got goats?

[ClarkFarm]

Well I have dabbled in purchasing goats from slaughter and then re-homing them for a couple years now. I particularly enjoy the pygmy goats who end up at slaughter auctions much more often that what you'd think.

I just bought two little pgymy billies last week that were way too young to be taken from Mom. I bought them both for $10. How sad. I think I have purchased and then adopted out (after neuters, vaccinations, deworming, and taming them down) around a dozen goats to date. Not a high number but then again, I ony do this as time permits. It is always nice to see them again and know they are in good hands. I have four that are my permanent residents.

Goats have quite a personality when you take the opportunity to get to know them. My kids love being able to play in the goat fence and they giggle like crazy when their clothes are nibbled on. It is always a favorite with visiting children as well as some adults. I keep telling myself that one of these days, I am going to take the one little dwarf goat I have to visit a local nursing home.
These pics are of some of these goats, both past and present. Just meaning that some I still have, others were succesfully re-homed.
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[ClarkFarm]

Here are some more:

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-8/1205472/annielookingstrightahead.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-8/1205472/billyandjonny.jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-8/1205472/cookie(2).jpg

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-8/1205472/NathanAndMickey.jpg

[turnerlvv]

I love pygmy goats. I plan to get one or two when I get my own house. I would want to get a young one because they would have to get used to the dogs. :D

[GSP4619]

awww thats cute!!

[ClarkFarm]

Originally posted by turnerlvv:
I would want to get a young one because they would have to get used to the dogs.

Your surest bet would be to get a bottle baby who has been raised around dogs but even the adult goats I have purchased seem to become familiar with my dogs and do not startle near them but have someone bring over a visiting dog and they panic. My GSD had always been accepted and respected. She could herd those goats back into the barn by just looking at them yet the goats weren't "spazzing" about it.
Now when my sil brings her dog over, which happens once a week, the goats will jump over themselves to get away from her and she has never shown any interest in the goats.
Before Mickey died, (the black one being bottle-fed by my youngest son in the pics), he thought he was a dog I think, or some sort of human perhaps, and had no fear whatsoever of any dog which isn't always the best idea either for their own safety.

[Tori's mom]

I have been thinking about getting a goat to keep Bo company. I'm a little leary about it though as I have no experience with goats. I'm just starting to do some research.

[ClarkFarm]

Is Bo a horse? lol, I can't remember but I know you mentioned him before.

I have a really good book about goat care that is written for the beginner but readable material for anyone involved in goats. If we ever do get together for a doggie fun day, remind me to bring it along and you can read it then.

Have you ever thought about having a cart goat? I always wanted to try this but we never got around to building the cart, lol, always had other things to build instead. Some day though, the neighbors will see me leading a goat down the road pulling my kids in a cart, :D , they will laugh like crazy.

[Tori's mom]

Bo is my horse, the big bad appy. I'm sort of torn on the decision, I want Bo to have a buddy, but am a bit afraid of goats. You gotta love the human mind, I break horses for fun, but am afraid of sheep, goats, cattle...:o
So I'm getting better with dealing with "real" livestock, but it's a hard decision. I'll definately take you up on the book Clark Farm.