IF we are successful in our breeding this fall - we will have kids. 3 does - so potential for 0-9 kids depending upon what happens.
I'm keeping 2, 2 are placed in a home but I will need to market the others to people. In my area - we seem to have ALOT of Nigerians.
So - what do you all do to market your goats and to "stand out"? Some of the places around me create LOTS of kids. Never seem to have a problem placing them even though prices can be quite high.
I'm learning so please share!
Judy
Replies
This was my first year and sold all three of my boys as wethers (no interest earlier as bucklings which was fine as they became pets rather than dinner). I advertised on Craig's List. Two went to a family with two small girls; the mom keeps in touch with me and sends photos - she has lost her heart to the little guys. The older (by a day) went to a home for an additional pet with two adult goats and two kids a month older. Though they have not kept in touch, I know he was fine as he had a herd sire's attitude and was certain to establish *his* place in the herd.
Take good photos and say a little about each one. I honestly think talking about their personalities helped people notice them. As wethers, they were listed only a few days. I posted mine under pets or livestock (don't remember which) but in the key words I included Nigerian Dwarf, Nigerian Dwarf goats - notice plural which gets picked up if they are typing a singular search. Knowing babies might become dinner is what kept me from starting sooner. For me, my eldest son will take any not sold for pets to butcher - my feeling is that I know he will butcher them "kindly" and respectfully whereas I don't have that knowledge with a stranger. Maybe someday I can do it but that day is a long way away if it ever comes.
I feel blessed for them to have gotten good homes and feel comfortable with where they went. Because I am in town, I do not have the option of keeping them as I am limited to how many. Keeping the doeling will put me at four (limit three) but as long as no one complains, I'll be okay. Everyone in the neighborhood loves them so I cannot imagine anyone complaining but I shall still be careful, especially after spring kidding, regarding how many. Recently, I read the final wording of the code which says "three" rather than three adults as we had discussed in committee. However, serving on the committee, I know who to talk to for a recap of the intention of the way it's written as babies were specifically discussed as a "byproduct" of having milking goats so the issue would be what is an adult if it ever comes up. As long as they are quiet and there are no odor problems (and no running around the neighborhood<g>), I'm sure all will be fine. When girls were in heat this past couple of weeks, I put a note on the gate where people usually walk by explaining that they were noisy but okay, just in heat but not getting bred and it would only last two or three days and thanking them for their patience. Normally, the girls don't talk at all, so little that many people just walking by have no clue they are here, perfect for town.
on Facebook there is also a farm classified section for posting. here it is Oregon Homesteaders Classifieds - I would assume you have one in your area also. ^^ I experience the same problem moving goats. It appears if you are not in the show circuit - it is a bit harder moving your goat kids along.
Judy,
Nice you already have 4 placed. So you should only have a coupe to sell.
I'm in your area and I have used craigslist successfully . I always worry because I am close to the city and there is no market for goats close to me but. I have found that people usually come from about an hour away and they do eventually sell. Also like me you are only trying to sell a few kids so it only takes a couple of customers and the kids are all sold for the year.
I have had the added luck that 13 of the 16 kids over the last 3 years have been doelings, Also before getting into this I did realize and accept that male kids may eventually need to be someone's dinner and that heped me to think through all the possibilities concerning kids that won't sell.
I know some people who milk through to lessen the number of kids that they need to have to deal with, though milking through does not appeal to me as I like taking a break from milking in winter.
Joan
Craigslist is how my breeder sells her kids also.
I have sold the most on craigslist. Make sure you add key words on your ad so that people using search words can find it. I also include information on their disease free status and milk records/show wins if any. Websites also seem to work well.
Best Farm Buys and Goat Finder are both great places to place online adds. I think they're free, but one might cost a small amount. I can't remember for sure.
Getting a Facebook business page is a good idea.
Blog or website.
Goat Spot has a spot to advertise your herd.