I have decided to cut back on the little people in my goat herd, to concentrate on breeding larger dairy goats, as my main interest is milk, and I want to make cheese, ice cream, butter etc. ......if I ever get all the kids weaned and enough milk to do these things!!!!
I only let my goats go to what I think are suitable homes. I do not insist on experienced goat keepers, nor the poshest facilities to keep them in - just someone who will give them the best care possible, and hopefully a long term home, not passed from pillar to post.
Its very hard to judge people over the phone, as to whether they are genuine, or just wanting something cheap to sell on. If they do not like the questions I ask as to the care of the goats, then tough, they will not be having them.
I do try and deliver the goats if they are within reasonable distance, so I can satisty myself that they are going to the right home. I know some people would just take the money and not bother, but I have bottle fed these kids, and feel I owe it to them to get the best homes I can.
I have advertised them locally, and most of the calls are along the lines of " I want a couple of pet goats to put in the garden for the kids to play with". No .....these goats are horned and boisterous, and could seriously injure your child if they get worked up chasing them round the garden. Or, they just want one goat as they only have a little shed. Alarm bells ring then, as I imagine a pygmy goat in a tiny kennel or something, and I certainly would not allow a goat to be on its own, unless they already have a similar aged goat.
But, at the end of the day, potential buyers can always say what they want me to hear, show me what I want to see .......then do something completely different once they have the goat.
I have asked a reasonable price, taking into account the milk and feed etc the goats have had, and hope this will put off what I call iffy people, but I am not sure it is doing.
I do have some nice horse owners who are interested in two of the kids, and I would be quite happy for the goats to go there.
This is the downside of breeding - finding good homes for the kids. But, they have to go, as they are taking up valuable space,and my hubby has said no more to come in, until some go!!!
I will put an advert on here later, listing some I have for sale. Mainly this years kids, and maybe a couple of last years. All pygmy type or pygmy x small dairy goats.
Topic: Genuine buyers (Read 2014 times)
