MarleysMama

I've never owned goats before, be we are moving to the midwest and plan to buy our own house and I'd like to get goats, both to reduce mowing (and carbon emissions) and for milk/cheese. I don't know where to begin with learning goat-care though. Any suggestions on books for a newbie goat owner? Good breeds?

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-Mama to 1 fur baby (purr) and 2 human babies (mew-mew)

hamesfarmer

I breed Nigerian dwarf goats, which many people have found to be great productive pets. I wrote a book, Personal Milkers: A Primer to Nigerian Dwarf Goats, just for people such as yourself, who are new to farming, and goat keeping in specific. It covers housing, feeding, kidding, milking, and has a great set of resources to look for further information on equipment, cheesemaking, soapmaking, etc. You can find it at BookPromo.

There is also a magazine about Nigerian dwarf goats, called Ruminations. You can learn more about that at Ruminations, Nigerian Dwarf Goat. Truth in advertising, I bought the magazine last year and am working to make it more helpful in keeping ND's practical. Best of luck with your adventure in farming. I love mine.

BrandonKS

I just have to say, I would love to have a dwarf goat

and hamesfarmer, the lulu link didn't work on your site to check out the book
here is one I found that works, looks like the same thing
Personal Milkers: A Primer to Nigerian Dwarf Goats

hamesfarmer

Thank you so much for telling me. I did a new edition a little while ago, and that link hasn't worked since then. Thankfully lots of people have been finding it, even without my help. I really appreciate your giving me the heads up.

Dwarf goats are great pets, and really helpful, productive animals. You really need two though, at least, as they need to be part of a herd. They're only defense is really "throwing the weak one to the wolves," so if there is no one else, they live in fear of being attacked. Let me know if I can help you find a couple. I own the magazine about them too, Ruminations, so I know a good deal of people in the breed.

hvnt

How much room do you need to have to own goats?

hamesfarmer

in most back yards. I have a herd of about 25 that share about an acre of pasture and one big stall in the barn. We're about to divide the herd into retirees and milkers, but for most people their herds won't ever get this large.

A couple of Nigerian dwarfs fit on a quarter acre easily, though most towns don't believe it. I know of several cities that have stretched their zoning requirements to allow ND's in town, because they generally are quiet and their manure is not an odor issue. Housing for two or three ND only needs to be a big dog house, or a garden shed.

You can fit 3 ND's in the space you'd need for one standard sized goat.