Hello everyone,
My first post here.
I have been interested in goats a long time but it is not until now that we've been in a position to have a couple. We would love to keep a couple of doe goats as pets and for milk.
We've recently 2 years ago moved to a plot of about 3/4 of an acre with large outbuildings, a hardstanding yard and a grassed area. There are loads of mature trees and shrubs of safe species for cutting browse for them. I already forage for the rabbits which are fed a natural diet as much as possible. We are also looking into purchasing a couple of acres of woodland neighbouring our property which we would fence and put a shelter in to allow them to browse parts of it at a time when appropriate for the woodland and the goats. We are yet to build their shelter, yard and paddock but will do whatever is necessary here to keep them comfortable and safe and secure.
We've settled on the Golden Guernsey as our preferred breed because of their reputed friendly natures, smaller size, decent milk production and well they are beautiful too!
I've done decent amount of research, read loads on Internet forums, books etc. I'm hoping to meet some goatkeepers now to learn some more. I haven't kept goats before but have kept dogs, rabbits and birds, so have animal husbandry experience though not specific to goats.
We are hoping to be able to acquire some doe goats next summer /autumn, as kids so that I can learn to look after them, get comfortable with them before getting into the kidding/milking aspect.
I know GGs are a rare breed so we are prepared to wait and travel for the right goats. We are in the Scottish Borders.
Is there anyone on the forum who could point me in the right direction of people to speak to in looking for GGs?
Also any guidance from anyone as to where to go from here would be very welcome.