The Poultry Keeper

kspencerbowden · Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 6

Thinking of getting a goat! Which breed is best- small and friendly? Also anything i should know before getting one?

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7370 Location: isle of lewis

hi there

don't get 1 get 2 they hate being kept alone although i did have one who hated other goats , Twisted Evil

i have a couple of old english and a british togg ,
it depends what you want from your goats
the toggs tend to prduce large amounts of milk
the old english are closer to the feral goats the orignal smallholders goat,rough grazing not a lot of concertrate,
hoi at the moment is producing 4 pints a day
zara (bt ) was producing 10 per day
we were drowning in the stuff hence pigs
fencing is a problem they really do jump although some more than others ,i love mine ,old english are not for everyone they are very intellgent,there's lots of other breeds out there something will suit you Very Happy

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7370 Location: isle of lewis

children have just reminded me golden gurnesy are nice and small,saanan have nice temperments but are bigger
suz

Zooey · Joined: 06 Feb 2006 Posts: 82 Location: East Sussex

If you don't want milk, then pygmies are great fun. I've heard horror stories about goats being escape artists, but we've never had a problem. Our field has 4' post and single rail fencing, with 4' stock. Goats cannot abide wet conditions and will need a good shelter. Foot problems are almost impossible to escape this time of year. From what I've read on the internet, then some goats (and sheep etc.) are carriers and farmers are encouraged to cull those with recurring fot rot. Unless you find a breeder who is totally clear, then expect to go through several cans of Alamycin spray each winter. Feet will need trimming once a month and they will also require vaccinating against clostridial disease. We worm ours three times a year. Goats are very agile and we've built ours a huge play hill. They also have some dog agility equipment which is great fun. One of our wethers will even use the see saw with supervision Smile

rubychik · Posted: Wed Feb 08, 2006 7:52 pm Post subject:

someone is offering goats free to collector in my local paper, I'll pm you the number if you are interested/near enough

mojo · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 6:16 pm Post subject:

people always seem to be giving goats away over here wonder why

milkmaid · Joined: 19 Apr 2005 Posts: 7370 Location: isle of lewis

i have a waiting list for mine ,don't know why Rolling Eyes

somedays they can have the lot Twisted Evil

,and at tops this year they'll be four Cool

,if i get round to the phone call for the billy to come and be friendly with my girls Wink

suz

fenwoman · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:06 am Post subject:

Please stop talking about goats. For 20 years I had pedigree british saanen. I decided they were hard work and sold up about 5 years ago. Now I miss them and am considering having goats again. To this end I've put my name down to be considered if the 3 acre field across the lane from my cottage, comes up for rent again.Since I now live on my own I guess I'll be making butter, ice cream and cheese with the surplus.

stephen · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:05 am Post subject:

I've just ordered some books from Amazon on how to make cheese, butter, creme fraiche etc...

CP · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:07 am Post subject:

Hope you did it through PK Stephen! Laughing

stephen · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:28 am Post subject:

Technically I'm not allowed to, as the site owner. *cough*

Heather · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:32 am Post subject:

was one the Katie Thear, Dairying one??

I made butter the other weekend - was most impressed with myself Very Happy

I actually wanted the buttermilk and Waitrose had run out !!
Mark said the butter tasted lovely too Smile

Heather · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 11:49 am Post subject:

Oh and I made it in the bread maker on the pizza dough setting , but if you have an electric whisk , which I don't, because the motors keep going and I'm holding out for a Kitchenaid when we redo the kitchen, which is hopefully very soon! ( Imean look @ those 70's tiles!) ... Instructions for butter making here

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Cor aint you clever Smile

CP · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2006 12:02 pm Post subject:

That's really cool Heather! Smile