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We would eventually like to get a couple of goats. Mostly for pets/grazing on the property. We want to be responsible animal owners so I am doing as much research as I can before actually getting one or two.
I've done some reading up on the pros and (mostly)cons of having goats with horns. Because we have children and a couple of dogs, it sounds like we will want goats without them. However,if we happen to acquire a horned goat, where to we take it/who do we call to get it dehorned/debudded? And what is the approximate cost?
Of course since there is a YouTube video for everything nowadays, I did see an instructional one on how to dehorn a goat. No thank you!
Thanks for any advice!
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if you are after pets you would probably be able to acquire a male for almost nothing. many of the farmers will neuter/dehorn for you. has to be done right away. just remember, their horns are their only means of defense so you need to plan a heavy fenced compound for them so they don't become dog meat. if you raise them from babies their horns shouldn't be a problem for your kids or any dog who doesnt chase them. the only downside i know is if you plan a widely spaced fence they can get stuck. dels has goat fencing that is 4x4 squares so even that is not a problem.
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Disbudding needs to be performed as soon after after birth as possible, and is a relatively simple procedure that can be performed by someone experienced in animal husbandry, with the right tools. lquade is absolutely correct that a farmer will likely do this upon request, if he/she has not already done so. I have never paid for it as a service, so I can't comment on the potential cost. Dehorning is another matter altogether. While dehoring can be done at any age, the risk of complications, such as maggots infesting the sinus cavity or a bacterial infection, increase greatly when compared to disbudding. Dehorning is not an insignificant procedure, and should be performed by a large animal veterinarian.
In your situation, perhaps I could recommend against goats altogether, and suggest hair sheep instead. It would likely produce an experience much more akin to your expectation than having goats would. Goats make reasonable livestock, however, hair sheep make better pets. They can be kinder gentler animals than goats. In my observation persons who get goats for pets are less satisfied than those instead choose hair sheep. Sheep are far easier to raise. They are less destructive; as in they are less likely to tear up a fence, or say chew on things like equipment.
As livestock, goats make more money than sheep - especially hair sheep. If you were looking to produce milk, or raise a herd for meat, I would say goats are by far the way to go. But, in the short statement of your intent, it doesn't sound like that is what you are after.
Just food for thought.
ETA - omitted word
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I forgot to add, you can't have just one or two goats or sheep. Small ruminants, such as sheep, goats, and alpaca are all social animals. The general practice is to have no less than three in the herd, so that a sufficient flock social structure will exist. Sometimes, the addition of other animals, such as dogs or horses, can help. However, it depends on the herd, and to a degree the individual animal. Often enough these other animals will not be accepted as a part of the flock, so don't count on it. These small ruminants will not thrive well without the structure of a sufficient flock. Goats and sheep raised individually do not flourish. Additionally, solitary goats and sheep do not usually build the friendly bonds with their caretakers that I would imagine that you are hoping for.
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lquade and The Saints, thank you for your replies and all your feedback! While I felt like I had Googled to death the topic, you both brought up a lot of information I had yet to read. I have a lot to consider and think about before we actually acquire any goats (or hair sheep!)I appreciate the time you took to respond!
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one more quick comment, you said grazing... if you want grazing, then sheep are your answer. goats aren't grazers they are browsers and will eat almost anything you don't want them to eat. I have had both goats and sheep, and agree for a novice, hair sheep would be the better choice (hair sheep means shorter hair, you don't have to sheer) but goats are more comical. And sheep will stand out in rain and won't care, while goats need a bigger under cover area as they hate the rain....
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We don't dehorn any of our goats. We breed for polled (naturally no horns) stock.
If you're looking for grazing pets, may I suggest bottle fed sheep. Like lquade said the goats will eat and destroy all your fruiting and ornamentals first, then the trees (they will eat the bark off of trees you thought were too big for them to eat, eventually killing the tree), then the grass, and then lastly the weeds. The exact opposite order you were hoping for. They will constantly try to get over, under, or through your fence. They will climb equipment or trees to get over fences. Sheep just stick their head down next to the ground and eat whatever is there. You mentioned having kids, goats jump up on people just like dogs do, however unlike dogs it is very very difficult and in some instances impossible to train them not to. They will try to jump up onto laps and even shoulders, especially when they are young.
Another good grazing pet option is geese. They don't go after the tall grass but once it's mowed or weed whacked they do a good job of keeping it down. They are mainly herbivores and don't generally eat slugs or bugs like chickens and ducks but they will chase mongoose and other small animals away, especially if they are nesting.
In Puna Both goats and sheep will require strict deworming and ectoparasite regimens (some have to be injected), and most goats will need regular hoof trimming and occasional treatment for hoof rot. They will need regular mineral supplementation and goats will need extra copper. Sheep are the opposite with copper so if you mix them you can't let the sheep get the goat minerals because it's toxic. Goats are a lot of work and are expensive to maintain and you'll probably have to buy supplemental food to keep them healthy. Sheep are a little easier. Geese require little care and forage all their own food.
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terracore, thank you! It really does sound like sheep (or geese!)is more of what we are looking for! Appreciate all the info!
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