Originally posted by: DrPizza
Originally posted by: HotChic
Why did you choose fainting goats over other breeds? When we get our house built we'd like to get goats but we're looking at La Manchas or La Mancha crosses.
They're very friendly and exceptionally easy to keep. They can't jump over fences like other goats can. Plus, they're an unusual breed of goat (as well as relatively rare.) They're listed in the American Livestock Breed Conservancy (we're members of the ALBC) as "threatened" - meaning there are fewer than 5000 in existence.
ALBC 3 or 4 years ago, no one heard of them. Now, thanks to shows like Dirty Jobs, and other clips on animal planet, their popularity is growing. (i.e. hopefully we turn a decent profit in a couple of years.)
Plus, at first, we really weren't into the idea of dairy goats. However, last summer at a livestock auction, my wife elbowed me when she noticed a nubian (or possibly nubian cross) goat going up for sale (just a little guy). She said something about wanting to try to make goat cheese and goat milk soap, so I said okay; bid, nodded a few times, and won the auction. A moment later, she said, "is that a male or female, I don't want a male." "Male." "I told you I wanted them for milk, why would you bid on a male?" "Uhhh, you DO know how things work, don't you?" 10 minutes later, I had a female nubian as well. Both are doing great, both are friendly... super friendly... the female is tooooo friendly. i.e., you know how some dogs like to jump up on you? Imagine 80 pounds of goat running up to you, full speed, and jumping on you from behind to say hello. Fortunately, the male isn't quite so hyper. (he's at least 120 now)
There is a chance that in the future we might get some LaManchas or more nubians after we build another barn. (Maybe this summer, more likely next summer)
