Goat beginner links

[jackie c]

I am pondering the idea of getting a goat for milk for personal use. I know nothing about them at all. I need some good links on how to care for and milking. I want to be well informed before making a decision on whethter or not I am able or want to keep one (or two if need be). Thaks all

[marknfl]

Here are a couple of links. This first site looks really good. Goat World they also have a spot for goat emergencies with names and phones numbers of people to contact that have raised goats for a long time. http://www.goatworld.com/911.

[mpillow]

my favorite site (besides here) is www.fiascofarm.com

[jackie c]

Thanks for the links. I just wanted to get started reading up on them before I start bombarding this board with questions

[Tracy in Idaho]

http://www.saanendoah.com

[poultryprincess]

I also am contemplating getting goats. I am looking into the Nigerian dwarf or the African pigmy since I only have 2 acres of land. The one thing I kept hearing was that goats are a herd animal.....you need at least 2 so they don't get lonely. I was not sure if I believed all that stuff, until recently. A friend bought 2 young buffalo, and one died. The last one would not eat, rarely drank & was wilting away. When he bought some calves to keep it company, everything changed. It is now thriving & eating. It's like a new animal. * I know now that if I have plans for goats, it will have to be for at Least for two goats.........oh darn, I can't help it hubby, it's not my fault that I need 2!!! :haha:

[Sondra Peterson]

A good site for pygmy's is www.kinne.net
I use it and the www.fiascofarm.com and www.saanendoah.com the most of any one site. and of course this site. I keep records of anything that Sue Reith has written and Vicki (here on this site) for future reference. If you are wanting milk goats then you should probably read up on the American Dairy Goat Association website which has alot of good links.
Yes a person needs at least 2 goats preferrably a doe and a wether or 2 does for starters. Now let me warn you goats are like potato chips.
I have 2 acres and 27 goats which started off with 2 does then I saw another little doe and then and then and then. WELL :haha:

[elly_may]

Here are a couple valuable sites as well:

Suzanne Gasparotto has many articles, and all are worth reading.
http://www.tennesseemeatgoats.com/ar...ingrumens.html

Here's a site that talks about understanding rumen function which is important to know when one decides to purchase or resuce a ruminant. Very technical but essential reading:
http://www.das.psu.edu/dcn/catnut/PDF/rumen422.pdf

Another with lots of useful links (scroll at left) for herd management.
http://www.triquestboergoats.com/

All the others everyone mentioned are excellent too and worth spending time at.