Hi! I'm new to this forum and in need of some assistance. My family has recently moved to a small farm and we are interested in purchasing goats for our fields sometime within the next few months. A friend of mine kept several brown goats in a pen, and I would love to locate similar animals. Unfortunately, I don't know what breed they were. They were a dark brown color with darker ears and a stripe down their spine, and they had a wonderful personality, almost like a dog's. Could anyone help me to find a breeder of similar goats in my area? Help in identifying the breed that I'm looking for would also be appreciated. Thanks!

-- Molly (nightdrgn@aol.com), December 26, 2001

Answers

Sounds like Oberhaslis to me. What type of ears did they have, Stand- up type, or hanging down. Sorry, but I don't know any breeders of them though.

-- Sharon in AL (sharonspaws@aol.com), December 26, 2001.

Molly please research goats alot before you buy. They need very sturdy fencing or electric, a shelter of somekind that keeps them dry with no drafts, a diet of good hay and browse, the right amount of grain daily, hoof trimming on a regular basis, a regular worming program and vaccinations . Goats are easy to care for and make wonderful homestead animals but please if your not educated about their needs please do so before you buy. Have fun, goats are great.

-- sherry (chickadee259@yahoo.com), December 26, 2001.

You could always call your local Farm vet near you and also the local 4H club even the SPCA might be able to help you and the feed store too. They would probably be able to head you in the right direction. Also "click" on Dairy Goat Journal...it's a goat magazine and you would probably be able to find some breeders near you. But first...as mentioned before. Realize what you really want these wonderful animals for. Just for keeping the weeds down or looking pretty out in the fields. They will do both but they are dairy animals and need care and love just as any living animals do. I do not sell my goats to people who want weed eaters. I advertize mine as Dairy goats...they produce milk for our family. You might have seen Toggenburg goats at your friends. You can purchase high pedigrees with papers or just grade goats or mixed breeds. All will be suitable for a family. Depends on how much money you have to spend and if you want to get into showing at goat shows. Just figure out what you want to do with them and how much time you have to dedicate to their care. Don't forget...milking twice a day...baby kids are born in the spring... bottle feeding some of the kids ???... vet bills...injections for shots...hay and feed costs. ..caretakers if you want to go on vacation with the family. A lot to think on but you will just love having their companionship !! They are truly a wonderful animals. Good Luck !!!

-- Helena (windyacs@npacc.net), December 27, 2001.