Hello I live inside the city limits In Memphis TN. My father says that if it is allowed that I may keep a Small goat in his back yard for milking only. I do not know anything about goats but am working towards my first homestead. I am doing little things now so I will have the knowledge when I need it. Is this illegal? I need the smallest milking goat possible? how much room for one of them? How much time and care is needed for a small goat? Is this a bad idea? how much will one of them cost?

If anybody has some extra advice for me I need some. I want to learn to milk and I already make butter but am wanting cheese as well. Thanks Jennifer

-- Jennifer (jenniferthf@aol.com), February 28, 2002

Answers

what do you mean by "milk only"? and as small as possible,, you CAN milk a rabbit if you want too,, depends on how much milk you want. YOu'll have to find out if its ok to have a goat there first,, and see if you have the time to care for a milk goat,,ect

-- Stan (sopal@net-port.com), February 28, 2002.

First begin with your city or county ordanices. That is very important because there may be restrictions and if so you could risk having legal troubles down the road. I have read too many stories about folks who hadn't and wound up with headaches and heartaches.

As for the smallest goat possible, if you are only needing it for milk then maybe aNigerian or pygmy. Hope this helps.

Bernice

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), February 28, 2002.

After you check on city ordinances, be sure there are no restrictions for your dad's neighborhood specifically. If he is in a subdivision, there may be deed restrictions that apply.

Also, keep in mind that a smaller goat will likely give less milk. Another consideration might be how quiet the breed is. I keep Nubians, and hear that they are considered the noisiest(and I don't doubt it.) We had a Saanen/Alpine for awhile that was very quiet in comparison.

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), February 28, 2002.

I don't know. Goats are herd animals. I don't think it would be happy being alone. My pet pygmy had a horse for company or was it the other way around??

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), February 28, 2002.

Ya might want to check out this........(but goats need company...not just one)... little goats

(did I link this right?)

-- Birdlady (A-Birdlady@hotmail.com), March 01, 2002.

Jennifer,

Not to presume to lecture you on the obvious, but your goat will need to bear offspring before it goes into milk. It will milk a few months to maybe a year depending on the breed before it dries off, then it needs to be bred, allowed to gestate and deliver before the milk is available again.

You can purchase a milking doe but again that is a temporary state of affairs. I suppose you could sell the dry doe and purchase the next milking doe but that would be an expensive and troublesome way to go.

Mark

-- Mark in West Central Ohio (mark@marksykes.net), March 01, 2002.

If you want a smaller goat for milk, go Nigerian Dwarf, not Pygmy. Nigerians were bred to be dairy animals and Pygmys are meat animals. Also, be sure to check out teat size, as the smaller you go, often the smaller the teat size which can really hamper your milking, unless you are a very petite person with small hands yourself or you are planning on getting the kids to milk. As others have mentioned, you will need to breed your goat to get milk, but not necessarily every year in all cases. We breed our Alpine doe every other year and she keeps milking straight on through, finally dropping down to 2 quarts a day (from a peak of a gallon and a half) at about month 16 post freshening (freshening means delivering her kids). A Nigerian, of course, is going to start at a lower production level simply because they are smaller. Of course, you aren't going to have to feed as much either. How much milk does your family need? You may need two mini-goats, which would solve your dilemna of having a VERY unhappy, lonely single goat. One nice thing about the smaller goat breeds is that you can usually sell or find homes for their adorable offspring (especially buck kids) much easier than you can with the big breeds, if that is a concern for you (as opposed to eating the little buggers!). -- Good luck, Renee M. (Michigan)

-- Renee M. (icehorse@altelco.net), March 01, 2002.

Oops, forgot two last things I wanted to mention: Buy the best quality dairy animal you can. Buy from a farm or breeder who breeds for the characteristics you are looking for. This is especially true in the "little" breeds because there's another market for their stock besides dairy or meant animal -- the pet and/or show market. You want someone who is concerned with dairy production if that is your focus for the animal. Secondly, beyond the individual goat's genetics, what you put in, also determines what you get out. In other words, buy quality feed for your goat. The best bred dairy goat (of any breed) need to have good feed to produce adequately. -- Cheers, Renee M.

