Who sells milk stock within 3-4 hrs of...

Horse Fork Farm · #1 01/13/11, 05:37 PM

Charleston WV area?

I'm totally burned out on trying to fix up local goats that people just want rid of. I want 2 does from a healthy herd, preferrably a closed herd that practices prevention. I'll have money in March. I'm not interested in showing, just want healthy!

We just bought 50 acres and there's been no animals on it in at least 10-12 yrs so I can start clean and stay that way. The goats I've been able to get here have always been wormy or unthrifty. I'm just a sucker for an animal in need but no more. I need decent milk for my family. I can drive 3 to 4 hours any direction from Charleston. Anybody got any leads? Thanks!!!

6e · #2 01/13/11, 06:02 PM

Good for you on trying to start out right. We learned the hard way and had to start all over again. It seems, around here, a lot of goat people just don't care about their critters enough to test. Drives me nuts. I was looking for a couple extra milk goats and I had someone send me a picture of some they had for sale and one of them, right there in the picture, had a big abscess on the side of her head. Sigh. I asked about CL and he said he didn't know and that he wouldn't guarantee it. Well he can't guarantee it cause he knows he already has it. Grrrr.

Horse Fork Farm · #3 01/13/11, 06:05 PM

6e, there's a whole lot of that attitude here too. Not sure why.... if I had goats I'd sure want clean milk! I tried taking in other peoples rejects and it always ended bad. Just can't do that anymore.

6e · #4 01/13/11, 06:23 PM

Yeah, they do sell the raw milk and cheeses and go to the goat shows and ugh. *shakes head*

julieq · #5 01/13/11, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6e

I was looking for a couple extra milk goats and I had someone send me a picture of some they had for sale and one of them, right there in the picture, had a big abscess on the side of her head. Sigh. I asked about CL and he said he didn't know and that he wouldn't guarantee it. Well he can't guarantee it cause he knows he already has it. Grrrr.

I love the breeders who assure you it's not a big deal, sort of like 'all dairy goats have that'. Lord help the newbie who purchases from this type of breeder! We won't even deal with customers who don't take herd health seriously. I guess I'm just getting older and less patient all the time. Since we drink raw goat milk it's very important to us, but then again we don't want to be responsible for breaking some family's heart when their goats start dying off from CL, CAE, Johnne's, etc.

Horse Fork Farm · #6 01/13/11, 06:59 PM

julieq, I just talked to a young lady whose cat died of listeria from getting the first few squirts from the goat every morning. She was saying that if she hadn't pasteurized it might have been one of her kids! (we were discussing pasteurizers)

Natural Beauty Farm · #7 01/13/11, 07:02 PM

What do you want?
Breed, age, FF?
We're in SW VA and will have about 30 for sale after they freshen.
All nubians though

Mostly show stock lines, but we have decided to let a few go as family milkers for reduced prices, since we just bought two show herds and we don't want to have over 200 here.
Must want a milker though, as that is what we breed for, not so much the show ring.
Most of our girls LA out in high 80's to 90's and we have several on the Elite list for top 5% leaders.
Never had CL on the place and everyone is tested for CAE yearly.

Horse Fork Farm · #8 01/13/11, 07:18 PM

Hi NBF,
I'm just looking for 2 family milkers, not to show. One in milk would be nice but not necessary. My main concern was just a healthy herd and good milking prospect. I got burned on the issue of CL with one goat I had. Since were starting over on clean ground I want to be sure of no CL or CAE. I'm serious about buying but like I posted above, can't do it until March when my taxes come in. Got any pics? I used to live in SW Virginia, in Cedar Bluff near Grundy.

Cheribelle · #9 01/14/11, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heartstrings

julieq, I just talked to a young lady whose cat died of listeria from getting the first few squirts from the goat every morning. She was saying that if she hadn't pasteurized it might have been one of her kids! (we were discussing pasteurizers)

Really? Can you get listeria from raw milk?

Horse Fork Farm · #10 01/14/11, 03:12 PM

Cheri, you can. Do a Google on Listeria and raw milk if you'd like to actually read up on it. Better safe than sorry!

Rockytopsis · #11 01/15/11, 02:07 AM

I sent you a PM with a link, may be a longer drive than you are interested in though.

Kshobbit · #12 01/15/11, 09:18 AM

Ive been raising goats for a long long time, since 1976 and most had not even heard of CAE or CL or Johnnes back then. A few years ago a new meat goat famer asked me to look at his stock. Most looked pretty good then we hit a pasture with a few does with the telltale lumps. I flat told him to quarrantine those does and cull them as soon as possible. He was incredulous! He had been told it was nothing to worry about! Since then he has gone on to registered stock and has a beautiful herd of Kikos.
Then there was the dairy goat breeder who took all her CAE positive does to a Boer Goat breeding stock sale!!! Hello!! meat goat breeders do not want those diseases either!!

SherrieC · #13 01/15/11, 06:12 PM

If you are interested in saanens?
I think Kickadee hills is in your state in Charleston, I would email her. http://kickadeehill.com/
I know from experience that she follows up on her sales with assistance and knowledge if necessary and at least get her opinion on whom to get for a goat vet.
Good luck - Sherrie