The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: holz306 on January 11, 2012, 10:09:29 pm

Title: Complete beginner
Post by: holz306 on January 11, 2012, 10:09:29 pm

Hi guys, I've never kept goats before but have had sheep - i'm planning on getting a few goats this year but i wondered what advice you can give me on breeds, source and management?

Title: Re: Complete beginner
Post by: Anke on January 11, 2012, 10:15:41 pm

Read all the goat books and visit nearby goatkeepers. BGS website (allgoats.org.uk) quite good.

Title: Re: Complete beginner
Post by: holz306 on January 11, 2012, 10:18:57 pm

I've read a couple ofbooks, andhave been reading articles in smallholder mag, but thereare no other goat keepers around here ;(

Title: Re: Complete beginner
Post by: ballingall on January 11, 2012, 10:31:44 pm

Between all of us on here and the people we know we are bound to be able to find someone near-ish you. Whereabouts are you?

Beth

Title: Re: Complete beginner
Post by: Hopewell on January 11, 2012, 10:37:49 pm

I agree the BGS website is quite good for advice and you can read a bit about the different breeds and think about which one might suit you. When sourcing goats I would always ask if the herd has been tested for CAE (caprine arthritis encephalitis) - As well as being good practice to test for this disease, I think it is a fairly good indicator of the care someone has for their goats, ie if they are bothered to test for CAE they are far more likely to take good care of the goats in other ways.

Title: Re: Complete beginner
Post by: holz306 on January 11, 2012, 10:42:20 pm

I'm in the sunny (not!) Highlands of Scotland, On the mainland just before you get to the Isle of Skye.