Hi everyone. First I would like to thank all of you who have answered my questions about goats. I have done so much research the past 2 weeks and have been very busy on the goat barn and run. I only have the manger and milking platform to make and i'll be ready. I spent all day running from grain store to grain store to hardware store to grain store (PHEW)

I am getting a nubian who is pregnant and a nubian X alpine that may be pregnant. They are coming from a dairy a few miles from me. The dairy is selling them because they want to focus on registered dairy goats and the 2 that i'm getting aren't.They are giving me all vet paperwork and milk records on the goats.

I believe that i did a real good job with the barn and run. I decided to go with electric fencing because of the uneven groung. The post were very hard to get into the ground because of rocks but i finally got them in place. It actually looks like a farm now.

I just wanted to thank you all for the information each of you provided me with and to let each of you know that for each breed of goat you suggested i did research. I went with the goats i'm getting because of their availability (goats seem to be in short supply in my neck of the woods)

Thanks again to you all!

George

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), November 23, 2001

Answers

Response to i'm getting my goats on Sunday

How exciting george.........sounds like you have really researched and now have a plan. Please keep us posted. When will your new doe kid?? It sure takes me back to my beginning with goats and thanks for sharing.

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), November 23, 2001.

Response to i'm getting my goats on Sunday

Hi Diane. The nubian is due in March and if the other goat is pregnant she will deliver in April. I'm really excited about getting dairy goats and i think i'll have a lot more question for you all in the future, maybe as time goes on i'll be able to help someone out with a question.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), November 23, 2001.

Response to i'm getting my goats on Sunday

Hey George, way to go!!!! lol You sound a lot like me when I got my first goat. I wasn't as ready as you are, since my first came as a gift. But, it sure makes a difference to a farm to have live animals on it. Now, get you some good boots that will keep your feet dry and are easy to get into. lol You will be in and out of them often. I wish I could be a fly on the wall when you bring your sweeties home. I predict you will have a sore face from smiling so much. lol Enjoy and keep us up on the progress at your farm. By the way, have you named them yet? Iris

-- Iris (Sar_India@msn.com), November 24, 2001.

George, I'm sooo proud for you!! You'll never be more excited than today-except when they kid!! I had 2 born this morning-I've been grins all day!!!susie

-- susie yeager (susiemby@samlink.com), November 25, 2001.

No babies here till March Susie, might have to come over an see them! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), November 25, 2001.

congrats in advance! we got ours a month ago (no preparation, thank you....i learned to do fencing fast, and learned to do it with two people in the future). we were going for what was available, and i thought i was getting saanens, but wanted a lamancha. well, i came home with a three year old lamancha and 8mo old nubian/alpine mix. They are doing beautifully, love their home and the the quietness and love us, and we love them! We named them Aurora (after the northern lights out the night we brought them home, which was our daughter's birthday too) and Ivy. I wish I could bring them in the house to hang out....

-- marcee (thathope@mwt.net), November 25, 2001.

I picked up the goats today. I went with a nubian who is due in Jan. I couldn't resist her, the farm had to of her babies from last year and they were beautiful. I would have gotten them except for they weren't for sale. My new nubians name is "Frisby" i think they must have named her that for her ears?She usually has 2-4 kids. I was going to get a nubian X alpine but they had a togg that i couln't resist, her name is Rudabegga I have no idea why they name her that but she's keeping it. she usally has twins or triplets. she is due in April. I have not milked in 25 yrs but found that it was like riding a bike.

It was nice to go to a place and have every question answered. if they didn't know the answer of the top of their heads they went for the note books.

The only thing i could find wrong was the hooves were a little over grown. The man i bought the goats from is a ferrier and you know how it goes when there's something at home that needs to be done after you've been doing it all day. I trimmed their feet as soon as they got settled in.

I also found that the toggs teats were a little small but i managed o.k. Tonight is the first time since i was 16 that i have had fresh milk. The fresh milk is so much tastier than store bought. Even my partner who has never had fresh milk got up the nerve to try it. said, "mmmm that is good, taste sweeter and richer than store milk."

I am so glad that we got the goats.

I had everything done except for the milking stand and after tonights milking i decided that i am building mine tomorrow.

I feel like it is offical now, we can now call our place a farm.

Thanks again, to all of you.

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), November 25, 2001.

Congratulations, George! I served pumpkin pie made with goat cream, marinated feta (olive oil, basil and garlic) on herb bread, and goat milk to the children when the family came for Thanksgiving. A couple of the children refused to try any goat stuff, but everyone who did asked for more. I have a waiting list for feta and farmers cheese, both of which are painfully easy to make. Watch out, this can become a whole lifestyle thing! I have a doe due in 2 weeks and I can't wait. Enjoy your girls!

-- Sheryl in Me (radams@sacoriver.net), November 25, 2001.

Congrats on the goats!

I just wanted to say that I've learned so much by reading and posting to this group. I've found a Lamancha breeder nearby through one of the links that somebody posted here. I contacted them and they invited me over to see their goats and pick their brains. I'm so excited.

Sheryl, though I've bookmarked many sites about cheesemaking, would you care to post your feta recipe? This is one cheese I really want to make.

-- pc (jasper2@doglover.com), November 25, 2001.

Yeah George!!!! I know how you feel. When I closed the gate on the goat barn for the first time and looked back at my tiny flock, I too dubbed my place a farm at that moment. It really feels soooooo good to say that. You are going to have so much fun. Iris

-- Iris (Sar_India@msn.com), November 26, 2001.