Raising dairy goats

[strivingforpr31]

Does anyone have experience with this? I know of the nutritional benefits to raw goats milk and have property that would easily accomodate a goat or two. Is it a lot of work? What I really want to know is am I insane for even thinking about this considering that I am a very busy homeschooling mom of 5 children, 8 and under?

[JCsMomma]

I have a friend who had goats when she was growing up. She did go to school, but she and her sister learned so much from them that she ended up in FFA (future farmers of America). They are a wealth of information and learning experiences... just include the kids in the chores of the goats. I don't have more info... but would love to hear about your journey with this!

[Dandelion]

We have goats! Living in NZ I probably can't answer all your questions, as I don't know the climatic situation differences, and I'm in a totally different situation re. work load. I know you'd love the animals and your children would too, so I suppose it is not right to encourage you to try them if you don't think you could handle it. But I still would encourage you to try. I love goats. Goats are small enough that your older children should be able to help (though I would say be wry of horns). Actually I dare say the biggest time waster will be them - specially the babies, they're too cute.(though I suppose for the chldren that wouldn't be so bad)
If you leave the kids on the mother it wouldn't be so much work, but then you have to have somewhere to put the kids for a time (like overnight, or else, during the day while the mother is out eating) so that you can get the milk (milk her out and give the kids a little, til she makes more). This way you don't have to milk every day.
they are fussy animals - like fresh feed.
Worms is the other major problem, that you'd need to look and prevent. Last year I used a drench with aloe vera and cloves that I was really pleased with. One of our goats went from Dec. to April with it. (For us, we let our first goat get sick and then spread the worms around before resorting to chemicals and so since then we've had big problems, and had to drench with chemicals -often every 3-5 weeks.)
The only other thing I'd warn about is that unless you milk and keep milking without kidding, you've got babies that have to be sold, or... (the meat is good, but ...) Actually if you've got room for two goats (I think two is the best number. We've got three, and they are not always the best at getting on together. There's no problems, they're just goats!) I suggest you get one mother to start with, and keep one of her daughters.
Well, I think that might be about enough for now! It's grown! If you have any more questions, I'd be pleased to try to answer. And please up date me either way!

[strivingforpr31]

Thanks, I was thinking that 2 would be a good number too. I've heard mixed opinions on tethering goats out. Do you ever do this?

[Farmer Annie]

Dandelion's sister here.

Yes, we tether our buck on the road-side! He's only just coming up 2 years old though, and isn't the largest of billy goats. We haven't tethered our does much - only occasionally - though we know of others who do tether. We have actually tethered our cow more!

You do need to be able to keep a watchful eye on a tethered animal, as they can get tangled. For goats, you need to provide access to shelter, and water. We have found chains to be good for tethering goats - can't be chewed (though we tether our cow with a sturdy rope). Tethering can be intensive, with animals needing to be moved and tended, but it can be done, with care... Also, I don't want to scare anyone, but remember that a tethered animal is vulnerable to being stolen and mistreated (inc. being killed). Particularly, on roadsides, being public places.

Whether tethering would be suitable will depend on the individual animals, your personal preferences, time management, location, etc. There's no blanket rule, and as you say, a lot of opinions.

[strivingforpr31]

Thanks, we would only tether occasionally in our flat pasture area and definately only when we are home. One concern is cougars in this area. I'd probably let the dogs run the area.

For the most part we will keep them in a large fenced area that is in the creekbed and up the bank. It is very brushy and hopefully quite yummy. ;D