Suzanne said:

I want to open an Ask Suzanne topic because sometimes questions get asked in the forum somewhere and I am so scatterbrained that before I can answer it, something else happens around here and I have to go off and take care of it, then I come back and can't remember what topic the question was in!  I know recently someone asked about my camera but I have no idea where that was.

There's a whole post about my camera here:

http://suzannemcminn.com/blog/…..-internet/

So, if you ask me a question and I don't answer it, that means my brain bugged out, so when that happens, bring your question here!  (I'm almost POSITIVE I can find this topic again, LOL.)

Suzanne said:

You will love goats!  They are so smart and have so much personality.  We decided on Nigerian Dwarf goats because we knew somebody who had them, that simple.  And I am so glad!  They are wonderful.  If you want really fab milking goats, you might want larger goats, though, so it depends what you want them for.  I did milk Clover and will milk her again and am planning to milk Nutmeg, also, but a standard-size goat will give more milk than the tiny ones.  But the tiny ones are almost pet-like.  Clover isn't really any bigger than a medium-large dog and they're very easy to handle, good with children, and easy to keep in a small space if you only have a few.  The cost varies so you'll have to find out what the going rate is at the time you're looking (and also varies by breeder), but expect something between one to two hundred dollars for a purebred, registered Nigerian Dwarf.  (There are other breeds of goats that are less expensive–Nigerian Dwarf goats are, to some extent, an "exotic" breed.)  I've got a couple of goat books that are good with the basics.  They don't have a lot of specific Nigerian Dwarf info (because again, it's a sort of uncommon breed) but much goat info is the same for all breeds.  The best information is always hands-on from someone who has them and can teach you about them.  I learned most of what I know about goats from Pete and Missy, who we got our goats from.  They may have new babies for sale this summer.  They're trying to get their does pregnant right now.  (that's where Clover is right now.)

 

You'll need a secured yard for them, a shelter (a dog house will even do for Nigerian Dwarf goats as they are tiny), and hay for winter, grass if you have it for the rest of the year, and feed, which you can get at most feedstores.  You'll also need to trim their hooves about every 6-8 weeks.

 

I've been planning to do a So You Want a Goat blog post for awhile but haven't gotten to it yet!

Oh, please do a "So You Want a Goat" post.  I have been interested in goats for approx 2 yrs and am just now at the point where I can devote the time, only I'm quite scared that I won't care for them properly.  Could you recommend any good books that you have found helpful?  Also, my husband wants to have chickens, as we've got a large family and eggs are pretty popular around here! Can you let me know how you learned to care for them, too?  Any info would be MUCH appreciated! :}

Suzanne,

I am new here and I adore coming for visits! You are an amazing writer, and I am finding great inspiration through you.  Thank you.

I was wondering, how much property do cotswolds need?  I am hoping to have goats and sheep but I'm thinking it may not be possible.  We have just under 3 acres and I wouldn't think that would be enough.  I have a long way to go in researching sheep and goats so we won't be getting them anytime soon, but I thought if anything, I should find out if it's even a remote possibility first! :)

Thanks so much!