Registered goats vs. generic goats

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I have studied up on goats for a long time and am now interested in getting two. I need them for brush duty. I do not plan to milk them at this time. I don't see why a less expensive mixed breed wouldn't do the job. Recent discussions lead me to think that registered is a good investment, yet as a beginner I don't want to err with high quality ($) goats. Could I have some pros and cons from folks? Books are great but people have more experience!

-- Anne (HealthyTouch@hotmail.com), May 11, 2000

Answers

Anne, for what you need, grade goats would do just fine. But that is all you'll ever have, which you seem to understand. A couple of grade wethers shouldn't cost much, and if you ever do decide to get either a milk goat, she'll have some companionship. Spending your money of good registered milk goats and then just turning them out to brush duty wouldn't make sense to me. Good luck, Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), May 11, 2000.

Anne, I just got a couple of "free" wethers. I'll let you know how it works out. It's been raining and cold here all week (weird since the rest of the country is in some kind of heat wave)and the goats don't like to go outside, unlike the sheep. I didn't anticipate that they would want to hang around inside all day. Still, they are doing a yeoman's job on the blackberries thus far!

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), May 11, 2000.

Hello anne,

For what your goals are right now raising grade goats would work out fine. However, if your goals change then you may need to consider other issues with those goals if you decide to get into showing or grade dairy. You would then need to consider testing, bloodlines, etc.,

You could even raise some nice meat goats that are grade if there is a market in your area for chevon. Good luck and keep us posted.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), May 11, 2000.


Sheepish, as you have just discovered, goats HATE to get wet! Which was why I was amazed when we took a doe kid camping with us a number of years ago. The girls, who were her primary "mothers", were spending most of the hot days wading in the creek, and that little doe would follow them right into the water -- not very happy about it, but determined to stay with her "mommies"!! Kind of like a chicken raising ducklings, only in reverse!! Anne, for what you are doing, grade wethers would probably be best. That way, if you decide later to get registered milkers, there's no worry of mixing bloodlines.

-- Kathleen Sanderson (stonycft@worldpath.net), May 11, 2000.

There is no reason for you to buy registered goats if all they are going to be is brush goats.Do try to get some that don't have horns, so the horns will not get caught in the brush or fence. Even for the homesteader who is going to eat all the kids and only wants milk, doesn't want to breed them, I think grades are fine, as long as they are decent grades that will milk well. If you can, try to get goats that are from a CAE and abcess free herd. If you ever get any other goats, you don't want the abcess germs hanging around to infect them, best to keep your place disease free.

-- Rebekah (daniel1@transport.com), May 11, 2000.


Thanks. I appreciate the advice and will get de-horned/disbudded goats that are not full blooded and certified. Later I may want to, but the brush doesn't care who eats it! Thanks again.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch@hotmail.com), May 11, 2000.

My view on milk stock is elsewhere, but why not if it is just for brush control go with a pet stock that you will at least be able to sell, like Pygmies? They are very entertaining, sell for a better amount than the brush goat type trade, and you won't be selling to anyone but pet folks. You don't need them to be registered to sell for pets, but later on if you do decide to breed for quality you could eaisly do this with a purebred buck purchase. I just hate to see folks limit themselves, you are still going to have to feed, hay, water, trim feet, vaccinate, worm, doctor, fence, house etc. why not do it with something that will at least make you some money once in awhile. Giving advice to purchase wethers? No! You still have to do all of the above with a wether! I don't see this argument as being registered vs nonregistered, I see it as being far sighted. You can sell eggs from your hens, bunnies for easter or eating, from you rabbits, vegetables from your garden, why not make the most of your livestock? The main reason folks are in and out of the goat business so quickly is because of the cost vs profit. And the usual 35$ goat begets the 35$ kid. What a total waste of your time! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), May 12, 2000.

Good points Vicki. I thank you. I am considering Pygmy goats, with the only hesitation being, if I have to do all the care and feeding for them I want something that will eat a lot of brush too. I am supposing that the Pygmy breed eats less in a day than a larger goat. Is that true? I like the idea of working with the Pygmys for all kinds of reasons. Even if they're not practical, I may get them anyway, since I like their looks and think I could easily house and manage their care myself.

-- Anne (Healthytouch101@hotmail.com), May 12, 2000.

Anne' Speaking from my own experience, grade goats are a good idea, to start out. You might decide you don't wnat to raise goats, it seems to be a love them or hate them livestock. I still like grades and still have some in my herd, I sell most of the kids for meat anyway and lock for size, hardiness and good dispositions. They all milk, some better than others and some easier than others. It is your decision. Oh, I firmly believe in getting the Best Buck you can afford, definetely Purebred, good bloodlines, he is half your herd. And if you can show how he improves certain traits ie good feet and legs, or topline and udder, what ever you need to improve, his offspring will be worth more money. A real good breeder close by really helps if you decide to raise purebreds after awhile, or you might consider Boers, they are excellent meat goats. Whew! better quit now. I love all goats. karen

-- Karen Mauk (dairygoatmama@hotmail.com), May 13, 2000.

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