Hello it's just me with more goat stuff,what can I say? I love goats! :0) I'm interested in Alpine and Pygmy Goat information stuff. One of the curiosities that hit me like a storm! Next thing I know I'm reading up on Pigs! :0) I mean,I have nothing wrong with pigs.I found it all VERY interesting! I recently moved to the country hmmmm about 6 months ago. And next thing we know we've got ducks,chickens,goats,possibly horses. We're even seeing about getting a cow. But that's a big MAYBE. So I guess it was strange to get hit with a curiosity for pigs!!! ;0) Anyway,if anyone knows where I can get Alpine and Pygmy Goat info or maybe even a club! That'd be cool! :0) Thanks All! Oh! And thanks for all of your VERY interesting goat stories!!!

-- Cosmic Country Girl (Cosmic@MoonScepter.com), January 22, 2001

Answers

Have you ever tried the ADGA? www.adga.org They have listings for breed clubs and local clubs (by state).

-- Nancy Bakke-McGonigle Mn. Sunset (dmcgonig@smig.net), January 22, 2001.

Alpine Talk over at egroups.com The mini folks all talk over on Goatworld.com evenings, just check the chat list. A local club is definetly the way to go! Most of us goat folks are very nice, well some are :) And if you want to talk Alpines, talk to Bernice on this site....Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh TX (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), January 22, 2001.

I just wanted to mention that I found pigs to be the easiest thing to raise. (Once you make a pen they can't get out of) They are cute when they are small and by the time they get big, they are obnious (sp)enough for you not to mind putting them in the freezer.

Did you ever hear about Nigeria Dwarf goats? That would take care of your milk and cute, little goats at the same time.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), January 22, 2001.

Hello there,

Got to type fast as i am having a problem staying connected tonight. Anyways... I raise alpines and live in VA. We have a small herd of 40... if ya call that small I am on Alpinetalk at egroups. We don't have a real active list right now, everyone is in the midst of kidding. We start here soon. But Vicki mentioned that and there is anothe rlist, but you have to be a member of Alpines International to join, its called the alpinesinternational list at egroups. if you are interested in joining I can let you know whom to contact. Gosh... you're brave, alpines??? they can be pretty snobby... but i love my girls and bad boys.! Also try the goat shed at msn communities.

As for raising pigs, we raise pigs off the goat milk for sale and our own use. Hope this helps. if I can be of any further help just yell. Oh... forgot about alpinehause (sp) too. I'll get you the addy. its not a list just a website devoted to alpines but other goats as well. Even ahs a goat milking stand plan there too, really neat site.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 22, 2001.

Whoa! That's alot of answers! I only posted this morning!!! :0) Thanks millions!!! I think I will check out those sites you guys gave me. Do you know if Alpines are good milk goats? *Thinks* Somebody may have told me.......But,I can't remember. Anyway,Thanks again!!

-- ~*~Cosmic Country Girl~*~ (Cosmic@MoonScepter.com), January 22, 2001.

AAAH! I forgot to ask! I was reading about 'Fainting' Goats today,they're SOOOOOOO cute! I looked into a ranch in Oklahoma,about 60 minutes from Tulsa. I'm kind of interested in all sorts of goats this week,ESPECIALLY Alpines and Fainting Goats! :0) Does anyone know if they are good milking goats? o.O Ummm I do think I won't get a Nigerian Dworf though. They're scary! ;0) I heard about the Goat From Hades. LOL Anyway Thanks AGAIN!

-- Cosmic Country Girl (Cosmic@MoonScepter.com), January 22, 2001.

As several have mentioned, there are several goat chats at E-groups (including Pygmies), and have wonderful advice. I'm curious why you seemed cautious about Nigerian Dwarves? I've thought about getting some in the future (I like the small size, and potential for blue eyes). If there's a negative feature to this breed I'm unaware of it...

-- Marsha (CaprisMaa@aol.com), January 23, 2001.

You're welcome for the help. As for being good milkers, Alpines are fairly good milkers, however, when you go to the ADGA site and compare the top production records between Alpines and the other breeds the Alpines fall short. For example the top alpine record was 6,000 pounds of milk versus the Toggenburg which was 9,000 pounds of milk). My top alpines will milk 2 gallons of milk a day at their peak. and they will only milk as well as you feed and care for them. In other words if you provide for them good food (grain and minerals) and hay and water they will milk better than on the back forty pasture. I have seen folks buy good milkers, get them home and then not maintain their feed program and wonder why they don't milk as well.

As for the fainters being good milkers, my friend raises fainters and they do not provide the amount of milk as a dairy goat does. Hope this helps.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 23, 2001.

Well,a friend of mine that goes under Cindy in OK had a Nigerian Dwarf named Marshmellow. The goat almost killed her and was so hateful even the people that bought her from them sold her. Small goats are usually sweeties,I think that one was a 'bad egg'. I've heard that Nigerians are usually really gentle and sweet.If you're thinking of getting some,it's up to you. :0)

-- Cosmic Country Girl (Cosmic@MoonScepter.com), January 23, 2001.

Here's a great site dedicated to goat information with dozens of links to private herd websites, resources, and email groups by breed:

www.cybergoat.com

As for milk, I'm a little biased, but I think the Nubians are best.

www.sundaycreek.com

-- Skip Walton (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), January 23, 2001.

Thank you all for your help!! It was really helpful! :0D We went to an Alpine Goat Ranch not far from where I live,and we got an Alpine! :0) Her name is Briana,she's pregnant,AND she has papers!! That's a big thumbs up! She's really gentle and kind. She loves our Pygmy Goats! Although we're going to have to sell one of them.Because she got mean. Oh! Hey! If anybody emailed me at 'Cosmic@MoonScepter.com' Chances are it didn't work. ~_~ So,if you did by chance email me.Can you please write again to the address below? Thanks! I will hopefully get my other email fixed ASAP. Thanks Again for your help guys!!

-- Cosmic Country Girl (StellarIceClouds@AOL.com), January 24, 2001.

"i've heardthat alpines are really nice goats but i mostly just wanted to say hi. my husband and i haave small heard of goats in arkasas. i am totally in love with the, Arent they just the greatest of all farm animals.i've been reading country side for about 10 yearsand we fit right in. I just got my computer about a week ago and here i am. two years ago i said i'd never own one of these things. oh well times change.hope you are all having a good evening sherry [chickadee259@yahoo.com

-- sherry mullins (chickadee259@yahoo.com), January 28, 2001.

Welcome Sherry! keep in touch and let us know how thing sgo. Hope to hear from you soon.

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), January 28, 2001.