Goat questions from a newby.

[knuckledragger]

Hopefully, my suburban family and I will be moving into our place in the country early this summer. We want to raise goats for milk and we are leaning towards dwarf nubians because we only have 4 acres.

• Are there other breeds you would recommend over dwarf nubians and why?
• How many would I need to keep a family of five milk lovers supplied with milk?
• What kind/size of shelter should I build for them (I live in Western TN, so the climate is fairly mild)?
• Where should I go to buy goats (apparently, they don't carry them at Walmart)?

[wintrrwolf]

oh fun fun! This is what I know so far, am a recent (9 months now) transplant to my little 2 acres farm. Family of 5 huh, well raised 4 human kids myself so you are probable going through a gallon every 2 days or less? Depending on if you all have milk with breakfast AND dinner. Anyways havent got to milk my nigi not for another 4 months, and my pygmy was giving me a cup a day with only milking once a day, I am excited though my Saanen is due very soon and her udder is gorgeous! So I am thinking IMHO with 4 acres you could do fine with a few large goats Saanen, Nubian, Lamancha, or quite a few small nigi's OR look into the mini crosses. If you can find a dairy or other homesteaders near you with a selection of dairy nannies in milk you might see if you taste test what kind of milk you like best as well. Where to get? if you find a local dairy goat farm that has milk to taste I am sure that they would also have kids to buy keep their number. Look to your craigslist, newspaper, you could even hang out at the local farm and feed store see who is buying goat food and ask questions I have a goat shed (just a reg. shed )and a couple of large and x-large igloo dog houses for my goats for right now till I build a proper building, that will have milking room, feed room, kid pens yadda yadda you get the idea...

[Backfourty,MI.]

Another place you can look is at your local county fair, check with folks there that have goats showing. hey may have some for sale & may be alot of help for you.
Also your county cooperative extension office may be of help, beside local feed stores will know folks they mix goat feed for too.

If your fencing in 3 0r 4 acres you could get a few full size nubians, alpines, saneens or lamancha's if you choose. They will give more milk than the mini's. If buying mini's for milk I would definately make sure you see the dam's udders, how much milk they give & the sire's line's are helpful also. Just becuase they are a dairy breed mini or full size doesn't always mean your going to get alot of milk from them.
The mini's are harder to milk becuase they have smaller teats.

In TN. Probly nice size lean too type shelters would be enough for them. As long as they can get out of the cold wind & rain, Goats HATE to get wet! Also make sure they have shaded areas for when they want to lie in the shade.

Goats are alot of fun & addicting!!

[chamoisee]

Don't expect that they can live off the 4 acres of grass. They will need hay and grain.

[shiandpete.1]

Make sure you buy from a herd that tests for CAE and has the paperwork to back up being negative. We get 2 1/2 to 3 gallons a day from our lamancha and lamancha cross girls.

[crazygoatgal]

My favorite are the Nigerians and if you like the smaller types, they are wonderful critters. Their milk is DELICIOUS and high in butterfat and protein. They give anywhere from a quart to almost a gallon a day depending on the goat. My average is around 1 1/2 to 2qts. a day per animal. But I have one that gives a pint a milking and another that gave 2qts per milking! So, it's a crap shoot. Look for good genetics and always always confirm that they are disease free. Don't take anyones word for it.

Shelter needs to be dry and draft free, that is the most important. Ater that, you can give them the Waldorf or a Motel 6.

Nigerians are very very friendly and are great for human kids. They have lots of babies, and are excellent mothers. They can have up to 6 at a time. That is rare, but 2 of mine are quints. They can be used for meat as well, but they are a much better dairy animal.

Please go through a breeder that is reputable. I would love to sell you some but doubt that you live close enough to me. I have to downsize and have some lovely animals who have some outstanding genetics. I am about at the point where I may have to slaughter some of the excess bucks and yearlings due to my situation. I am NOT looking forward to that. But please stay away from the auctions just because you never know what you are getting.

Whatever you get, remember they are addictive so plan on having to "keep" all your babies at first. Even if you don't plan on it, it usually does happen. I am proof of that.

[deineria]

Are there other breeds you would recommend over dwarf nubians and why? Nubians are fickle and hard goats to learn on - lol. The same is true of Mini Nubians.
Go with Nigerians. I've found them to be hardier, by far, or Kinders - which are SUPER HARDY. I have and love my Nubians best, but they have nearly bankrupted me - lol!
I have Kinders, a Nigerian, Pymgies, and am breeding for Mini Nubians, too. Love them all, but Pygmys, Kinders and Nigerians are much easier to learn with.
How many would I need to keep a family of five milk lovers supplied with milk?
If you go with Nigerians, I'd get 3 does and one buck. If you go with a large breed like a Nubian or Alpine, one doe and a buck or two does is plenty. One large do should give a gallon a day. Assuming you want to make cheese, then you will want enough milk to experiment with, too.
What kind/size of shelter should I build for them (I live in Western TN, so the climate is fairly mild)? A three sided shelter is fine. A 4x4x4 would work well for a few goats.
Where should I go to buy goats (apparently, they don't carry them at Walmart)?
lol - I would check goatfinder.com for your breed and state. Then as they said above, MAKE SURE they CAE test and check them over for CL lumps or scars. Ask for testing proof, don't be shy!