Goats

[MudRat]

Had a phonecall last night, we are now the owners of a pair of 18 month old pygmy goats!! Now we need a hut for them, ! Pictures when they arrive!! Any clues would be good, as i am new to Goats.  :lol:

[GREENI]

[-X  

[Ja1983]

they taste lovely when grilled over charcoal.....


 :lol:

[Guardian.]

ummmmmmmmmm, tasty.

[P16LET]

Despite keeping sheep of my own, I used to work with nearly 3000 goats, and the first thing I was taught is pretty much anything to do with goats can be equated to sheep....same feed, same kind of management (...foot trimming etc) and same kind of drugs and dosage rates (...although being pygmies everything will be a lot smaller!!)....
.....although on the whole they do have a tendency to look after themselves...a good, draught free shelter is fairly important (..a redundant wooden potato box(1 ton size) is ideal, just  up end it and cut a pophole in the side...and a bit of roofing wouldn't harm....felt or preformed corrugated sheeting), as they don't have the priveledge of thick wooly coats like sheep...keep it bedded with good quality straw (not too much dust...can cause respiratory problems otherwise)..wheat or barley, although barley does make for good eating too! ...feedwise - pretty much anything! Allow access to good hay and fresh clean water always, supplemented with "kitchen greens", grass etc., but limit the intake of these, otherwise digestion gets a bit dodgy..... :shock:

I could witter on at great length, but make an investment prior to their arrival, in the shelter as mentioned, and a good book on goat keeping.....

....other than that, I hope they give you years of enjoyment :D :D :D :D

P.S...any more queries, feel free to PM me and I'll endeavour to help  :)

[Bush Tucker Man]

ummmmmmmmmm, tasty.

Goat Curry, with 'Rice & Peas' is simply wonderful :(bigsmile):

http://www.caribbean-food.co.uk/recipe.php?id=98

   

[Pete]

Goats.
  Been there, done that. The goats ate the t/shirt.  They also climbed every tree in the orchard, and ate most of the leaves.
 Never hang out laundry where the goats can reach it. Mohair sweaters taste great to goats, as do socks, underwear, and just about anything else. They also like to nibble the paint from tractor radiator grills, and the wheelarches of cars. On the subject of vehicles. To a goat everything is a challenge, the bigger the vehicle, the more they want to check the view from it's roof.
 If you have neighbours, and they happen to be keen gardeners,good luck. Goats are firm believers in the saying that "the other mans grass is allways greener" that includes flowers veg shrubs etc, and his Mrs's knickers if she hangs them on the line.
 You would do well to remember that an old name for Satan is The Goat of Mendez.
 If you have a single story extension on your house, don't be surprised to hear the patter of tiny hooves on the roof. When it comes to climbing, goats could make Hillary and Tensing look like learners.
 Having said (and experienced) all that, and more.
 They are great to have about the place. (Some would say in kebabs) and can be very entertaining at times. Bloody annoying att others.
 Best of luck.
 Pete.

[crazymac]

ummmmmmmmmm, tasty.

Goat Curry, with 'Rice & Peas' is simply wonderful :(bigsmile):

"Broad Yorkshire accent"  "Goat curry!!! Dirty, evil, Robbing B's (own swear filter working!!)"

Name the show!!??

[MudRat]

Thanks for all that great advice, we are looking forward to getting them, i will kepp u posted!

[richo]

Watch out what there eating they tend to eat everything they can reach some of which might harm them.

[MuddyMike]

Once you have the goat shed sorted, go buy a decent pair of hoof shears. If the goats live on soft ground overgrown hoofs can be a real problem. If they are left to roam free the area must be fenced twice as high as for any other stock as boy can they jump. Fence posts should be strong and well dug in as goats love to rub up and down the fence/posts and easyly push them over. As others have said be prepared for them to try eating everything even the things that can kill them. If you intend milking ask again. If you intend breeding STABLE THE BILLY AT LEAST 1000M FROM YOUR HOUSE :-) Mike

[Jamin]

Make sure you have all the correct paperwork for DEFRA!