Newbie and Goat Breeds

Shrarvrs88 · #1 07/30/10, 04:43 PM

So, I don't have any goats, yet. I am researching and learning so when I move into the country again I can get two does, or possibly more, but likely only two.

I hear again and again about certain breeds, Nubians, Saanens, Boers, LaManchas, Fainting goats, Netherland Dwarfs, and Pygmees. Plus a couple more.

I don't want nubians. (no offence) I had them as a kid, and hated that they were constantly running from me, and screaming their fool heads off. Then again, It could have been the goats, not the breed. They were swaybacked, and while they were freindly, they had no decency at all, wouldn't be on a leash, and you couldn't catch them unless you cornered them. They were very noisy, and I don't want an extremely noisy animal.

We also had an ND, but I know she was just not a nice goat. Se was BEAUTIFUL, but had a horrible bag, and would kick and jump and hook you, if she could. Those goats almost put me off of goats, forever.

Are there other breeds in America besides the very common ones? I would like a dual purpose, like a nubian, but was thinking of something small like an ND, esspessially when I heard about the high fat content in their milk, and that they are actualy generally freindly, and since they are small, they should be easily controlled.

I think this is what I am looking for: a milk animal that is freindly, and gentle, because I have young children, and don't want to have to man handle, or chase, goats. I would like a goat that is quiet, although that is not a requirement. I would definately like a lower energy animal, and one that is not too disposed to escape.

Are there any breeds like this? I definately only want a couple, because I don't think I would want to have the resposibility to milk more than we would need, but I would like to have enough that I could make butter and cheeses from the milk, but someone told me you can't make butter from goat milk.

Any suggestions?

rootsandwings · #2 07/30/10, 05:15 PM

partly it is the individual goat.

I have a mini nubian - a cross of the two breeds you don't like, who is sweet and gentle. She was also quiet, but now she has a naughty baby (who wanders off in the field) and calls to the baby all the time.

my full sized nubians love me - but only me, and they are stubborn. Those are the only breeds i know well.

I make butter in small batches. It doesn't keep long.

Alice In TX/MO · #3 07/30/10, 05:27 PM

You might want to think about a Mini-Mancha. My most gentle loving doe is a Mini-Mancha.

My girl:
Newbie and Goat Breeds - Goats

Look for good teats!
http://glimmercroft.com/MiniManchaDoes.html

Oat Bucket Farm · #4 07/30/10, 06:28 PM

I think regular LaManchas are perfect

Wags · #5 07/30/10, 06:33 PM

I have children (4 & 6 yrs old) and Nigerian Dwarf goats. The 2 and 4 legged kids all get along great. Some of the does are more likely to want attention than others but generally speaking they are quiet and well behaved and the bucks are too.

copperpennykids · #6 07/30/10, 06:45 PM

Quote:

I think this is what I am looking for: a milk animal that is freindly, and gentle, because I have young children, and don't want to have to man handle, or chase, goats. I would like a goat that is quiet, although that is not a requirement. I would definately like a lower energy animal, and one that is not too disposed to escape.

Ironically, you are describing the largest of the goats - a Saanen. They are mellow, yet affectionate. Regal but not aloof. Very quiet. (Many moons ago when we raised Pedigreed Rex rabbits folks were not more than 25 feet from the goat pen, but didn't realize we had goats until I mentioned them).

Our Saanens do not try to escape. Too busy eating hay, drinking water, chewing their cud and making milk. They just love to give milk!

They are generally very easy to milk - my DDs at the age of 10 could milk 3/4 of a gallon in about 8 minutes. Of course a little more time spent brushing the goat, cleaning the udder etc.... Saanens are kid-friendly - easily handled. They line up nicely for milking time (they know the milking order and which milk stand to jump on when it is their turn).

Lots of milk. You would only need two! Or one doe and a wether.

