The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Goats => Topic started by: Charliechix on June 26, 2012, 11:00:27 pm
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Hello
My sister is getting married in September and I have managed to convince my dad she can use its land to keep a couple of goats.
I have read a little but would love some advice on type of goat to get. I was thinking two nanny kids and see how things go?
Really appreciate some help
Thanks
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I'm a complete novice so will bow to more useful advice which will come. I will say I did not envisage how time consuming milking is, so I'd make sure your sister is on board with the purchase. I presume she could just let the goats rear their own kids fully but if in milk and no kids attached she will need to milk daily, and probably 2x daily if high milker.
Alternative is to go for a fibre goat (or a few pigmies if only for 'pet' purposes).
They also need good/high fences, shelter and browsing opportunities and probably hay/feed all year round. Sheep are better grazers and less time intensive outside of lambing/shearing.
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Hello Charliechix
Welcome to TAS :wave:
First thing to consider is that goats are a HUGE commitment. Even if you aren't milking, you will still need to be on hand for twice daily feeding, ensuring they have fresh water (they drink quite a lot!) aware that if they are going to get ill it will be at the most inconvenient time possible (ie. xmas day, 3am, when there is a blizzard...)
There are a great many things that are toxic to goats (certain trees and plants) so you need to make sure the land is free of them.
Personally Id' say the best option at this point is to find a local goat club or keeper who will be more than happy to show you their set up, let your sister have some hands on with them and get a feel for if she still wants goats.
I have 4 goats currently, I'm milking 1 I have a kid suckling off of his mum and then a castrated male. Its hard work! Even going on holiday takes a lot of planning now, making sure they are in tip top condition, that I have a relief milker, enough feed, hay and so on.
LIsa
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Thanks so much for the advice
my sister's partner plans to go part time after they marry so that they can commit to their chickens, bees and hopefully goats!
I think the time factor was why my Dad took some convincing being a retired farmer.
I'd love to contact a local goat keeper in the area but the www.goatsuk (http://www.goatsuk) website doesn't seem to have anyone near to her. She lives in Cambridgeshire.
I'll keep searching
Thanks for the idea about "pet style" goats too, very helpful
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The best advice I can give anyone who is thinking about getting goats is GO FOR IT. Yes they are a commitment but if they have other animals, they have to make arrangements anyway if they go away. I don't find milking that time consuming. If my OH helps with the feeding we can do it all in 20-30 minutes (one goat milked). On my own it's 30-40. They need hooves trimmed once a month (about 30 minutes for three goats). Mucking out takes about an hour once a fortnight. talking to them and watching their antics takes forever. ;D
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Thanks mad goat woman,
I've got my sister two kids from a kind person on this website. With a goat lesson or two and the help of a hardworking husband and a reluctant retired farmer (dad)I think everyone will be very happy together
Just off to discuss raising the field's fence by a few feet........
:)
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Whereabouts are you ? There are a surprising number of goatkeepers who aren't 'public knowledge' but never the less whould be happy to help a 'newbie'......... so let us know where you are.