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07/19/10, 08:28 AM
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 82
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Input needed from seasoned goat owners
First let me say that I do have some minimal goat experience; learned to handle, feed and milk them as a kid. That said, I want to add goats to my farm for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is milk.
I had been looking into Nigerians which I love, but here in Alabama they have proved difficult to find and between $200 and $300 for a kid when I could find them. I am looking for the most cost-effective breed(s) to purchase to get me started. This will certainly earn me the ire of some but I am not interested in pedigree, registered animals or anything else of that nature, just a few good natured goats.
I welcome any input, suggestions or advice on the subject.
Michael
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Michael
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07/19/10, 08:49 AM
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Retired Coastie
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,653
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hi
If you like Nubians contact me for info. My girls are tamer than most peoples house pets. The reason I'm mentioning this is because you may live close to me....Topside
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TOPSIDE FARMS
Last edited by topside1; 07/19/10 at 08:52 AM.
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07/19/10, 08:54 AM
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 82
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We've been talking a lot about Nubians and Saanen's lately. I've spent time with both breeds and I honestly don't have a preference other than milk production and demeanor.
Monterey is about 4 hours from me. I'll send you a pm in just a bit. Thanks for responding!
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Michael
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07/19/10, 08:54 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Monroe Ga
Posts: 4,637
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ill sell you some excellent bred grade goats, great breedings just never sent the papers off and now Im in a battle with ags because when i did, they got lost in the mail.
The dam to one doe is my top milker and is out of some of the best breeding Little tots has. The bucklings I have grand dam is Cowgirl on LTE site, 9xs best udder 6xs best in show, and the buck I think can be seen on www.picturetrail.com/hinterlandnigerians he is adam, btw the pictures need to be updated as he looks a heck of allot better. I also have grown bucks for sale. if interested lmk
In total I have three does and three buck/lings ill sell 125 each or make a deal on all
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I'm a goat person, not a people person,
De @ Udderly Southern Dairy Goats
we will be adding a new breed in the spring 
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07/19/10, 08:55 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Monroe Ga
Posts: 4,637
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I have saanans too, great goats but HUGE!
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I'm a goat person, not a people person,
De @ Udderly Southern Dairy Goats
we will be adding a new breed in the spring
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07/19/10, 08:55 AM
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Retired Coastie
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,653
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TOPSIDE FARMS
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07/19/10, 08:57 AM
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Retired Coastie
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,653
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Foggy day, just thought I'd throw in a cute old photo...off to my worklist.
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TOPSIDE FARMS
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07/19/10, 09:04 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: NE Indiana
Posts: 462
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I have DN. I have 2 does and a buck. All are easy to handle as they are a small breed. Their milk is great and the day after milking I have cream that has settled out to the top. I do not however pour off the cream and it is somewhat difficult to do so. The only real complaint I have is that I have one that is very small and her teats touch the milking pail. Somewhat trying to get ehr milked. I had a Nubian milker earlier this year and bigger teats and easier milking but also good on the stand and a real love. I would think that a big goat eats more food and of course a small goat less food. Same care and same diseases affect them. Maybe put a shout out on CL down there and see if there is anyone wanting to reduce their herd size or just have some they no longer want. But-there is soemthing to be said for the genetics and in having proven good to great milking lines. Also seems that after 4-H fairs there seems to be more animals on the sale list. I also have 2 Nubian yearlngs.
Last edited by farmerjohn; 07/19/10 at 09:07 AM.
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07/19/10, 09:33 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Monroe Ga
Posts: 4,637
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sorry topside didnt know you had posted goats for sale as i think we posted at the same time. Ill remove if you feel like i was stepping on toes.
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I'm a goat person, not a people person,
De @ Udderly Southern Dairy Goats
we will be adding a new breed in the spring
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07/19/10, 09:36 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Monroe Ga
Posts: 4,637
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I think the small teats take a different technique than the regular sized as I have a easier time with the NDs vrs the saanans but I have to use two different methods with my hands as one does not work well with the other. I have small hands too so maybe thats got something to do with it.
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I'm a goat person, not a people person,
De @ Udderly Southern Dairy Goats
we will be adding a new breed in the spring
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07/19/10, 10:01 AM
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Retired Coastie
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,653
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Cannon Farms, no problem at all...
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TOPSIDE FARMS
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07/19/10, 11:07 AM
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Katie
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Twining, Mi.
Posts: 19,930
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We have Nigerian Dwarf goats & Love them, Great personality & size, all of them very friendly & lovable. We just got 3 mini Nubians a week ago & Love them already too! I think I would just Love any goat as long as it was firendly, Dh doesn't want the full size though becuase of the wear & tear on the fences & of course they eat more.
Topside, Those are all beautiful goats! Love all the babies!
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07/19/10, 11:11 AM
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 82
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I'd love to get some input about what average prices for the various breeds are if possible.
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07/19/10, 11:32 AM
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Retired Coastie
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,653
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Thanks Katie, I've always liked that photo of the babies. That's them wanting to be reunited with the mama's after I'm done milking. Thanks for the kind comment...Topside
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TOPSIDE FARMS
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07/19/10, 12:12 PM
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Retired Coastie
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Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Monterey, Tennessee
Posts: 4,653
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Twospirt, prices have to many variables: bottle babies, weaned babies, first freshener, bred doe, papered goat, grade goat, family package, goat in milk, dry goat, stand ready goat, milk production, old goat...I'm just speaking in general...Topside
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TOPSIDE FARMS
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07/19/10, 12:26 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 418
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personally im in love with nigis and nubians, ill hopefully be getting both once i get my own place.
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07/19/10, 12:48 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Southern Indiana
Posts: 1,359
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If you want to buy good quality goats, you will have to spend money regardless of breed. $200-300 is on the low end. You can find a decent family milker for that if you shop around, but you may not have much choice in breed. Saanen does in Georgia typically start at $400. There are a lot of Nigerian breeders in Georgia if you are looking for a Nigerian, at least one of which is in West GA, not too far from AL.
The initial investment is the smallest part of what you will be spending on your goats. Have you invested in good shelters and fencing? Do you know where you will be buying feed? Is there a good goat vet in your area, and if not, is there an experienced breeder who can help you? Have you done your research on goat diseases and know what to watch out for when buying a goat?
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07/19/10, 10:33 PM
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: outside of Huntsville, Alabama
Posts: 908
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No clue what they have but this just came up on Huntsville/Decatur Craigslist:
http://huntsville.craigslist.org/grd/1852400801.html
We found our Nubians through a Craigslist ad, guy needed money to pay his summer semester tuition at vet school and selling part of his herd was the way he did it. You have to be on top of it and be the first to call/email when that kind of thing shows up because you aren't the only ones waiting for the quality goats to be up for sale.
Good luck 
-Sonja
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07/20/10, 07:16 AM
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An Ozark Engineer
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Powhatan, AR
Posts: 9,412
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OR. . . you could start out with good quality Nubian does and a good quality Pygmy buck and breed them for KINDERS. Kinders are a mid-size, dual-purpose breed. I have a few, and they are outstanding little milkers. And, because of their smaller size, they are much easier for me to handle than the bigger girls. Good luck in your search. Please let us know what you decide on, and don't forget pictures, please.
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07/20/10, 07:48 AM
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More dharma, less drama.
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Texas Coastal Bend/S. Missouri
Posts: 30,482
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Don't forget to select for teats and udders!
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Alice
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