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Post by ottawagardener on Dec 1, 2009 7:48:13 GMT -5
It's been many, many years since I had a hand at taking care of goats. I was a child on my parent's farm in fact. Anyhow, one of my daughters has her heart set on getting a couple dwarf nigerian dairy goats and though my familiarity with them makes me think no problem, I haven't actually been formally taught anything.
It'll be at least a year before this happens so in the meantime, anyone have any suggestions for reading material? Good goaty books?
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Post by dirtsunrain on Dec 1, 2009 8:52:05 GMT -5
The Canadian Dairy Goat Association is located in Ottawa. Also, an industry leading farm is located nearby. Check out Capricorn View Farm. Their website has lots of information and might lead you to some pygmies.
I keep Alpine goats since I enjoy making goats milk soap. My doe, Pickles, is heading off to the bucks house this weekend. Owning goats will teach you about fencing....
Canadian Dairy Goat Association
2417 Holly Lane
Ottawa, Ontario
K1V 0M7
613-731-9894
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Post by ottawagardener on Dec 1, 2009 12:35:20 GMT -5
Well whattaya know. Thanks for the headsup. I will check those out. Thanks!
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Post by Alan on Dec 1, 2009 20:43:58 GMT -5
Hopefully when CFF jumps back on the forum he can give you some advice, I know he had been going on a business trip but hopefully he won't have forgotten about us, he is kind of the go to guy about goats and brought me a wonderful little binder of information when he came to visit that I will see if I can find and see if there is any info in there you can use.
We thought about getting into dairy goats or even dairy cattle, but thus far I've been able to talk myself out of it, I figure I'll keep my two dwarf weathers as pets and manure makers and expand on poultry and rabbits instead.
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Post by flowerpower on Dec 2, 2009 6:06:36 GMT -5
If you don't plan on breeding them, get a pair of wethers like Alan. Males are cheaper to buy and most breeders just want to get rid of them. I think a dwarf or pygmy would be a good choice for the kids. They are manageable and the fence can be low. Way cheaper to feed too. lol I also have Alpines & Saanens and they can jump a 5 ft fence with no problem.
I have a pair of twin pygmy crosses which I got for free in '98. They are now 14 and still have loads of energy. I really knew nothing about goats when I got them. But they are very easy to keep. And loads of fun to watch. I see people stopping their cars to watch the goats butting heads all the time.
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mayfinnfarm
gopher
mayfinnfarm *~Bloomin where we're planted!~*
Posts: 20
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Post by mayfinnfarm on Dec 7, 2009 16:56:54 GMT -5
No recommendations for reading materials but I highly recommend the dwarf Nigerians. I have 3, and they are great! The big wether is like an oversize puppy, just wants to follow people around and be nosy. And they all have sooo much personality!
I have not milked the doe yet, she was bred when we got her, and not too terribly friendly yet. We did not have her bred this fall, but will next fall, and I will be milking her then.
I have been around several other kinds of goats since we got ours, and haven't found another breed I like as much.
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Post by ottawagardener on Dec 7, 2009 23:32:49 GMT -5
Oh good, they do seem quite sweet. Well, it looks like my youngest has good taste in goats.
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Post by flowerpower on Dec 9, 2009 5:10:56 GMT -5
The kids are going to love having goats. They are fun to have around. And they are not picky about what weeds they eat. Thistle is a big favorite here  |
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Post by nuts on Dec 9, 2009 14:34:10 GMT -5
I checked the dictionary.
wether is a male sheep.
A male goat is called billy goat.
Billy goat smells, at least a part of the year.
If I say smell I mean smell.That's to say if you only look at them you smell too.
This is not really a problem as long as you don't go in public places ;D ;D ;D
Just a few things you have to know....
cheers,
nuts
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mayfinnfarm
gopher
mayfinnfarm *~Bloomin where we're planted!~*
Posts: 20
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Post by mayfinnfarm on Dec 9, 2009 20:04:35 GMT -5
Castrated male goats are also called wethers, I have 2 of them. They do not smell any worse than the does. Bucks (male goats that still have testicles) do STINK, mostly because they urinate on their own beards to attract the does. That is the reason I don't have any bucks, I will borrow or rent one when I want to have my doe bred.
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Post by ozarklady on Dec 22, 2009 19:00:48 GMT -5
I have raised dairy goats for 23 years, and currently have 2 LaMancha does, and a visiting boer buck. Yes, we call the castrated males withers... as us Hillbillies pronounce it.
I also raised pygmy goats, they are nice, and like most animals, you need to work with them to keep them friendly, as for milking them, the few times that we had to... were nightmares, and hands cramped really badly. The little pygmy bucks are not especially good pets, they tend to be too rambunctious and smelly. Does are wonderful pets, as are withers. But, honest, a full sized goat is just as good as a pet. And very comparable... even in feed requirements. I have not found goats difficult to keep in a fence, if their needs are met, this does include social needs... they want their owners to come love on them. And if you are going to be milking or showing your goat, you need to have that bond.
I have raised Nubians, La Manchas, Oberhassley (sp?), Alpines, and pygmies. I now have 3 boer goats in with the milkers... these are meat goats and really quite stocky.
Goat meat is tasty and if they are given a choice of clean food, clean water and love, they really won't eat your tin cans.. It is not unusual for a good doe to give a gallon of milk per day, and sometimes, that is even while nursing her kids... So be prepared to make yogurt, cheese, soap, all kinds of soap recipes. And goat milk curds, do great for poultry, pigs, even raising dogs... I love my goats.... I have 5!
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Post by ozarklady on Dec 22, 2009 19:23:22 GMT -5
Oops no edit key, I have 5 goats here for the winter, I only own two of the 5. The buck came to visit, to freshen the does, and brought his does with him, since they were escaping from my son's pen. They have not attempted to escape the 3 acre pasture that I put them into. I do not own the boer goats, but they are pleasant goats also.
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Post by bunkie on Dec 23, 2009 15:54:09 GMT -5
speaking of goats...sorry, couldn't help myself, holiday cheer and all! ;D 2009 Beekman Holiday Video Card from the Goatswww.youtube.com/watch? v=g2Iibn462Ac&utm_source=BEEKMAN+1802&utm_campaign=636554dea1- 2009_Holiday_Video_Card12_22_2009&utm_medium=email |
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