Goats

Baby Goats for sale! Click here for more info.

Goats are affectionate, relatively inexpensive to care for and are tolerant of heat and cold. Goats are also very active and agile and their mix of intelligence and curiosity can entertain onlookers.

The females are called does; those who have been breed are Senior Does and those planning to be breed are Junior Does. The males are called bucks. Neutered males are known as "wethers". Offspring are referred to as "kids" and their birth is called "freshened". Goats live an average of 8 to 12 years.

Two dairy goats can produce enough milk for a family of six. More goat's milk is consumed internationally than cow's milk, although not in the United States. Those who are lactose-intolerant can often digest goat's milk, which contains smaller fat gobules and more digestible protein than cow's milk. Goat's milk should not be homogenized by mechanical means, but allowed to homogenize naturally. Mechanical homogenization breaks down fat globules, allowing enzymes to be released that can damage intestinal walls and enter the bloodstream, elevating cholesterol levels.

Dairy goats are generally raised for milk and companionship. Pygmy goats are primarily bred for show and also, companionship. They tend to be more affectionate and easier to handle and for these reasons, are often preferred by 4-H clubs to raise.

Nigerian dwarf goats are the only true miniature dairy goat, according to the Nigerian Dwarf Goat Association. They are an excellent choice for those who may have limited time or space to tend these animals. Nigerian dwarf goats tend to have gentler dispositions than other dairy goats, especially those that have been bottle-fed.

To learn more about the different types of goats and their characteristics, please click here to view our comparison chart. Please stop by our Photo Gallery to see more pictures of our goats and their offspring!