Hello, I am new here. I currently have 0 goats, but I have one wether reserved. He is one week old yestarday. We will pick him up in Novemeber. We getting at least 2 others before be pick up our young wether. We have been researching and doing our homework on ND goats for months now, and are ready to start our herd. My husband is beginning his planning and building of our mini- goat compound as I type. We are super excited, but nervous. There is alot that goes into having 'kids'! A have a few questions and would greatly appreciate any help that you can offer. Is there a preferred makeup for a starter herd? We were thinking of starting with 3-4 wethers, but is a wether only herd ok- or should we add some doelings? We are not looking to have a buck and get into the kidding process, right now- maybe in the future. For now we just want to enjoy some sweet little pets, without getting in over our heads. My husband is planning a 6' by 4' 3 sided encloded shelter, surrounded by a small night pen, which will open to a 60' by 40' fenced pasture. We live in eastern NC, where the summers are hot, but the winters are not. He is also planning out a covered pasture feeding station, as well as one in the night shelter. Does this sound adequate? If anyone has any helpful suggestions for a ND beginner, I would appreciate and love to hear them. Thanks in advance for your suggestions. I am glad that I found this forum. Crystal

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  • They'll probably butt head a little when you first bring in the new one, but they'll figure out the pecking order quickly. Wethers tend to be nice to each other, especially if you do not have does. I keep wethers with my does to let me know know when the does are in heat. If you have does, wethers can act a little bucky when the doe is in heat, but it's usually nothing compared to the way bucks act. I once had a wether who was completely in love with a doe that was in heat, and when I brought in the real buck, the wether decided he was going to fight for her.
    Deborah

    Crystal Swindell said:
    Yes we are definitely getting the young wether, but we want to have AT least 2 other wethers here when we get him in November. We are visiting some farms at the end of this month, and plan not come home empty handed. Do you think that the youngest wether- who will be about 2-3 months younger than the other 2 will integrate well? The other 2 are coming from the same place. Thanks Crystal
  • Yes we are definitely getting the young wether, but we want to have AT least 2 other wethers here when we get him in November. We are visiting some farms at the end of this month, and plan not come home empty handed. Do you think that the youngest wether- who will be about 2-3 months younger than the other 2 will integrate well? The other 2 are coming from the same place. Thanks Crystal
  • Welcome Crystal!!! I have a couple in IL. who have 3 of our Wethers and they just love them. We visited there this year and the goats have thir own playground. We set on their porch and watched them play it was so much fun. The one thing I can tell you is if you don't have any goats you should get two. Goats are very social and will get lonely if they are alone. I never sell just one if it is a first purchase and there are no other goats for company. Healthwise it is much better to have two. Vicki
  • If the 60X40 pasture is the only pasture, it's good for three to four goats at most. If you only want pets, you should go with wethers. There's no reason to have doelings unless you want to breed.
    Have fun,
    Deborah
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