Hello!
We've finally closed on our property and will be moving in a couple weeks. Our goals for having goats is to help keep the weeds down and be buddies for our daughters. At this point, we don't plan to milk, but might consider that for the future...after we've been on the place for a while.
We have 12.5 acres, about 3/4 of it is in pasture with cattle. The remaining land is going to get out of control with native grasses pretty fast unless we get some help from goats & chickens! ;o)
We're completely new to goats and wonder if it would be best to just get a couple of whethers, for simplicity's (and cost) sake. Then, if we decide to get into milking, add a registered breeding pair to the herd down the road, after we've learned a bit more.
Thanks so much for your feedback!
Michelle in Idaho
Replies
Thank you both for your insight! There are so many factors to think about! :)
We took a walk through of the place this weekend with the seller and couldn't believe how much the grass was already overgrown since my last visit two weeks ago. We may have a jungle on our hands and need to be ready to buy as soon as we get a fence installed!
If brushing/companion were my only goals, I would def. purchase a pair of wethers. They are just as loving and sweet as any doe, don't stink like a buck, and as Deborah said, they don't cycle! Plus, as you mentioned, the cost is better. My only advise to you, is not to purchase from "just anyone". For a lot of reasons, but especially since you are open to the idea that might add to your herd later. You'll want to make smart, disease free purchases now, otherwise, you could end up creating problems for your farm later.
If you are not interested in breeding at this time, starting with a couple of wethers is ideal. They're easy keepers, as they only need pasture and browse with grass hay in winter. They don't stink like bucks, and they don't get hormonal every 21 days like does that are not bred.