Pulled the trigger on a boehr billy!!

[eccentricfarmer]

Well the new goat has been picked out and approved of! [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] Born in May 2008. Have not seen out side of the crate was transported in yet. He is going to the neighbor's for a bit until i can finish his new pen for quarantine and then one for his 'girlfriends' [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]. Full blooded boehr with a little black gene mixed in for good measure so he can throw lots of colors. I guess that is worth more but i am learning yet.

This is totally exciting and something i have been working towards for about 15 years. Been reading up, but will take any and all offers of stories and info. We have lots of ethnic markets here for goat, so i am anticipating a good market, but will cultivate that soon enough. First things first.

Pinch me or tickle me, this is soooo exciting!!!!!!! [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ALBALD1]

Sounds like your pretty knowledgeable already. I know the boers seem to go pretty high in the local ads here. I think a quality buck is the key. I don't know a whole lot about goats. I've got just 3 mixed goats for brush control. However, based on what I've read, good quality meat goats can be a money maker. especially if you have a good local ethnic market. Good luck.

[eccentricfarmer]

Thanks, i will need it. Still cleaning the barn out, and creating their pens. I have a neighbor who has had them for a while and they are being VERY helpful and i have been reading as much as i can.

Still hoping for some others to jump in with forums etc for discussions, whining, venting, whatever!!

[weldingisfun]

Welcome to the Boer goat world! [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]
We have been raising them for nearly 10 years now. You seem to be doing the right things in getting ready to start your new endeavor, reading and talking to folks. Keep it up. The rest all comes from experience. One of your challenges will be different from ours and that is the weather. We are in Central Texas.
Visit our Website and read "Our Story". Best of luck to you.
http://www.walkinghgoats.com/

[eccentricfarmer]

Thanks for the 'hello' and the info. Do not have them on site yet, too many other things got in the way. Have the barn area almost cleaned out (first time on this farm in over 3 years!) and next will be the power for the lites and waterers (20 below can be here soon enough) and then the fencing. We have lots of coyotes here and a couple donkeys. Sold a donkey to the neighbor and now it is going after the goats there. Even going thru fencing to do it!! They are not happy. But the donkey did not grow up with goats or sheep and it is older and i had heard that is a concern, have to get over there and see if anything can be done. Going to the goat conference up here at the end of sept so trying to stay on track to get them here by the beginnning of next month.

On the flip side, one less bull in the pasture, yummy yummy!!!

[Bird]

When I had goats, I bought a young donkey gelding at the livestock auction and put him in with the goats. He could see and hear other donkeys about a quarter mile off. So he paced up and down the fence like a caged lion for a couple of days, then he attacked one adult goat, picked her up by the neck, slung her back and forth, and broke her neck. Then while I was chasing him, trying to catch him, he picked up a kid by one hind leg while he was running from me. He finally dropped the kid with no damage done. He went to the auction the next day.

A neighbor had 5 donkeys (one jack) in with his cattle. They were all pretty gentle, but he decided they ate too much grass and hay and weren't worth having, so he sold them. Then he lost so many calves, he went and bought another pair. Well, that jack attacked cows, chased them all over the pastures, bloodied a couple of them, etc. so he sold them, too.

Having a donkey in with your goats is a good idea if you get the right donkey.