Goats are a great addition to any hobby farm, especially if you are looking for land management or for a profit. An interesting fact about goats is that they were among the earliest animals domesticated by humans, more than 10,000 years ago. Goats don’t need a large amount of land – two to ten goats can reside peacefully together on one acre of land. These top-down grazers will eat weeds, leaves, and grass depending on what they require. Goats are ruminants, meaning they have a four-compartmented stomach and chew their cud like cattle.
Goats are known for being naturally curious. They are quite agile and can climb and balance in unwarranted places. They are actually the only ruminant to regularly climb trees. Due to these traits, a very sturdy and secure fence is necessary. If a goat finds a hole or weakness in the fence, they will continually try and get out of it. Other goats will catch on and quickly start doing the same thing.
Because they were domesticated so long ago, goats try to communicate with people similar to domesticated animals like dogs or horses. They often look to human guidance when presented with an obstacle.
Female goats are called “does” or “nannies”. Non-neutered males are called “billies” or “bucks”. Neutered males are called “wethers”.
Goats can provide milk as well. Goat milk has risen in popularity thanks to its health benefits like reducing inflammation, acting as a metabolic agent, and is high in calcium. If you’re looking to keep goats on your hobby farm for producing milk, some good breeds are: Alpine, Kinder, LaMancha, Nubian, Oberhasil, Pygmy, Saanen, Spanish (Brush), and Toggenburg.
If you are looking to use your goats for meat purposes, consider breeds like the Boer, Kiko, Kinder, Savanna, or Spanish. The mean from young goats is known as “kid” or “cabrito” (in Spanish). Adult goat meat is known as “chevon” or just simply “goat”.
Not only are goats useful when they are alive, they also are needed when they have passed. Goat intestine is often used to make “catgut”, which is used as material for internal human stitches as well as musical instrument strings.
Goats are an absolutely wonderful addition to any hobby farm!
Picture: | Breed: |
---|---|
![]() | Alpine: Origin: France Coloring: Multiple Production: Milk Breed Note: Their milk can be used in as many forms as the cow milk we use today |
![]() | Angora: Origin: Turkey Coloring: Cream, white Production: Hair Breed Note: Single goat produces 4 to 5 kilograms of hair per year |
![]() | Boer: Origin: South Africa Coloring: Brown, white Production: Meat, breeding Breed Note: Noted for being fast growing |
![]() | Fainting (Myotonic): Origin: Unknown Coloring: Multiple Production: Pets, exhinbition Breed Note: Muscles freeze for about 10 second when the goat feels pain or panic |
![]() | Kiko: Origin: New Zeland Coloring: White, cream, brown, black Production: Meat Breed Note: Recognized for their superior maternal instincts |
![]() | Kinder: Origin: U.S. Coloring: Brown, white, black Production: milk, meat Breed Note: More muscular than other goat its size |
![]() | LaMancha: Origin: U.S. Coloring: Multiple Production: Milk, pets Breed Note: Easily recognized by their short hair unlike others |
![]() | Nigerian Dwarf: Origin: Nigeria Coloring: Multiple Production: Milk, pets Breed Note: Gentle and easily trainable |
![]() | Nubian: Origin: Great Britan Coloring: Multiple Production: Milk Breed Note: Able to live in extreme hot climates |
![]() | Oberhasli: Origin: Switzerland Coloring: Brown, black Production: Milk Breed Note: Mature goats weigh between 100 to 150 pounds |
![]() | Pygmy: Origin: West Aftrica Coloring: White, brown, black, gray Production: Milk, work Breed Note: Able to live in most climates |
![]() | Pygora: Origin: U.S. Coloring: White, cream, brown, black Production: hair, milk Breed Note: With good heath can live up to 14 years on average |
![]() | Saanen: Origin: Switzerland Coloring: White, cream Production: milk Breed Note: Largest of the goat dairy breeds |
![]() | Savanna: Origin: South Africa Coloring: White, shades of red and blue, black Production: Meat Breed Note: Noted for easy birthing |
![]() | Spanish (Brush): Origin: Spain Coloring: Multiple Production: Meat, milk Breed Note: Can range from 50 to 200 pounds |
![]() | Toggenburg: Origin: Switzerland Coloring: Shades of red and brown, white Production: Milk Breed Note: Calm, quiet, and gentile; great as pets |
Searching for angora goats in or near Oklahoma.
i interesting ur pig,chicken and goats for sale…
Looking for Nigerian dwarf dueling
Anybody know anyone in the US that would have a “Poitou goat”?
Checking what I have to do to list Goats for sale?
I’m trying to find out what kind of goats would be good to clear brush and then process them for meat.
I’m looking for a brown and white doe Pygmy goat
I would also know what I have to do to list goats for sale. I have two 100% New Zealand Kiko bucklings (not registered), 7 months old now, Kikos are a hardy goat, that are known for their high quality meat, are parasite resistant, and they will eat just about anything. $125 each. Located in Carthage, NC 28327 Please email for pictures.
Thank you,
Freddy Rieger
[email protected]
Weare looking for someone with a Kalahari red goats very serious about finding and buying must in the USA already they will be shipped to Hawaii for private party
Looking for Toggenburg doe kids in Southern Oregon or Northern California…
thanks for offering such a great site
I need a Nubian buck to breed with a doe in Bessemer Alabama will pay stud fee for his service
Looking for Nubian doe
I’ve moved back to NH from the west coast and had to leave all my horses, peacocks and goats behind, the product of decades of breeding Nubians. so I’m looking for new ones, preferably close to Raymond NH
American LaMancha Goats how much for a male and female
looking for registered savanna buckling in Fl
looking for a male and a female pgymy Not for milk or meat just for pet on my 4 acres Near florida panhandle, bay, walton, okaloosa counties. budget top $200 each