Thanx.
Well, I say “thinking” because I’m reading about it and investigating.
Do female goats have to be milked every day?
Are they susceptible to disease, or are they a hardier species?
Do male goats have to be de-horned?
I have heard goats don’t like to be/get wet. Being in the Northwest, I wonder what kind of shelter they need.
I have heard they are very, very social animals. My next door neighbor had a couple goats for about two days last summer. One was CONSTANTLY bleating/grunting. When my friend went outside to where the goats were, they would shut up and eat. When he got tired of watching the goats and went inside, the one would start his moaning and groaning again! Do they imprint in this manner and what do you do to prevent it?
How much can a goat reasonable expect to eat in a day?
I probably have many more questions, so if you want, stay tuned!
Sheep are more trouble but goats get in more trouble.
Do female goats have to be milked every day?
I had two female dwarfs - sisters. One started producing milk; the other didn't. Every two days for her. I'v e heard that they should NOT produce milk unless they've given birth. Didn't work that way for Ellie Mae. The vet said it was due to estrogen found in the grass!
Are they susceptible to disease, or are they a hardier species?
They all get an annual TCE shot. My alpha male, Jack, got an infection once. Source unknown series of shots and he was fine. Ellie Mae had mastitus and needed medication. She later (5 years old) got bloated and I didn't get to her in time and she died. It think they are fairly healthy.
Do male goats have to be de-horned?
They don't have to be, but they can get into trouble with them. All four of mine were dehorned. The males were also (OUCH!) wethered. They sure like to butt each other! It takes NO provocation at all to get one to butt another.
I have heard goats don’t like to be/get wet. Being in the Northwest, I wonder what kind of shelter they need.
What part of the NW? The rain forest side or the dry side?
Mine sure like to stay dry! Any sprinkles and they hightail it to the barn! Mine are spoiled. A big barn area and I even have a heated area 3*3*7 feet. It has a small space heater (where they CANNOT get to it)
I have heard they are very, very social animals. My next door neighbor had a couple goats for about two days last summer. One was CONSTANTLY bleating/grunting. When my friend went outside to where the goats were, they would shut up and eat. When he got tired of watching the goats and went inside, the one would start his moaning and groaning again! Do they imprint in this manner and what do you do to prevent it?
Might have just been the 2 days! Mine used to chatter at each other a lot when young, but it wasn't loud and not bothersome. Be sure that your local governmental unit allows goats. Being in the countryside; it's all farms. I have no close neighbors that might complain anyway.
How much can a goat reasonable expect to eat in a day?
It depends. Their weight, availibility of food in their pasture. I feed mine a lot of processed food. And TREATS!! They'll eat the bark off of your apple trees; nibble your wifes flowers, steal the paper napkin off the picnic table, eat the cardboard box you getting nails out of, mail you've accidently placed in their reach, any cardboard box within range of their climbing ability. Give 'em potato chips, crackers, baked potato skins, cake, bread, rolls, lasagana, you'll have happy campers.
They are MORE curious than cats, will pester you in EVERYthing you try to do near them. Will ignore you when you command them; and go right back to whatever it was that you physically drug them away from doing just seconds before. They react just opposite from what you are trying to do. Pull one to give them a loving hug, and they'll pull away. But PUSH on them to get them away from you and they'll push right back!