I don't have my goats yet or my homestead. But we should be closing and moving in during May. I'm very excited about designing the layout, choosing fence and pens and homes, and bringing my first goats home. Went to visit Crazy8Ranch in Effingham a few days ago.
Still trying to decide on how to start. Get 1 buck and 1 doe, or buck, whether and doe, or 2 does, or momma and kids...etc. Intending to milk to drink, make cheese, and soap. Thoughts on pasteurization??
Thanks everyone.
Michael
Replies
Deb, I can see where you might be onto something with the Testicle size!! Just in my two bucklings, my smaller buck, (with smaller testicles, even though he's a week older than the other) is much sweeter than my other buck. No matter what I try with the other one, he's much less personable than the smaller one.
I thought I wanted cows too, Margaret. Here's last week's blog post about the bull:
http://antiquityoaks.blogspot.com/2012/04/its-been-crazy-day-and-it...
And I need to get one up about how the current ram completely destroyed a shelter! It looked like a car hit it. And no one can go in there alone. It just isn't safe. They were just sheared, so I'm waiting about six week for him to grow a little fiber (so I'll have a decent pelt), and then he's being turned into dog food.
OK, I am not laughing and I do find that interesting. In fact that makes me think that it would be nice to have some kind of scientific statistics in the form of numbers showing levels of various hormones of different breeds/species. You have to wander if it is actually the species/ breed that really makes the difference in behavior or if it is just the hormone levels produced. I have only had my Quill (15months old) for two months now, and although he sometimes gives some of the goats a rough time he is very very gentle with me. It is kind of weird. We seem to have a special kind thing going on here. I think he is making up for lost time. He came acting like a wild mustang. No joke! I left him pretty much to himself for a day and a half and then I put him on a heavy chain and collar to try to walk him around and pet him to make friends. NO WAY! He drug me around and snatched on me, wrapped that chain all around my legs. I thought he was going to kill me without any bucking at me. Just pulling on me. I was wore slap out within 20 or 30 mins. Couldn't believe how STRONG he was. After that I just got in the pen with him to work with him. Now he comes right to me snuggles right up to me lets me rub and kiss his pretty face. A real loverboy. Cues at my girls when he flirts around them. Do they usually do that? Make little cueing noises. He sounds so sweet when he flirts with them. It makes me giggle when I hear him. I thought I wanted sheep and even some cows one day but I don't know when I read things like this Deb it sounds kinda scary.
I keep thinking that all of my goats for this year are sold, but I do have two does kidding within about a week, so there might be more does. I'm in Illinois. And I do have bucks.
It sure sounds like ND bucks are more mellow than other breeds from what I've heard about standard goats. Honestly -- okay, don't laugh too hard because I am serious -- my little theory is that personality is directly related to size of testicles. My Shetland rams are the same height as my ND bucks, but their testicles are 2-3 times as big, and they are terrible! NEVER turn your back on one. We always wind up butchering our rams at some point because they get so mean, I'd feel guilty selling them to someone. And I have heard of them killing each other in a fight. But ND bucks are real sweeties. It seems the older they get, the sweeter they get. And don't even get me started on bulls! We just took our bull to the locker on Monday, and he will not be replaced. AI here we come!
I have three does that will be housed in the new barn, and it will easily house 5-6 does and their kids. (that's my goal for my final herd size. The main area is 10X14... 140 square feet.
The ones in the magazine I got the idea from are MUCH cooler, but I think it will do the trick. This model has windows and ends too, so it will be easy to open up in the summer for ventilation!
I checked that out a couple of days ago. I think it is super cool, convenient and quick!
Rachel Whetzel said:
GREAT, thanks! How many NDG do you have? Will that handle more?
I just blogged about my newest set up. http://www.minetothine.com/2012/04/barn-raising.html
Thanks for taking the time to reply, all great advice. Would anyone be willing to upload a pic showing how you laid out the housing and pens and milking area?
Yes, I know it's not an issue with Nigerians, because my breeder keeps three bucks together in the same pen with no issues. I'm just curious if this is an additional "plus" for our adorable shorties!! :)
Donna Savey said:
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next