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11/29/11, 01:43 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Troy, Vermont
Posts: 1,695
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OK, don't want to have to make decisions right now,but...
My daddy died last night, posted in CF. I don't want to have to think right now or make decisions right now, but I have to, so here it is. I either have to get out of goats completely or I have to do something like start raising meat goats to pay for the Nigerians. I am not on the internet, as I don't own a computer so no web site. I have very nice goats this year and could get decent money for them, but no way to really do it and I am not computer savvy. There is a large muslim population in Burlington(I live in Troy which is almost 1 1/2 hrs away) and it was suggested to me by a muslim gentleman that I get into meat goats and would probably get a dozen sales a week or close to that. I love my Nigies and wish I could just do them but I don't show and no one knows my stock quality. I would like to show, but would need help and don't have it. I have begun to let my nice bucks get slaughtered for meat and it really bugs me. A $3-400 buck just went for $75.00 for meat. I have managed to keep myself out of foreclosure but I have to do something. And honestly I don't want to even think about it. I just want to crawl under the covers and hide.
I really need some help and ideas. Would sharing the ownership of the herd and letting someone else show them be feasible? I don't mind raising meat goats actually but I don't know what it entails. And I would need to find clean healthy animals as mine are all tested and free of disease. Any ideas at all would be greatly appreciated. Here is my number, don't know if it will be in service but try anyway. 802 744 6056. Thanks and God bless.
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11/29/11, 02:36 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Oologah Oklahoma
Posts: 3,579
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I don't really have advice but wanted to say I am so sorry about the loss of your father.
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11/29/11, 02:47 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Southeast MO
Posts: 1,075
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I'm very sorry you lost your dad. I think I'd wait a little bit to make any decisions, just grieve and heal for a little bit. Big hugs to you.
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April
Southeast Missouri
Nubians, Boers, Jersey cows and a whole lotta ticks
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11/29/11, 02:50 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Redding California
Posts: 1,967
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so sorry you have been thrust into this choice.
If it were me, I would focus on meat, and just keep a few of my favorite nigies for milk. Showing is very expensive and time consuming. I would use word of mouth and focus mainly to the muslims and other ethnic groups. Make sure to keep record books so you know what you are spending/getting in a year... From what I understand, most people like the "unblemished" meat...
**hugs**
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11/29/11, 03:33 PM
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Fist City
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 624
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Do you list your stock on Craiglist? I know it is not idea, but it is better than nothing. If you need a site, do you know of anyone who would be willing to barter for whatever you're producing?
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11/29/11, 04:34 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Washington
Posts: 2,822
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I'm not partial to Nigerians. They're just not practical for us. However, maybe an option would be a full size dairy goat, or cross, or something which might produce enough milk you could sell to help with upkeep?
We sold/bartered a good bit of milk last summer - which helped a lot. All proceeds went to the feed store for grain. Lot of factors to this option, particularly the market for goat milk in your area - but perhaps it's an alternative to meat goats, and the extra bucklings could be used for meat as many do. I'm sure you've already considered this route, but if I'm imagining the switch from Nigerians to a dairy breed, as opposed to a meat breed, might not be as drastic an exchange... Just 2 cents worth.
Deepest condolences for your loss. Tough time of year for it. It will get better. Hugs!
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11/29/11, 06:05 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: western NY
Posts: 1,507
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I am so very sorry to hear about your dad. I recall posts where you were having quite a time caring for him and your own precarious health. Maybe there is a combo of things you could do - as was suggested, keep a very small ND herd and raise some meat goats and see how it goes. And maybe you could co-own a really nice herdsire. I've done that and it's worked out well. Will keep you in my prayers.
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11/29/11, 06:06 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 24,108
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I'm so sorry Crazygoatgal  I am praying for you. ((((big huggs!!))))
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Teach only Love...for that is what You are 
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11/29/11, 06:14 PM
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Cathy
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Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tallahassee, Florida
Posts: 1,120
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I would talk to the gentleman some more. How old do they want their goats? Do they want to process them at your place? Does anyone else in your area have meat goats?
I sold mine for $1 a pound - 10 wethers(nubians) weighed 976 lbs at 5 months old. If I had someone telling me 12 sales a week I would be into meat goats!
Showing is not quickly profitable, if ever. Other than that I am sorry about your Dad - It is so hard to say goodbye. . .
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Cathy Westbrook, Tallabred Soaps, Inc.
Purebred Nubians
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11/29/11, 07:12 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Northern Cali
Posts: 477
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Wow, I missed it on CF. So sorry for your loss.
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11/29/11, 08:19 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,807
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Oh, dear.... Sweetie, I am so very very sorry. You are such a good daughter, and it must be so hard for you... {hugs}
Do you really have to make this big decisions right now? Do you have enough to feed the goats for the next little bit?
Not trying to help you put off the inevitable, just trying to think if there's a way to buy you any time if that's possible.
{major Pony! hugs}
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Je ne suis pas Alice
http://homesteadingfamilies.proboards.com/
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11/29/11, 08:48 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,664
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I'm sorry, honey.
I hope you find your answers.
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11/29/11, 08:54 PM
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An Ozark Engineer
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Powhatan, AR
Posts: 9,413
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I'm so sorry about your loss. I don't have any good suggestions for you at this time, but lots of prayers.
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11/29/11, 09:33 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 6,143
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I don't have any advice, just *hugs*. I'm so sorry for your loss.
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11/29/11, 09:41 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,252
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Oh I'm so sorry. Try not to make any decisions right now. Just try to make it through for a little bit while you have a chance to think. Maybe we can come up with some better ideas for you as well with a little time to think on it. Are there any other goat people near you? Maybe they might be willing to work some kind of a trade out with you for goats, or help around their farms. Think of what you have to offer others that might not know as much about goats as you do. You may have marketable skills.
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11/29/11, 10:58 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: May 2007
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 4,724
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I'm so sorry for the loss of your father. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. <3
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11/29/11, 11:52 PM
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,244
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I'm sorry to hear the crushing news. It's so hard to lose a loved one. Hugs to you......
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11/30/11, 11:11 AM
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Katie
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Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Twining, Mi.
Posts: 19,930
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I am so very sorry Lynn, sending my deepest sympathies & also lots of hugs & prayers!
I hope you can sell most of your nigies as I know your having a time finding buyers for them & then the feed costs as well. If the muslim man says at least 12 sales a week that's the way I'd be going to. It would sure be alot less work for you & you'd have extra money coming in that way. Plus the feed costs I believe are alot less for meat goats than for dairy.
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11/30/11, 10:05 PM
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Student of goatology.
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Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Ohio
Posts: 3,131
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Our condolences to you and your family Lynn, so sorry for your loss.
I don't have any other advice other than standard size goats raised for meat (I'm thinking Boers) require quite a bit more space, feed, and they are physically much more challenging to manage and handle.
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Cloven Trail Farm
Lord help me be the person my dog thinks I am!
Ja-Lyn's Radio Flyer, aka "Rad" on his 17th birthday.
9/14/93 -12/3/10.
Rest peacefully my soulmate, I'll love you forever.
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11/30/11, 10:41 PM
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Enabler!
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: CO
Posts: 3,865
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I am sorry about your dad.
Do you have to make a decision right now? Since you can sell for meat, something I still struggle with, I would do it if you can make money, keep the bucks away from your Nigie does and get healthy stock.
Problem is you have to buy the goats first and the herd set up might set you back, not to mention the added feed costs. This time of year and the economy being poor you might get a good deal on goats.
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