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02/02/12, 08:01 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4
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looking to get pet goat
Hi all, I am looking to get a goat or two this spring and would like some advice on what kind to get or anything I need to know about goats. I am looking for a breed or xbreed that will not eat me out of house and home (smaller size goat) does not mind the cold (I'm in Canada) and is good with kids. Is it better to get two doe's or are goats happy to be alone? I will have to start reading up on goats but any advice would be very helpfull 
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02/02/12, 08:37 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Northwestern New Mexico
Posts: 272
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You need at least two goats, either two does, two wethers (fixed males) or a doe and wether, would work for pets. As for small breeds, there are the mini-dairy goats (full size dairy breeds crossed with the Nigerian), Nigerians, Pygmys, Pygoras and Nigoras. Most goats will handle the cold, as long as they have shelter from wind and moisture (rain/snow/sleet...) and enough hay to eat.
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02/02/12, 08:39 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Redding California
Posts: 1,967
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First: HI! WELCOME!
You will probably want goats that were bottle babies, but make sure you teach them manners so they don't jump all over you or the kids.
Goats are a herd animal, so 2 is best.
With boy goats, you always run a chance of UC... That is a stone blockage in the urinary tract. Some goats are pre-disposed to it, some never have an issue.
As long as you have good shelter, goats do good in either cold, or heat.
Don't forget goats are more useful than just pets.... they can pack and pull carts.
http://workinggoats.com/
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02/02/12, 09:32 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: kansas
Posts: 1,851
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Get a couple of pygmy goats they can almost exist on air.
__________________
Judy
Oat Bucket Farm
Central Kansas
The past is valuable as a guidepost, but not so if used as a hitching post.
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02/02/12, 10:15 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Redding California
Posts: 1,967
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Quote:
Originally Posted by prairiedog
Get a couple of pygmy goats they can almost exist on air.
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so true... so true!
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02/02/12, 11:18 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4
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Thank you all for your replies, and thank you for the welcome mpete! Pygmy goats sound perfect. I think I will go with two bottle baby doe's, maybe even get them young enough to bottle feed them myself. I am very excited
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02/03/12, 07:54 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Redding California
Posts: 1,967
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 You can put little dog packs on pygmies and go out for a picnic lunch!
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02/03/12, 08:51 AM
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Registered Users
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 28
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I agree with those who suggested Pygmys and Nigerians if you want small pets who wont cost alot to feed. I also wanted to reinforce what everyone said... definately get 2... one goat will not be happy alone. They are very strong herd animals and very unhappy without a buddy.
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02/03/12, 10:30 AM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mpete
You can put little dog packs on pygmies and go out for a picnic lunch! |
I can picture it now... I would be the envy of the dog park  
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02/03/12, 05:43 PM
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 126
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I also been thinking of getting two pygmy goats, dont know much about goats, my aunt had some crazy ones when I was little, used to smash into us while we rode out bikes.
I was wondering though, if I breed the pygmy goats, I hear you can get milk from them, I dont want alot of milk I just want a little. As I dont want tons of milk, or to spend tons on feed either. Not to mention I dont have lots of space for goats..
thanks
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02/03/12, 05:48 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: kansas
Posts: 1,851
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If you want milk I would get Nigerian instead of pygmy. Still small so feed bill is less.
__________________
Judy
Oat Bucket Farm
Central Kansas
The past is valuable as a guidepost, but not so if used as a hitching post.
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02/03/12, 07:05 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 24,108
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Howdy and welcome! My goats are pet only. I got a pregnant Pygmy who was bred to a Nigerian Dwarf. She had twins on Jan 16 2008. They are the JOY of my life I didn't know how important it was to get 2 goats. But I wasn't working at the time and spent tons of time with her. www.fiascofarm.com helped me out so much. Lots of basic info, but a little dated so always double check here on dosages and such.
Here are some pics...be sure to get babies!!!!
Gretta
Flossie
Frankie
Now
__________________
Teach only Love...for that is what You are 
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02/03/12, 09:56 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 1,252
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Welcome. You'll love having goats!!
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02/03/12, 10:56 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 4
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Thank you for the welcomes Minelson and Ranger
Thank you for sharing your pics Minelson! They are adorable!! How old are the two little ones in the pictures? lol I really can't get over how cute they are! And I love the pic where they are chilling out on the chairs I also bookmarked the link, looks like there is lots of good info there
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02/04/12, 07:11 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: West Texas-we had rain!!
Posts: 647
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I think Myotonics are great pets, especially for pets. Why? They're very happy goats, unusual and NOT climbers/jumpers. They're cute.When the goats are out in the yard-I have to watch them, the dairy girls are up on every thing: the car hood, the patio table, the woodpile and the AC. The myotonics,however, are happy to stay on the ground.
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