Any feedback for my plan?

2happymamas · #1 12/29/12, 06:54 PM

After feedback on my previous plan, I have revised and think I have a (relatively) solid plan in place.

I have gone back to my original plan and have decided to get 3 mini-nubians (2 first fresheners and a wether). I have resumed talk with a small homesteader about 45-60 minutes from my home and I think I am going to get goats from her. She has a small herd of 15-20 goats and breeds for dairy. She has agreed to be a mentor and will allow me to bring my doe back to her place for $60 in order to breed them. She said she will keep the doe for 6-8 weeks for this price.

After talking with her, we came up with a plan to get two does and stagger their kiddings. The wether will be a companion for the doe who is not being bred, as we don't want to leave a single goat alone for the 6-8 weeks she will board the doe.

We have a 30x80 foot area that is fenced in 5-foot chain link. This will primarily be used for exercise and we know we will have to supplement food. They will have a lean-to for shelter in the fenced in area and will be kept in the barn at night. Our entire property is 1.5 acres and we don't have the ability to fence in any additional space at this time.

My goal is to produce enough milk for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids. I would also like to be able to make cheeses and soap for our family.

She is going to charge $250 for each doe and throw in the wether free. Here is a link to her farm and information about their homestead. If anyone has a few minutes, would you mind reading some of her info and seeing if her testing seems up to par? We are meeting with her tomorrow and plan to place a deposit for Ginger and Skittles (you can see their pictures on the page I referenced).

We initially planned to buy only 2 goats, but the plan of two does and a companion wether seems to make sense.

Thoughts? Solid plan? Anything glaring that I may be missing?

CaliannG · #2 12/29/12, 06:59 PM

Lovely goats! You plan sounds solid. The only thing I can think of that I would ask:

Does she test for disease? CAE, CL, Johne's? If not, if YOU test for disease and any of them come back positive after two tests from 2 different abs, will she give you a full refund?

CaliannG · #3 12/29/12, 07:01 PM

~grinz~ And Mini-Nubians should give you plenty of milk. One of mine, at 4 months fresh, is producing over a gallon a day as a 3rd freshener. The other one is producing a 3/4 of a gallon per day.

Alice In TX/MO · #4 12/29/12, 07:04 PM

Sounds wonderful!

Will you run a hot wire on the inside of the chain link fence to prevent them "walking it down?"

andabigmac · #5 12/29/12, 07:11 PM

It looks like she tests for CAE but I didn't see any mention of the other diseases. I would pay for the gamut and buy them if they're negative. They appear to be healthy, super cute goats.

2happymamas · #6 12/29/12, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alice In TX/MO

Sounds wonderful!

Will you run a hot wire on the inside of the chain link fence to prevent them "walking it down?"

I have not considered this and, to be honest, I do not know anything about hot wires. These will be our first animals (beyond dogs, cats, and chickens). Our dog, a 30lb. German short-haired pointer, mix will also use the yard. However, this is only for short bursts of exercise, as she is a house dog and does not like to be left in there alone for more than 15-20 minutes at a time. I was also considering letting our chickens in there with the goats. We do not let the chickens in the yard much now because of hawks but I have heard that goats are a great hawk-deterrant.

Will the hot wire have any effect on the chickens or dog? Again, I just do not know much (read: anything) about hot wire.

2happymamas · #7 12/29/12, 07:18 PM

Another question:

Do you think we are over-doing in on the 2 does who will both be in milk at various points? Our family normally goes through about 2 gallons per week. But, I would also be making soap, all kinds of cheese, cream for coffee, yogurt, and cottage cheese.

noeskimo · #8 12/29/12, 07:46 PM

I love it when a good plan comes together..

CaliannG · #9 12/29/12, 08:08 PM

Hmmm, if goats are a hawk deterrent, they have not been doing their job around HERE! My LGD is a hawk deterrent, but if he comes inside, hawks are still around.

You can get a little yard-sized electric fence charger for about $35. Then string a single line of electric wire around the inside of your pen. This keeps the goats from climbing on your chain link fence and dragging it down.

Chickens have no problem with goats, even though goats are NOT hawk deterrents.

Hunting dogs, however, can be a problem with goats, and Pointers do fall into that category. If you have not done so already, please test your dog and see how well it does with the chickens if left with them. Odds are, if the dog goes after a chicken, it will go after a goat. Please be aware that family dogs are the leading cause of goat death .... the goats can NOT protect themselves against a predator, even if that predator happens to be Fido.

Crazy Farmgirl · #10 12/29/12, 08:15 PM

Sounds like a good plan. Having the does kid at different times should ensure fresh milk for the family year round....as long as all goes as planned, goats don't always have the same plan as we do

As for a hot wire and dogs and chickens...if it is hot they will learn quickly to respect it! My bigger concern would be to not leave the dog alone with the goats as many think they are fantastic to chase or worse attack! I have a lab/german shorthair pointer and he is deadly scared of the goats (he was born here and my herd queen let him know at a young age that goats are large fierce horned monsters!!

) even at that I don't leave him alone with the goats!

Checked out the website your linked...beautiful girls!! As was stated I would ask about testing for Cl and Johnes (at the least) and have it done BEFORE you take possession.

Good Luck and welcome to the crazy world of goats!!

harvestmoonfarm · #11 12/29/12, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2happymamas

I have not considered this and, to be honest, I do not know anything about hot wires. These will be our first animals (beyond dogs, cats, and chickens). Our dog, a 30lb. German short-haired pointer, mix will also use the yard. However, this is only for short bursts of exercise, as she is a house dog and does not like to be left in there alone for more than 15-20 minutes at a time. I was also considering letting our chickens in there with the goats. We do not let the chickens in the yard much now because of hawks but I have heard that goats are a great hawk-deterrant.

Will the hot wire have any effect on the chickens or dog? Again, I just do not know much (read: anything) about hot wire.

Please, please, please watch the dog around the goats. A dog is a dog and still has wild instincts. You'd be amazed at the amount of damage they can do to a goat in a very short time.

CaliannG · #12 12/29/12, 08:40 PM

2happymamas, harvestmoonfarm recently suffered tragedy when sweet, friendly, neighborhood dogs "who would NEVER do anything like that!" maimed and killed several of her beloved goats.

It is an issue to be aware of.

2happymamas · #13 12/29/12, 09:00 PM

I appreciate the feedback regarding my dog and the goats. It will definitely be something that I will keep in mind.

I am not sure that I will put a hot wire on the fence. We have a 21 month old and a 4 y/o. The fence the goats will be in border the driveway and I know it would be an accident waiting to happen with the girls and a hot fence.

Any other suggestions for the fence other than a hot wire? My girls are just too young to understand and it's not a risk I am willing to take if the chance is present for them to be zapped.

Backfourty,MI. · #14 12/29/12, 10:51 PM

You could put T posts up so far apart all along the chain link & that will help hold it & keep it stronger if the electric isn't a good idea & with 2 little one's it sounds like it isn't.

I bought our new little herdsire from Angie too. I picked him up this past September & we Love him, he's a very sweet boy. He's a F5 generation. I paid extra because I wanted him weaned & ready to go when I picked him up.
I saw her disease testing & she doesn't test for Johnnes & at the time didn't think it was a big deal until Minelson just went through Johnnes with 1 of her dear pet goats. He will be tested this spring for Johnnes along with CAE.

Your plan sounds like it's a good one & all coming together for you.