A blog I read posted a great little primer on dairy goats. A lot of important information here, especially for those of you that have been curious, but don't know too much about the ins and outs of keeping goats.
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Rachel, sorry if you've already discussed this question.
I live near downtown Phoenix and have a big backyard. I would like two goats. How would I find out about local laws pertaining to in-city livestock?
thanks, Cindy
Hi Cindy.
Dave and I live in downtown Phoenix (7th St and Roosevelt) and can give you all kinds of information about rules and regs for goat ownership in the valley. The primary rule is square footage. The size of your lot needs to be 10,000 square ft or more, which is just under a quarter acre. If you have this size of a lot, you are home free. The rest is obvious, maintain cleanliness and minimize sounds (like you would a barking dog). The City only gets involved if a neighbor raises issue as it is a complaint based system. Our neighbors on one side are 3-story condos who have a better view of our yard than we do; we have a good relationship with our City Rep and she's been by several times, mostly to give us a pat on the back. :)
I'd be happy to give you more info. And, we owned one goat for nearly a year at a property that was under regulation size. Our neighbors loved our farm and considered it a petting zoo. It depends entirely upon your environment. Not encouraging, just sayin'...
We have 7 baby goats at the moment and 3 mature dairy does, 2 which are in milk. We raise Nigerian Dwarf goats, one of the highest breeds for butter fat content and excellent milk production. If you'd ever like to meet us at dawn or dusk for a milking demo, we'd be happy to introduce you to our urban farm and the joys of owning dairy goats. Please come by and see what we're doing, we love visitors!
Laura
Rachel - great link, lots of eye opening information.
Laura,
My wife and I are in the midst of purchasing our first home in phoenix (13th ave & Glenrosa). The lot is 16,000 sq ft and we'd really like to have a goat or two. I'm sure it would be very helpful if we could experience an evening milking.
Our scheduled closing date is August 10th and there are some chores we need to take care of around the place before we're ready for the commitment. We'd really be open to whenever and greatly appreciative for the opportunity.
Hope this isn't considered a hijack!
have been considering adding some goats to my half acre property, would love to see what you are doing and watch a milking if your open to a visitor. I work very near to you and could maybe meet you for a dusk milking? If this would work for you let me know what day if you have a preference.
kay
You bet, Kay. We milk twice a day every day about 12 hours apart. Typically morning milking is between 6:30am-7:30am. Evening milking is between 7pm-8pm. I'll send you my number. Come on by!
Laura
Good info! I love our Nubians. And we are going to be in milk soon! My one doe is due May 16th, the other in June. The best advice I have that I don't recall seeing in this article...is to have a goat vet BEFORE you bring home the goats. That way you have the peace of mind knowing that if you need one, you've got one...there isn't any scrambling to find someone.
Also, goats can be quite loud! I've found though that as long as mine are fed on a very regular schedule...they are happy and quiet. Although it's best to have a good rapport with your neighbors. All of mine know I have goats, I've talked to all of them about it. I've given out my phone number, letting them know that my goal is to maintain a good neighborly relationship and if there's ever a problem with noise, smell, etc...to call me, let me know, and I'll fix it.
In addition...the old rule is as true for goats as it is with other animals...Good fences make good neighbors.
There are some other things people should be aware of in an urban/semi urban environment. The birth of a kid can go wrong, and become stuck in the birth canal, just like any other animal. Problem is your local vet may not accept goats or know how to treat them in the first place, and a lot of livestock care professionals are scheduled out with regular clients, and may not be able to help in the middle of the night or come before it's too late. Thankfully Mum -in-law is a nurse and grew up on a farm in Ontario!
They sold the female kids and butchered the males, even had a stud on site for their 4 nannies (Nubians), which had a large area all to himself because of his disgusting habits. He didn't just spray on himself but on everything!
And of course there's a sad story. They don't have the goats anymore because they were murdered. A pack of neighborhood dogs was able to scale the pen wall, killing 2 of the females, and leaving the other 2 beyond help. The buck was unable to protect them as he was separated from his ladies, and he remained deeply depressed until they sold him and he was hauled away.
These are not just fowl or rabbits, they are very intelligent and emotional. Mum was very attached to her gentle nannies, and it was so traumatizing she never talks about the loss. One of the kids in the family even asked a few years ago "What happened to the goats? It seems like they disapeared over night. " and this was a decade after the fact! That's how hard it is for her to talk about it.
Out of curiosity we 2 asked a local family who keeps and breeds them in Mesa about purchasing a couple. They have a very strict sale contract that states that you must purchase in pairs, one female and her wether brother, and that before the contact is finalised they must be allowed to see where and how you will be keeping them. Serious goat love!
I would still love to have a couple, even as pets. K-Man says they were a lot like dogs to him.
Thanks Rachel, great info...would love to get some in next year or two. Your link also led to a bunch of other valuable reading about them.