Does anyone have goats?

[mcmich]

I was thinking that I would like to have a milking goat. Does anyone have any goats and what advice would you give a first time goat owner?

[cookie1]

I don't have goats Mich. a friend did and they ate everything they could get.

[judydawn]

I've seen them ripping washing off the line in a private caravan park and eating it Michele.  I think they might be more trouble than they are worth but I could be wrong.

[CreamPuff63]

OMG you will have to give it a little mountain to climb, and you'll get head butted, and it'll eat all your straw hats, all this for a glass of milk. I've often toyed with the idea of a couple of chooks with one of those coops that you can move around, but I think I'll just try and cadge my sisters spare eggs cos I don't like $h!t everywhere, or encourage rats and snakes. If they were let out they'd eat all our vegies. How pessimistic is that?  Why a goat mich? Do you have allergies?

[obbie]

Our friends do, they are just up the road. they have about 12.

[Aussie Brenda]

OMG, yesterday my DD and SIL acquired 12 goats and I can tell be the picture of them they are on the way to producing more  , I was over there in the morning before they arrived and she hadn't even fenced off the house garden properly,  they bought 20 acres two months ago and now have a dog, three old chooks a horse and the goats,   Fun and games , I just remembered my GS's veggie garden is in the paddock, I bet there isn't anything left of that this morning.

[maddy]

We took 1 goat in as it's owner was moving....it went back the same day 
if you do consider one Michele, make sure it's harnessed well, as they not only eat EVERYTHING in their path, they can jump and escape like an Olympian...it could become a liability.

[gertbysea]

What would you do with it when you went away? 

Gert

[Cuilidh]

Why don't you try a goat out for a while - contact a local breeder / farmer and see if you can "borrow"  one for a couple of weeks to see how you get on before committing to keeping one permanently.  I believe they can be more trouble than they are worth - as all the above stories say, but if you have a terrible patch of weeds / blackberries / bracken, etc. to clear, they could well be the thing for you (so long as you can control them).

[kezza]

So McMich, still thinking of getting a goat after these comments!  I toyed with the idea of chooks too CP because we have the room, but I came to the same conclusion as you after speaking to someone who had previously had chooks.

[mab19]

DILs father brought some goats out to their property and set them loose in the bush.  What a disaster, they ate all the young trees and what they didn't eat they trampled on. 

[flavourofthemonth]

I've had dairy goats in the past for a number of years and loved them. I miss them even though that was 20 years ago. They are the most wonderful animal. Like a sweet dog in temperament and so smart. They are very easy to handle and very easy to train. I've had dairy goats and angora goats. Two very different animals. The angoras were more like sheep but a bit easier in that they come to you rather than needing to round them up.

If you seriously want a decent dairy goat, find a reputable dairy goat breeder. There is a lot to learn if you want to keep her in milk long term. You can buy one in milk and just start milking which will then give you many, many months to learn all there is needed to know about breeding,etc. you will need some decent fencing but a full grown lactating doe is unlikely to jump any fences. When she has kids however, well they are a whole different ballgame. They will mostly stick with mum but will also probably go jumping and leaping over all sorts of obstacles in the name of fun. They are wonderful and entertaining to watch but you will need to be very prepared and ready for them. Best of luck.

[mcmich]

Thanks for all advice and stories. 

I will see if I can try one out as Cuilidh suggested. DH is not keen at all. 

[droverjess]

Good luck..... And please keep us posted