Tasty milk, but not the highest in butterfat. Ideal multi-purpose goat for homestead is really a Boer/Saanen cross doe. Milk is high in butterfat, still get quite a large quantity and a long lactation. Bred to a Boer buck will give you 75% Boer kids, growthy and meaty.

ozark_jewels · #7 07/30/10, 06:47 PM

The qualities you describe in the goats that you knew are NOT breed traits, they are problems the goats that you knew, had.
Seriously, if you like the idea of a ND size, then get a ND with good udder, no horns and good temperment.
I have Lamanchas and Nubians. They do not run from anyone, They lead fine, they are friendly, loving, no sway backs at all.
I'd reccomend you forget all about your previous experience and go for a breed that suits what you need.
If you want a small dual-purpose, you might look at Kinders.
You can find most the qualities you describe in any breed, just look for goats that are like what you have in mind.
I repeat, the traits you describe that you hate, are NOT breed traits of any goat.
So if you like the size and idea of a ND, go for it.

Shrarvrs88 · #8 07/30/10, 07:54 PM

I was wondering if it was just a "the goats I had", thing. I never lliked those things, and they were so horrid, I couldn't understand why anyone would want them, so I started hangingout here, mostly to try to figure out what anyone liked about them.

How feasible is it to have a mixed herd so I can try a few out, and then sell back out whatever I don't love? Maybe a ND, a Sannen, and a mini mancha (the pic is ADORABLE!)

I also like the idea of a boer cross, and then have meaty kids. Goat meat is so delisious, it might be worth having them just for that! lol. But then the milk, and we do tend to have problems with milk in my family. Honestly the one good thing about me having those was the taste of the milk. It was amazing, until the billy kid got big, and I (being a kid who hated goats) started to pour out the milk to the cats, and what I did bring in, I wouldn't drink because the milk was too strong toward the end. Probably a mixture of billy running with them, it being the heat of summer, and ( learning from on here) my not caring to get the milk inside and cooled. I was NOT a good goat keeper

I plan on doing it better next time. I also know now that fencing is everything.

What should I look for when picking out goats, and what should I do for them before they come (I still don't have a pl,ce to have them, but want to be prepared, and maybe have goats or at least a herd picked before I move).

Are bottle babies better? Can you tell the kind of udder a baby will have? How do most of you breed your does? do you have a buck on hand, or do you find someone else's buck to use? Should I get grown goats or babies?

prairiedog · #9 07/30/10, 08:55 PM

Love our Lamanchas they are quiet and not crazy. I will admit the Emilies Nubians were so much better mannered than the nubians we almost set our herd up with this spring. The ones we had briefly this spring were loud,crazy and very high strung. But since we are in town the quiet we get from the Lamanchas is so great. Even the two year old grandson can lead them from pasture to the barn at feed time

Oat Bucket Farm · #10 07/30/10, 09:18 PM

Yeah, the Nubians we got from Emily were very sweet, realitively quiet, easy keeping goats. We weren't able to get down to get more goats from her this spring and so got some from a lady we found that was only an hour away with these really nice lines and such and man those goats were irritating. Loud,loud,loud and stupid stubborn crazy. Must have been the lines.

That said, even the Nubian from Emily were quite loud compared to tiny,quiet voices of our LaManchas. Nubians tend to have loud voices and many opinions. I have found LaManchas to be absolutely wonderful goats. And Emily has those too.

2manydogs · #11 07/31/10, 03:42 AM

I would suggest that you go to state fair next month and look at all the breeds of goats. This way you can see what is available in our area and make contacts. The fair office should be able to tell you what days goats are showing.
The first thing you should to do is figure out your goals for owning goats. Okay, you want milk, do you want put kids in the freezer every year? Do you want to pick up a couple of bummer lambs and put them in the freezer? Goats milk will raise them too. Goals will help choose your breed.
Dry, wind proof, well ventilated shelter. Too closed up of quarters get damp really quick and cause illness.
Hay storage, a ton of hay takes up a 10x10x8 foot area.
Many more things I could think of but I gotta sleep sometime.

Jill