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"Thank you for all the great info on the goats Catherine."
"What are the benefits of raising goats? I saw your post on Levi's page and am very curious."
"Thanks Levi and good message in your "about me" always takes a while to figure out how things work..."
Comments
You are welcome. Goats can be a real joy to raise. If you ever get the urge, find someone to give you "goat lessons" on how to care for them properly. Many herd owners / breeders will be glad to give you some help. I volunteered to do whatever work needed to be done with the gal I wound up buying my goats from, so I could learn first-hand. It was a real benefit to me -- and the goats!
Benefits of raising goats - hmmm - where to start. :-) My experience is primarily with miniature dairy goats, Nigerian Dwarf, but I am also knowledge about the larger dairy goat breed Alpine through my friend Kathy Marshall.
Goats have about the intelligence of a dog, when hand raised they can be affectionate, funny, and useful pets. As a herd animal they need company for health and long life. Another goat or a suitable dog can be their companion. A friend of ours describes owning goats like potato chips - you can't just have one - you "need" more! Hand raised they will learn their name, can be taught tricks, the larger breeds can be trained to carry packs and even pull a plough or cart.
The Nigerian milk is super rich, one of the richest among goat breeds, about 8% - wonderful to drink fresh, and makes great yogurt and cheeses. The Nigerian is considered an exotic pet exemption to livestock rules in many areas of the valley - but folks need to check if they are in an HOA. They require less room and feed than the Alpine and larger breeds, but can still produce a quart+ of milk a day depending on the lineage. The Nigerans should not be confused with the Pygmy goat -- the Nigerians are a specific dairy goat, easy to deliver their kids (Pygmy have a reputation for difficulty deliveries), good milk production, and long-lived if properly cared for (12-15 years).
Wethers - fixed boys, make great weed-eaters and pets.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
Oh, and if you had an experience with not liking the taste of goats milk - it may have been the result of 1) the does being around the bucks, and/or 2) allowing lactating does to wild brouse. Alfafa hay and other good hay feed results in superior tasting milk. The milk taste is a direct result of the feed used.
Catherine