Picked up three La Mancha goats..

[steen]

I love goats! Miss having them but don't miss finding someone to milk them for me when I'm gone.  Really miss kidding the does out.  Ours always kidded after the afternoon feed.

[actionshooter]

They look like good size for 4 weeks. Make sure you keep bottle feeding those little guys.

[KFhunter]

I'd have to BBQ one of them 





I gotta get some feinting goats, pure intertainment there watching them fall over all the time 

Then when you want to eat one you walk out there and yell "BOO!" the goat falls over and you slice the throat - easy pezy!

You sure wouldn't want to try to pack with one though 

[MLHSN]

Interesting thread    I've been giving pack goats some serious thought lately.  In a year or two when we get a little bigger property (Lord willing) we were thinking about giving them a try. 

My biggest concern is, when we hike with them, what about predators?  They sure as heck aren't coming in the tent with us.  So I worry about predators coming along and snagging one at night.  I hear it's really not an issue but the thought keeps crossing my mind.

The one question no one has really be able to answer for me is how fast they can hike at a sustained pace. 30 min. miles? 40 min miles? 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

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[jackelope]

Interesting thread    I've been giving pack goats some serious thought lately.  In a year or two when we get a little bigger property (Lord willing) we were thinking about giving them a try. 

My biggest concern is, when we hike with them, what about predators?  They sure as heck aren't coming in the tent with us.  So I worry about predators coming along and snagging one at night.  I hear it's really not an issue but the thought keeps crossing my mind.

The one question no one has really be able to answer for me is how fast they can hike at a sustained pace. 30 min. miles? 40 min miles?

They're good for 7-10 miles a day with 25% of their body weight from what I hear. So a 200# goat will haul 50#. As far as predators go...there's not too much that can be done about it except leaving their horns on for some degree of defense. They'll grow some big horns. Bottle feed them so they bond solid to human contact. This will help keep them following you without a lead.
A couple good websites-
http://www.northwestpackgoats.com/
http://www.napga.org/

[bknilvr00]

My wife's two nubians would probably go for as long as we could. They stick to the "herd" like glue. And they dont shut up! If we let the horses out and they walk where the goats can't see them, you'd think they were being murdered. It's ridiculous. And I'm not even worried about predators of any kind, only rhodies.... Stupid goats tried to kill themselves with one. Nothing like finding a stall covered in green cud slime with two of the saddest looking goats ever. *shudder*

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[MLHSN]

Are Rhodies posionous?  Good thing we don't have to many East of the Divide. 

Ya, I knew they can hike a ways.  I was just wondering how fast.  I read somewhere that llamas aren't suppose to go faster then 40 min. miles or else the can get overexcerted. 

Can they keep up with horses and a mild walk?  I'm usually hiking 20-30 min. miles so I'm just curious if/how much I would have to slow down.

[saylean]

I'd have to BBQ one of them 





I gotta get some feinting goats, pure intertainment there watching them fall over all the time 

Then when you want to eat one you walk out there and yell "BOO!" the goat falls over and you slice the throat - easy pezy!

You sure wouldn't want to try to pack with one though 

LOL...you and I think the same...I told my girl I couldnt get fainting goats (although I wanted to) cause all I would do is get drunk and run around chasing them like homer simpson or something....

Yes, rhodies are poisonous, but they love eating them....kind of like twinkies for humans.

[actionshooter]

Are Rhodies posionous? 

 YES, keep them away from Rhodies!
  I have a fast pace when hiking and could wear the guys out by hiking too fast. They are great for some circumstances but they weren't the "end all" for hunting. It all depends on your style.

 After having goats for 5-6 years I decided to go goat-less for a while. I do plan on going with the goats again in a few years when I am older.