The French Alpine has also become very popular as a pack goat for those mountain hikers who travel into the high country or far back in the timber. Their are whole Pack Goat Associations now. I do some prospecting so I'm looking into getting 2 Alpine weathers for pack goats. They make wonderful companions when out camping to.
Goats from the La Mancha region of Spain were among the those brought to the US by Spanish missionaries, and were most likely among the predominant stock used to develop the breed (and where they get their name). But the breed known today as the LaMancha is also believed to have Nubian and Alpine lineage, and was developed by Mrs. Eula Frey in Western US.
I'm trying to decide on a breed for cheese making. I'm not going to buy soon, but each breed has things that I don't like. The roman nose and big lop ears, and loudness....of the nubian. The smallness of the Nigerian, the lack of ears on the la mancha. Oberhasli is 4th in rank for protien and butter fat, and now finally a goat that looks better and isn't so small.
It can certainly can be a tough choice, as every breed has something to offer and something that can be viewed as a downside. Personally for cheese, I would choose the Nubian or Nigerian. The Nigerians may be small, but they produce lots of milk for their size, and small size means some aspects of keeping them is easier. But if you really are opposed to these breeds, and you can find them, you might want to consider the Guernsey. We didn't include it here because it can be hard to find, but they are great for cheese making. Butterfat content is in the 6-8% range, and if you have pasture all the better. Guernsey's can convert grass to milk better than most breeds so it can lower your feed cost.
You have to inform yourself about the Anglo-Nubian goats which do not originate exclusively from Africa. From Wikipedia: "The Anglo-Nubian is a British breed of domestic goat. It originated in the nineteenth century from cross-breeding between native British goats and a mixed population of large lop-eared goats imported from India, the Middle East and North Africa."
That's a bold move and I wish you the best! I'm also jealous! All of the Hobby Farm Guys still work their corporate jobs (which is why it is still a hobby), but they all would like to do this full time someday. Our advice: 1) Research, research and more research! Learn all you can about dairy goats and the business of farming. Learn your market and everything else you can absorb. 2) If you are new to dairy farming, try to start small and build up. Make sure it is what you want to do, and that you will enjoy it before quitting the job. 3) The extra money you will spend on high quality milk goats is worth it! Buy only the best stock and it will pay off in the long run. It is much more important when running a dairy versus raising goats for meat. Keep us up to date on how things are going. We're thinking of featuring hobby farms around the world in the future, and would love an excuse to visit New Zealand!
Zak from American Homestead described goats as drunk teenagers. After having a small herd of Nigerian Dwarfs for a while I totally get his point. I let then out to free graze quite often. Absolutely stupid move if your property isn't goat proof. Had a nice garden this year. Ya had is the operative word. One buck decided to sharpen his horns on my wife's cars driver door. I'm still catching hell and that was back in the summer. Everytime she goes to get in she sees her paint and goes off on me. I go over and cuss old Timothy out quite often. He contentedly listens to me while chewing his rumen. Dirty villain anyway 😡
I am looking into getting a goat because I finish off my meat chickens by soaking cracked corn in milk. Raw cow's milk is hard to find and very expensive so last year my neighbor sold me goats milk because they don't like it. Question: Can I get only one goat or do I need more than one; do they require a social group? I do not want to raise goats so no need for a ram.
The French Alpine has also become very popular as a pack goat for those mountain hikers who travel into the high country or far back in the timber. Their are whole Pack Goat Associations now. I do some prospecting so I'm looking into getting 2 Alpine weathers for pack goats. They make wonderful companions when out camping to.
We’ve been thinking about doing a video on pack animals. We know a few people in our area who raise & rent them out.
We have a herd of Nigerian Dwarfs. 9 does and 2 bucks. Wonderful little people and very funny to watch. To smart for their own good though.
Sounds like a great herd!
La Mancha goats are from Spain!
Goats from the La Mancha region of Spain were among the those brought to the US by Spanish missionaries, and were most likely among the predominant stock used to develop the breed (and where they get their name). But the breed known today as the LaMancha is also believed to have Nubian and Alpine lineage, and was developed by Mrs. Eula Frey in Western US.
I'm trying to decide on a breed for cheese making. I'm not going to buy soon, but each breed has things that I don't like. The roman nose and big lop ears, and loudness....of the nubian. The smallness of the Nigerian, the lack of ears on the la mancha. Oberhasli is 4th in rank for protien and butter fat, and now finally a goat that looks better and isn't so small.
It can certainly can be a tough choice, as every breed has something to offer and something that can be viewed as a downside. Personally for cheese, I would choose the Nubian or Nigerian. The Nigerians may be small, but they produce lots of milk for their size, and small size means some aspects of keeping them is easier. But if you really are opposed to these breeds, and you can find them, you might want to consider the Guernsey. We didn't include it here because it can be hard to find, but they are great for cheese making. Butterfat content is in the 6-8% range, and if you have pasture all the better. Guernsey's can convert grass to milk better than most breeds so it can lower your feed cost.
I've owned 3 breed and the Nubians win, hands down
Look for our new Spotlight series coming soon. We will be featuring the Nubian in one of our first videos.
You have to inform yourself about the Anglo-Nubian goats which do not originate exclusively from Africa. From Wikipedia: "The Anglo-Nubian is a British breed of domestic goat. It originated in the nineteenth century from cross-breeding between native British goats and a mixed population of large lop-eared goats imported from India, the Middle East and North Africa."
We stand corrected! Thanks for watching and thanks for the information!
I plan to quit my corporate job and involved into goat milk farming. How do I go about this? I live in New Zealand.
That's a bold move and I wish you the best! I'm also jealous! All of the Hobby Farm Guys still work their corporate jobs (which is why it is still a hobby), but they all would like to do this full time someday.
Our advice:
1) Research, research and more research! Learn all you can about dairy goats and the business of farming. Learn your market and everything else you can absorb.
2) If you are new to dairy farming, try to start small and build up. Make sure it is what you want to do, and that you will enjoy it before quitting the job.
3) The extra money you will spend on high quality milk goats is worth it! Buy only the best stock and it will pay off in the long run. It is much more important when running a dairy versus raising goats for meat.
Keep us up to date on how things are going. We're thinking of featuring hobby farms around the world in the future, and would love an excuse to visit New Zealand!
Zak from American Homestead described goats as drunk teenagers. After having a small herd of Nigerian Dwarfs for a while I totally get his point. I let then out to free graze quite often. Absolutely stupid move if your property isn't goat proof. Had a nice garden this year. Ya had is the operative word. One buck decided to sharpen his horns on my wife's cars driver door. I'm still catching hell and that was back in the summer. Everytime she goes to get in she sees her paint and goes off on me. I go over and cuss old Timothy out quite often. He contentedly listens to me while chewing his rumen. Dirty villain anyway 😡
😂 Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading this!
I am looking into getting a goat because I finish off my meat chickens by soaking cracked corn in milk. Raw cow's milk is hard to find and very expensive so last year my neighbor sold me goats milk because they don't like it. Question: Can I get only one goat or do I need more than one; do they require a social group? I do not want to raise goats so no need for a ram.
They are social and do not usually do well alone. Two is usually the minimum.
Thanks...@@HobbyFarmGuys
You guys should lose 40 lbs then make your video again
Only 40? You are too kind! 😜