New to Goats

Uncle JD · #1 01/22/11, 10:52 AM

Shalom everyone,

I recently started a thread here saying I would like to get into goats. I got some really great advice. Thank you. So, we are gonna do it. How many Nubians can I put on 3 acres of establised grass?

Thank you all for everything so far. I look forward to picking your brains.
I also have purchased some books so I don't seem like such an idiot.

Blessings,

jd

Alice In TX/MO · #2 01/22/11, 10:55 AM

Start with two. That will keep you busy, and you will have a good introduction to the world of goats.

It's more about what you can deal with and make your first mistakes on. We all go through that stage!

Start small and grow as necessary.

Uncle JD · #3 01/22/11, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Start with two. That will keep you busy, and you will have a good introduction to the world of goats.

It's more about what you can deal with and make your first mistakes on. We all go through that stage!

Start small and grow as necessary.

That sounds like good advice. Should I pen them up in a smaller area or let them have the entire 3 acres?

Thanks and Blessings,
jd

Oat Bucket Farm · #4 01/22/11, 11:09 AM

Actually, I would say to start with three. That way if something happens to one of them, you aren't scrambling to find another goat friend for the other one.

houndlover · #5 01/22/11, 11:38 AM

Cross fence into two or even three pastures so you can rotate them every couple of weeks.

Uncle JD · #6 01/22/11, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by houndlover

Cross fence into two or even three pastures so you can rotate them every couple of weeks.

Great,,,, thank you. I will try to put a shelter of sorts in each of the pasture areas.

Blessings,

jd

motdaugrnds · #7 01/22/11, 12:28 PM

I would agree with Oat Bucket and start with 3 does.

As for fencing 3 acres, I would section an area down the middle and plant lespedeza "shrubs" in it. Goats are browsers and this shrub is not only healthy for them; but is enjoyed by them. Fencing it off keeps it alive while it grows and throws its seeds all over the remaining acres for little plants to come up for the goats to enjoy. (Once it is established, you can let your goats into that area toward the end of its growing season for them to chow down to their hearts content and it will not harm the shrubs because they come up from the roots. In about 5 yrs you can actually mow them down near the ground and they will come up thicker than ever and, in time, you will have an impenatrable hedge that will automatically divide your 3 acres.)

As for a shelter: You don't need one in "each" of the 3 areas. Just put one at the end with 3 openings (one to each of the 3 areas you have divided.

Oh and if you have room on the other side of that shelter, let it open onto a "garden". (The bedding those goats will use during the winter will make wonderful compost for your vegies.)

Uncle JD · #8 01/22/11, 12:34 PM

Wow,, thanks motdaugrnds, I know that's not your name,,,

thanks very much,,, I will start planning now. Great ideas from all of you. thanks,,,,, My wife and I would love to learn to make cheese. Thus,,, the goats.

Blessings,

jd

Uncle JD · #9 01/22/11, 12:45 PM

I usually hang out in the Chicken room,,,, but you goat folks are pretty awesome too.

blessings,
jd

RoaminRoanAcres · #10 01/22/11, 04:45 PM

My advice is to research CAE and CL now. Some people don't think it is a big others don't want it in their herd at all. Personally, we decided to run with a clean herd here, especially since CAE can mess up udders and milk production is a huge reason why we have the goats. Learn about it now, and make the decision on running a "clean" herd or not. If you decided to go with tested clean animals only, resolve to not give in to buy what is cute or what some good sellers might use word play to get you to buy. ONLY buy if they have a negative test in hand. Don't feel bad about asking for this! You will save yourself lots of heartache, money and frustration if you ensure that you buy clean animals from the get go!
Also know that when people say that they use "CAE prevention" but don't say that it is a CAE free herd that means that they probably have it in their herd. Watch for word play. Even if they pastuerize the milk, mistakes can still happen. We have a CAE free herd, and still do CAE prevention, but have papers to back up our claim. We got taken for a ride by a "responsible breeder" that did word play to us, (and others) and I had to redo my entire herd because of it. Hope this helps!

Uncle JD · #11 01/22/11, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoaminRoanAcres

My advice is to research CAE and CL now. Some people don't think it is a big others don't want it in their herd at all. Personally, we decided to run with a clean herd here, especially since CAE can mess up udders and milk production is a huge reason why we have the goats. Learn about it now, and make the decision on running a "clean" herd or not. If you decided to go with tested clean animals only, resolve to not give in to buy what is cute or what some good sellers might use word play to get you to buy. ONLY buy if they have a negative test in hand. Don't feel bad about asking for this! You will save yourself lots of heartache, money and frustration if you ensure that you buy clean animals from the get go!
Also know that when people say that they use "CAE prevention" but don't say that it is a CAE free herd that means that they probably have it in their herd. Watch for word play. Even if they pastuerize the milk, mistakes can still happen. We have a CAE free herd, and still do CAE prevention, but have papers to back up our claim. We got taken for a ride by a "responsible breeder" that did word play to us, (and others) and I had to redo my entire herd because of it. Hope this helps!

Wow, you seem pretty serious about that. I am not sure what it is all about yet, but I will definately take your advice and do my homework. Thank you very much for the response. We don't want to use any antibiotics or any vaccinations if possible. Our beef comes from such a herd, and so far we have not had any issues that caused us to use anything on our chickens either. I will learn about CAE and CAE prevention. Thanks for the advice.

Shalom V'berekot,

jd

Laverne · #12 01/23/11, 01:53 AM

Since you mentioned books on not being an idiot about goats. I just got this book http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/161...g=533633855-20 since the author is on another forum and I found it very good, outlining important management necessities to get on the right path with goats.

Uncle JD · #13 01/23/11, 08:30 AM

Shalom Laverne,

Thank you very much. Just ordered it.

Blessings,

jd