-- Renee Martin (icehorse@altelco.net), March 01, 2002.

Try a Kinder. They are crosses between a Pygmy Buck and a Nubian Doe. They are an excellent dual breed - milk and meat. You can do the crosses yourself. Check out these web sites. Good Luck

Merrythought Farm ,Barbara C. Fischer , HCR 62 Box 337 , Calico Rock, AR 72519, (870) 297-3905, e-mail address: cen12205@centuryinter.net http://members.aol.com/KGBAssn/ http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/goats/KINDER/

-- Bart (Dominickwb@dot.state.sc.us), March 01, 2002.

You've been given great advice. I agree with Mary that Nubians (and probably the dwarf Nubians) are the noisiest! I also raise only Nubians, I love 'em dearly but they are loudmouths. Never try to keep a single goat, they are a herd animal and would be miserable alone. How big is this yard you're considering? With small goats, it is likely you'd have enough room for 2.

If you are able somehow to get the go-ahead for a couple of goats, consider the fencing. You need a very good fence to keep goats in and dogs and children out. Good fencing is even more necessary with small breeds than the large ones. Also, small breeds are especially bad about jumping on things...like picnic tables, new cars, swing sets, etc. Make sure there isn't anything in the yard they can damage, or get hurt on.

You'll need a shelter and a place to milk, and probably a milking stand. These can be improvised, especially for small goats. How are you going to haul hay, grain and bedding, and where will you store it? These items need to basically be under lock and key, if a goat gets to it, you will have a deathly ill goat and some large vet bills. You'll also need feed and water buckets, a hay feeder (goats are wasteful!), hoof trimmers, and a pitchfork, rake, shovel and wheelbarrow for cleanup. How will you get rid of the manure and dirty bedding? You can compost, but that takes more room, more work. Will a few flies bother the neighbors? Your goat will need shots and you'll need a supply of basic medications. Goats take a serious time commitment. Are you willing to be there twice a day, EVERY day, even when you're sick, to feed, water and milk this animal? I suggest you read several good basic books on keeping dairy goats. Also, consider joining a good online dairy goat discussion group, there are many to choose from (check out yahoogroups). Much good advice can be had from these groups, saving you much grief and money. There are some very knowledgeable goat people on this forum, and there is a good group on Lusenet, "Dairygoats" where you can learn more about goats.

Prices vary. I usually consider $300-600 "average" for a decent (registered) dairy animal. Some pygmies might be considerably cheaper, Nigerians might be even higher. If you look around you can often find a good bargain. One of my very best does (registered!) cost me all of $45. DON'T buy from auctions. Read up on CL, CAE, and other diseases, and make sure what you buy has current, negative tests.

Please don't think I'm trying to discourage you from getting a goat. If you can work out the logistics, I think it's a wonderful idea. (I started out "homesteading" by raising rabbits in my backyard many years ago.) Just be knowledgeable about what you're getting into. BTW, many goats, especially if you choose your bloodlines carefully, will milk for years, eliminating the need to constantly rebreed every 10 months or so. Nearly all my does will milk for 2-3 years before they even begin to dry up, although they will milk less as time goes on.

If goats are not allowed within your city limits, consider practicing your homesteading with something else. Rabbits are a good backyard animal, they are quiet and need little space for themselves or their feed and supplies. Manure is minimal and can be easily composted or used in flower beds. You can learn a lot about general animal husbandry even keeping a few small animals, which will help you in the long run when you are able to have larger livestock. Good luck!

-- Lenette (kigervixen@webtv.net), March 01, 2002.

Just say OBERHASLI, please! Smaller than 135# Alpines and pretty brown.....

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), March 01, 2002.

Stan,

Good advice, but getting that bucket under the rabbit....

-- chuck in md (reply@mission4me.com), March 01, 2002.