Hello everyone. My wife and I are beginning our education with the intention of starting our first herd. We have five acres fenced and have plenty of room for some goats. We are interested in everything our future goats can bring to our homestead.
For now I would request knowledge on where to buy, how much to spend, how much we would spend to feed per goat.
We are just getting started on the education and don't know much yet.
Thanks in advance.
Dave and Rochelle.
Replies
To find members in Montana, go to the Members page (link at the top of this page). When you get there, in the search box, type ", MT" - type the comma and then space to help "weed out" combos of m and t. That will give you a listing of those who used the two-letter state abbreviation. You might get "extras" because there will be other data that will have that combination but it will be primarily only Montana members. You can also try the same thing for your border states. That will give you a start until folks see your question.
Thanks everyone. Does anyone know of a herd in Montana that we can buy from?
Welcome to the world of goats!
I second what everyone else said about buying good quality goats. It is a one-time expense and having good quality registered animals when it's time to sell matters. So far, I have gotten my asking price for kids though none of my buyers planned to breed. However, if they decide later to do so, they will have excellent kids if they choose a good buck. Basically, you can spend $125 for a doe, nice animal and not registered, and get $50-100 for her kids or spend $250-300 for a good quality registered doe and get $200 for her kids (or more if the buck has outstanding milking lines). Regardless of how much she costs, she will eat the same so the maintenance doesn't change, just that one-time output.
When I bought my girls, I was totally ignorant but lucked into some great lines. When I met the breeder, I liked her and how much she loved her goats and could see they were really well cared for. As I learned about bloodlines, it just became better. A bit of irony there since I wanted registered mainly so I knew I wouldn't be breeding a doe to her dad, brother or son. In short, I had excellent beginner's luck and hope as good for you!
Something I did not notice mentioned is that to be sure to buy from a tested herd. You can request the animals you are going to buy be tested if you want to pay for the testing yourself. I have not tested mine since right after I bought my two original girls and they are bred to bucks in closed herds with owners that insist on does be tested. If you are in a TB-free state, I suggest you NOT order that test because it goes on a Federal registry which I find invasive - I am sorry I did it but I had the vet test for everything. I even had to fill out a form saying what I was going to do with them (milk) and state that I was going to use the milk for human consumption. After all that, and me being nervous about certain elements wanting to ban raw milk completely, I wish I learned my state (and neighboring states) are TB-free so the test was not necessary. I am a bit paranoid about my girls being listed since I bought them not too long after our state severely tightened its laws after one dairy had a problem (with cow sharing, not even goats!).
The Nigerians eat so much less than the standard size goats. That being said, you can afford to feed orchard grass and alfalfa (when they are in milk) since they eat so much less. Here in Eugene, OR there is a supplier that sells 120 lb. bales of orchard grass for $17.50 - it last a long time! I have field hay (which is cheap) and they lay in some and eat some - they do like the grass hay as a supplement. I figure just like me - they dont want to eat cake all the time. If you just want a couple of goats and dont want a gallon of milk at each milking - these guys are awesome. My goat is not a great producer but I usually get at least 1 1/2 qt. each day and that does add up quick.
A standard size goat - I could not afford to feed well - these little guys - can have orchard grass/alfalfa plus good grains. no problem.
Another word to the wise! When you go see the goat - make sure the eyes are clear - NO snotty noises and no coughs! Clean conditions also - I clean up the goat poop every day, there is no excuse for goats living in their own poop!
Welcome to the world of little goats. They are so much pleasure. I think it is very hard to say a price for raising them. At this time in our life we can afford more - I also justify that by saying I don't spend on clothes or outings , mostly my little ones. When I had goats years ago when my children were young - money was very tight and I had to be careful. Good quality hay and minerals and grain. Now these are spoiled. Love all their treats and that in itself mounts up. Mine love raisons, tangerines, and lots of apples. I even dry apples so they have them during the winter for treats. If you have good pasture and browse for them it really cuts the price down also.
We started our nigerian herd with two three month old girls. Their first breeding I borrowed a young buck from the breeder and ordered a baby to raise for our own. I personally like to have youngsters to raise as I have had problems in the past with older girls adjusting to new homes. I had nubians years ago and I think they have a harder time adjusting to new homes. Agree with Rachel also - buy a good one. See how the seller actually keeps their animals. I have heard people talk a big stick about their quality animals and then when you go see their place - and how healthy their animals look it backs up that statement - talk is cheap. How healthy they look and if they keep medical records I think is very important.
WELCOME!! My advice to you, is pay the most you can for a quality goat. If you are hoping to grow a larger herd, or get more than one doe, and can afford some wait time, I highly recommend purchasing a bred doe. You'll be able to start milking sooner, and you have the chance of growing your herd with more does when she kids, if any of them are girls.
Welcome to the group! Believe it or not, someone in Montana bought four goats from me a few years ago. She drove all the way to Illinois. I know there are people closer though. In fact, I think we have a member (or two or three) from Montana. Hopefully they'll see this message!
You really want to buy directly from a reputable breeder. Do NOT buy at a sale barn as that is where people take problem goats to get rid of them. And remember that you get what you pay for. Although not every expensive goat is worth the price, it is highly unlikely that you will get a good goat for $50. No one would sell a goat for $50 if they could get $300 or $500 for it, which is the price range for good quality registered Nigerians.
What you spend per goat to feed will vary tremendously from one part of the country to another as the price of hay varies from $5 to $20 per bale, depending on where you live. I'm not sure what the price is in Montana. We've had discussions on here before about hay prices.
You will find a ton of information in the forum archives on here. Click on forum (top of the page) and you'll see a search box near the top, and you can search for whatever info you want. There is also a breeder listing if you mouse over the "Members" link at the top of the page.
You might also want to check out the goat articles on www.ThriftyHomesteader.com, as well as my book, Raising Goats Naturally, which you can get at the library (or through inter-library loan) if you don't want to buy it.