Any goatkeepers here?

[hollowdweller]

What you got?

How many you milking?

Saanens here since 1988.

[HeresyLives]

1. Not any more, but many years ago.

Mostly Nubians, but some Toggs and Saanens.

[babylonsister]

2. OK, bookmarked for info. I didn't know goats could be milked.

:shrug:

All right, goats milk, I 'get' it. Sort of.

[frazzled]

3. LOL, where did you think all that goat cheese comes from?

When my daughter was in around 4th grade, one of her teachers had a large goat farm (which produced quite a bit of commercial goat's milk and cheese). She invited all the kids out to the farm for a day's field trip once, and it was a fascinating experience. These were city kids, so it was well remembered by them for many years (including this parent, who went along as a chaperone).

[FedUpWithIt All]

4. No goats yet. We are planning to get some in the next couple of months.

It has been a long couple weeks research and i think we are going to get Pygoras. We are trying to work on an integrated system. We want goats that are multi-purpose and the brush clearing trait is a big + since we have a mess of it on our land.

Edited to ask...How do you house your goats?

[hollowdweller]

7. I have a big barn.

Beware of the pygmies and other small breeds. They are super cute but every body I know had had trouble keeping them in.

They can really get under a LOW fence.

[newfie11]

12. AS was told to me many years ago

go to the nearest maximum security prison, try to duplicate the enclosures and maybe you have 50% chance of containing your goat.

Our goat lived with the horses and were in a stall at night.

[Zebedeo]

5. Boers

for meat. About two dozen right now, give or take.

[TexasProgresive]

6. Nubians since 1977 or 78

Life member of ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association). We are only milking one at present and she has been in milk for 2 years. We don't push for milk production as we don't market anymore but have friends who do. A young couple south of us make and sell wonderful cheese - mostly marketed at various farmers' markets in the Houston area.
This is a link to their website:
http://www.blueherontexas.com/

[hollowdweller]

8. Nubians. Ever read the story of Hallcienda Frosty Marvin??

I think that's one of the coolest stories ever written. Rejected by buyers almost sold for meat and wound up being one of the most influential animals of the breed.

[TexasProgresive]

9. Alice didn't even want him and gave him to a nephew(?)

Who keep him in his dorm room until he got too big and Alice took him back. The rest is history.

What a handsome guy!

[fasttense]

10. I'm seriously considering hair sheep, the Katahdin looks promising.

I saw a herd on my far neighbor's hillside and thought they were goats.

[LWolf]

14. I have a St. Croix; the last of the small herd I sold 2 years ago.

I love them. They're a heritage sheep, considered rare, and I believe one of the strains the Katahdin was bred from.

[newfie11]

11. American alpine

But not now the last one died at age 14. BTW this girl gave a gallon of milk a day.

[hollowdweller]

13. 14 seems to be near the top

I've had several old girls die in the 13 to 14 year old range.

I can remember when 10 was old. I think the eradication of CAE has reaally helped.

[murray hill farm]

15. I have three that I got early in the year.

They are Nubian/Boar mix. Two Nanny's and one billy. I believe one is preggers now..looking more like it every day. I am still learning about being a goat momma...I call myself that because when they see me, they call out Ma-a-a-a-a-a-a!. Ha! They are very gentle and very sweet animals and they are endlessly amusing. I just love them. Still trying to figure out how to trim their hoofs..and am thinking of having that done by professional trimmer, but want to learn how to do that myself. They have their own small barn and a small fenced field...which I will expand in the spring. I got them for the milk that they will produce...and the cheese I will produce from their milk. Love goat cheese! They are skilled escape artists!