]

Very good points from Susanne. I hope you and DW can come to an agreement.

NeHi

[duckidaho]

Thanks for the thoughts. I think it will happen, just maybe not this spring. We are starting an expanded homestead in a new location and have lots and lots to do. Coming home with a new goat "surprise!" is worse than coming home with a new gun.

[prairiedog]

Originally Posted by KimM

Everyone needs their own hobbies. Life's too short, if you want goats, read up and get a couple goats.

I agree and have experience with this. Believe me you can't live for the other person all the time and end up happy

[QoTL]

Moon over baby goat pics. Do a lot of sighing. Stare off blankly (and hopefully) at the barn and when she asks what you are doing, say "nothing, you don't really want to know anyway", sound a little sad.

At the fair, drag her off to the goat pens. Pet every single one, and baby talk them a lot. Tell your spouse over and over how cute they are. Keep telling her how they are more like dogs than farm animals but without hogging the bed and fleas.

And if all that fails... a little 'adult time' never hurt .... (women especially love it when you do the dishes and laundry without asking.)


My dh said he HATED goats. He said it for 3 years. Finally he gave in