Hi,
Goats are probably a bit too large for the average backyard but for the micro-farmer on acreage, they are an excellent provider of milk and meat.
Boer goats (originally from South Africa) are bred specifically for meat. One of our clients operates a small Boer goat stud. Anniefish from Warwick also keeps them.
Gary
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
www.microponics.net.au - for candid dialogue on integrated backyard food production.
www.urbanaquaponics.com.au - the home of the Online Urban Aquaponics Manual.
A lot better than sheep, too. (IMO, of course.)
Boer goats are ideal for meat, but not for milking: For milking its better to go with Saanen, Toggenburgs, Nubians or Alpines.
Fencing can be a bit of a problem sometimes - (there's a saying among goat owners that any fence that won't hold water won't hold a goat either) - though if our Boer gets out she always heads straight for the back verandah.
I prefer Nubians as an all purpose goat. If enough land is available, two nubian does and a boer buck (or rented or borrowed boer buck stud) is a great combo.
The half boer half nubian kids make a great meat goat, and you keep your dairy does milking.
Hi,
For our purposes, using a boer buck over a milking breed doe probably makes the most sense.
We'd like to make our own goat's milk cheese, too.
Gary
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
www.microponics.net.au - for candid dialogue on integrated backyard food production.
www.urbanaquaponics.com.au - the home of the Online Urban Aquaponics Manual.
I have problems with the rooster running into me. A goat may be pushing it.
But if I had the space they would be great for the backyard. Sheep manure is one of the best for the garden. I expect goat to be similar.
Get a goat and you can probably throw away your television. Goats are better entertainment.
They'll also test your fences and get into trouble at every opportunity.
The really good thing about goat bucks is that they can do some tricks that will put a look of disgust on your mother-in-law's face that is just priceless.
......and they stink!
Gary
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer
www.microponics.net.au - for candid dialogue on integrated backyard food production.
www.urbanaquaponics.com.au - the home of the Online Urban Aquaponics Manual.
The amazing hip twist, pee in the mouth, lip curl followed by a grunting leap into the air is interesting for sure.
That strange rancid sweet and sour smell is mostly from his own urine soaked fur. Hard to describe that kind of stink.
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