Goats-Nigerian Dwarf?

[Allie]

I'm thinking about getting goats, I'm on a small( 11/2 acres) and hilly plot. I was thinking of a dwarf variety that can still give me milk and cheese. I live in the Northern Rivers, Australia/sub tropics. Can anyone give me any advice on whether this is the right breed to go forand if so where tdi i find them? Any other suggestions would also be welcomed.

many thanks

Allie

[andrew curr]

probably need some electric fencing to keep out wild dogs !
there must be some tropically adapted goats there somewhere

[floot]

Hi Allie,

Goats are real characters and are fun and can be very hard work. I wouldnt be too concerned about which breed.

Have a look around the district there are sure to be goats and visit the owner. You may well be able to purchase those or he/she will put you in touch with a breeder. It is the local advice that you really need. Also dont be tempted to get too many, two goats is a good start. If and when you get goats start to train them immediately keep them enclosed in a smallish area and feed them at a regular time every day on something they like. For the first few days just put the feed in the same spot, they will find it soon enough.

They will quickly settle down to the sound of your voice so when you do let them out they will appear at the same time each day for their treat. I have 21 Damara Sheep that were quite wild and shy and it took about a month of this treatment to settle them down. Now I can sing out at anytime of night or day and they come running. I can lead them from paddock to paddock by voice and this includes them traversing the house yard. This came in very handy when late one night they all ran away from home and we found them about 500m up the road. I drove up got out and called them and they followed me back to the house.

Remember goats need good fences and shelter, they are not like sheep and can suffer badly from temperature extremes of hot and cold as well as the wind and rain.

Cheers,

[Allie]

That's what i was thinking as they are easier too move around too. We have has the occasional wild dod situation in the neighbour hood however chooks have been safe for the last year.

[Allie]

Thanks for the advice Mike.

Sounds like you have fun with them. I goes my thought for the dwarf variety was because I'm on a smaller plot they'd need less room. I have 11/2 acres and a fair part of that is bush. However starting talking to locals that have goats would be a great starting point. I like the training tips too