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05/03/11, 10:06 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2
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Wife's birthday gift help
My wife's birthday is in a few weeks and she wants some fainting goats. I could be wrong but I think she had said she wanted bucks because they are easier to care for. I don't want to go start asking her question and draw unwanted suspicion so I figured I'd ask the experts, what should I purchase for her? I'm looking to buy two or three fainters for her should I go with all does or bucks and why? We just purchased our farm a few months ago and this will be our first animal purchase. Any help is greatly appreciated.
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05/03/11, 10:10 PM
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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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You do NOT want bucks. If you want pets, get wethers, which are castrated males.
Bucks stink during the rut (mating) season. They are also not always well behaved, as they urinate on themselves to be stinky to attract females.
You might want to get her a BOOK on goats instead of jumping off into the real thing before you are ready. Are you living full time on the farm? Do you have shelter and REALLY GOOD fences ready for the goats?
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Alice
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"No great thing is created suddenly." ~Epictitus
Last edited by Alice In TX/MO; 05/03/11 at 10:15 PM.
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05/03/11, 10:18 PM
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Katie
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Twining, Mi.
Posts: 19,930
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I agree with Alice, she is right on. Lots to learn about goats but if your getting her some for her birthday I'd start reading up so you'll have everything you need bought & everything that needs to be prepared at home before you get them home.
I would definately go with wethers if they are just for pets.
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05/03/11, 10:47 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO
You do NOT want bucks. If you want pets, get wethers, which are castrated males.
Bucks stink during the rut (mating) season. They are also not always well behaved, as they urinate on themselves to be stinky to attract females.
You might want to get her a BOOK on goats instead of jumping off into the real thing before you are ready. Are you living full time on the farm? Do you have shelter and REALLY GOOD fences ready for the goats?
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Yes we live full time on the farm. We have a 54' x 84' barn for shelter and a 5 acre area fenced and electrified. I will definitely be getting a book for her as well, with that being said I wouldn't bring an animal home without first being prepared. I had an opportunity present itself today and I need some quick advice before putting a deposit down. By the time I can take them home I'll be studied up.
How many days will they survive in a cardboard box with wrapping paper? Joking guys!
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05/03/11, 10:54 PM
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Katie
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Twining, Mi.
Posts: 19,930
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Your wife is going to be so happy! Goats are so much fun & we just love ours, each one has their own little personality.
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05/03/11, 11:19 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: middle GA
Posts: 16,654
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Awww, that's so sweet. I know she'll love her goats. They are fascinating critters. I have thought about getting fainting goats just to watch them faint. LOL But got my little Nigerian Dwarf goats instead and absolutely love them.
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05/04/11, 07:12 AM
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Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: ohio
Posts: 1,068
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wrong question - it's "how long will it take them to chew through the cardboard box and wrapping paper?"
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05/04/11, 07:22 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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Good luck! I hope she loves the goatie gift! 
__________________
Alice
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"No great thing is created suddenly." ~Epictitus
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05/04/11, 09:51 AM
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Monroe Ga
Posts: 4,637
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Perhaps you can make arrangements with the breeder for your wife to come pick the goats out she wants, nothings worse than getting stuck with an animal that you really dont like but dont want your partners feelings to get hurt. I love my husband greatly, and hes been with me in my entire goat journey but theres no way I would want him picking out a goat for me, and hes pretty good at picking stuff out. What Im trying to get at is that most females will like what they chose over what the male chooses just because were that way
It would make for a full day too, go to breeders, pick out goats, get them home and settled, admire for hours at their antics and you get a full day, ah who am I kidding full month.
I will also say I teach goat husbandry locally and have had goats for years and I still dont know it all. Please be sure to research what CL and CAE is as well as Johnes , polio and unrinary calculi are two common things that effect goats as well and if they become sick if you catch it in time is normally something they can recover quickly from.
Famancha chart is a quick study before you go and pick them as well.
this site as well as www.fiascofarms.com are two very helpful sites, good luck.
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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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05/04/11, 10:46 AM
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Enabler!
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: CO
Posts: 3,865
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Aww how sweet, my husband would never buy me an animal  lol
I would not get bucks either, oh she would never want to pet them, ick!!
Put down the deposit or whatever the breeder wants, then take your wife out for "lunch" or something, then have your car run out of gas/break down near the farm and tell her you have to go up to the house to use the phone, get gas, whatever and Surprise! 
Make sure their goats are healthy and friendly. No fun having goats that run from you. Yes they faint and can be easy to catch, but it is not the same as a goat coming up to you for attention or treats.
Does are more expensive then wethers, but it is nice in case somewhere down the line you want babies. So a doe and a wether or 2 does and 1 wether.
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05/04/11, 11:02 AM
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Animal Addict
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Maryland
Posts: 12,211
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Ohh, I like the idea of just shuffling her int eh car on some pretext or another, and ending up at the farm. Sya you need to talk to some guy about something, get her out, lead her over to the goat pen, and then say, "Happy Birthday, you can pick out whichever two you want." (umm, you are getting at least two )?
My DH did that with me for a puppy for my birthday a few years back, was AWESOME.
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Becky
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