Sailor and Pirate | Chickens in the Road

Jan
23

I’ve had some comments with questions lately about the number of goats we have and what we have them for. There are any number of reasons to keep goats. For pure enjoyment is at the top of the list, no matter the other reasons below it. Goat breeds fall in two categories–meat and dairy. You can milk any goat, but the butterfat is higher in dairy goats and they produce better (and longer). They are bred for milking. (Same as with beef cattle vs dairy cattle.) We have Nigerian Dwarf goats, which are a mini dairy breed, and Fainting goats, which are a smaller-than-standard size meat breed. Fainting goats have a genetic predisposition to faint when startled, and so are rarely actually utilized as a meat breed. They are generally raised as pets. So, I’m raising milk goats and pet goats. Keeping babies is dependent on how many bucks and does I want to keep on the farm. In order to keep babies from one buck, I have to have another buck (or doe) to breed them to (or be willing to “hire” a buck outside the farm).

Sailor (left, above) and Pirate (right) are Clover’s babies. I have two Nigerian does, Clover and Nutmeg, and Nutmeg is Clover’s baby, so any baby of Clover’s is not one I’d want to breed to Nutmeg in the future. Or to Clover, obviously.

So. Cute as they are, Sailor and Pirate (registered Nigerian Dwarf) are destined for another life on another farm, as the adored herd sires of somebody’s dreams. One of the hardest things about raising goats and breeding them to sell is the thought of saying goodbye. But in every goodbye is a new beginning, someone else who is starting their farm and has been dreaming of their goats. I haven’t tried very hard so far to sell Sailor and Pirate because I adore them, but Sailor and Pirate are for sale. If you’ve been dreaming about goats and are ready–and able to pick up goats in West Virginia–email me at CITRbusiness@yahoo.com.

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20 Responses
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1-23
6:43
am

I have been wondering about the goats. Thanks for the explanation.

glenda

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1-23
8:27
am

Yes such cuties even when they are all grown up. I hope you get TOP price for them. You deserve it!

holstein woman

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1-23
9:05
am

Such sweet wooly babies. I hope they find another good place to live!

texwisgirl

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1-23
9:14
am

I often get that about my “boys”. All of them are wethers. It started out that way because I had no idea about goats and ended up with two intact males – pygmy crosses. It didn’t take long to realize what billy goats did! So the vet took care of that and in the future all my babies are wethered. I would like to get a doe in the spring for milking but I need to make sure I’m ready for her. Not sure about having her bred – that’s down the road. But my answer is just for the love and joy they bring to my day. I can be upset, feeling down and go out and all six are fighting for my attention. During the summer while I’m drinking my coffee, I’ll have one right next to me waiting for the bottom of the cup. They might not make me any money but what I get from them is much more precious.

Teri

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1-23
9:39
am

They are very handsome goats……hoping some day to have my own.

Linda

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1-23
9:40
am

I try not to get attached to our cattle either, but sometimes it happens, especially with cows we’ve had for a long time, or the calves which we sell at a year old.
Suzanne

Window On The Prairie

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1-23
9:57
am

Oh I wish – I have always wanted goats, they are a hoot. Always my fav at the petting zoo as a kid. Course now I want llamas too.

lilac wolf

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1-23
10:39
am

One of our neighbors has goats. It is fun to go by the mini farm and find them across the street in the neighbor’s yard. A few nights ago one was what appeared to be in the head lights of the van, climbing a tree. It was actually on a log with it’s front on the tiny tree. They are out of the fence as often as they are inside their pen.

So much fun to watch!

Peggy

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1-23
11:01
am

We took in a goat when I was younger. (My mom always took in animals that needed a place). I don’t know what kind of goat she was. Her name was Betty and she ate everything. She was friendly and just a pet. Wasn’t a milking goat. Didn’t faint. Had a big belly so I always thought she was a pygmy goat. She was gray and small. I’m sure I have a photo of her somewhere. Anyway! I’ve never even thought of goats as anything other than pets. The idea of milking them is new to me. Someday I hope to have goats again, I do love them.

Jessica

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1-23
11:25
am

I wish I could have goats but I can’t. But I do wish for Pirate and Sailor a super, loving home and a happy, long life.

NorthCountryGirl

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1-23
12:39
pm

I hope they find a good home because they are so adorable.

Brenda E

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1-23
1:33
pm

Are you not disbudding your goats? I had someone do the baby I had this year but they aren’t willing to do it again which means either I have to do it, pay someone to do it, or not do it. Everything I’ve read indicates it is important to disbud Nigerians. I’d love to hear your experience on goats that aren’t disbudded.

Christy O

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1-23
1:52
pm

Oh I would love to have then they are so beautiful But I think our neighbors might have issues with that.
good luck Susanne I hope who does buy them keeps us posted.
ann

ann

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1-23
2:49
pm

ChristyO–I do think it’s important (at least for sale purposes) to disbud female Nigerians. Personally I prefer horns on the males, for looks and for handling! Sprite and Fanta are polled–naturally no horns. It appears that Fanta’s babies and Sprite’s baby are also polled as there are no horn buds yet, but it may still be too early to tell. I could feel the horn buds on Dr. Pepper at one week.

Suzanne McMinn

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1-23
5:42
pm

So are Pirate and Sailor the only goat babies you will be selling so far?
I’d get so sad selling babies. I’m sure they will find a great home though!

Mandy

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1-23
6:12
pm

Mandy, we will need to sell Sprite’s baby because he’s a boy. We will keep the girls and Dr. Pepper (to wether).

Suzanne McMinn

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1-23
8:11
pm

How are Rhett and Eclipse and Annabelle and the other sheep?

Yvonne

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1-24
12:20
am

Ah well at least you get to keep some of them
They are adorable, if I was nearby and had the property to own goats on I’d be all over them! I’m all the way across the world in Australia though :P

Mandy

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1-24
10:46
am

That explains a lot.

Ramona

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2-8
4:47
pm

I love your goats and goat stories. I have three nigerian dwarf boys – two wethers and one buck. Soon, I will be getting does of the larger variety (Nubian and Oberhasli) so I can try my hand at making mini versions. We have goats for dairy and fun. We have chickens and ducks too. Maybe, someday, I can have a cow.

Ilovethis

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