Myotonic/Fainting Goats

[sumpnz]

I've got close to 5 acres that still is about 60-70% wooded.  The wooded areas are pretty brushy with blackberries, salmon berries, vine maple, and the like.  I'm kind of tired of losing the battle with spraying the blackberries especially.  I've got my wife convinced that goats would be a good way to go for brush control.  What finally got her on board with that was the discovery that myotonic (aka fainting) goats can't jump so you don't need the uber-fencing to contain them that other goat breeds require.  We do need to get all set up for goats, including fencing and a shelter area, but that is planned to be our winter project.

What I don't know is where to get the goats for a reasonable price.  There's a couple breeders I've found from the registries but they either don't have a website, or they are only into the miniature myotonic goats (I only want full size since they'll eat more), or they're entirely too far away, or they want their goats to be pets (any animal other than dogs on the property is subject to becoming meat).  So if anyone knows of a suitable breeder that's reasonably close to Skagit County I'd appreciate it.

Also I think we're going to get a LSG dog, preferably an Anatolian.  Would it be better to get the goats before the dog?  I would assume so, but figured I'd ask opinions.  We'd likely get a puppy rather than an adult from a rescue.

[nwwanderer]

The dog probably needs to be raised with the goats to be most effective.  Best not to depend on the goats 'not jumping'.

[jackelope]

Too bad you missed fair season. You probably could have found some at the fair, at least breeders. Based on what I've seen with 4H stuff, you might try and track down your local 4H club and reach out to the goat clubs. Usually you'll find that those folks are in the loop with who raises what in your area.

[Boss .300 winmag]

If your just getting them for brush control, and you have predators in or around your property I would by cheap ones off Craigslist, or where ever.

Tuts me I loose at least one a year to coyotes, or Cougars.

https://skagit.craigslist.org/search/gra?query=goats

[carpsniperg2]

If you go here and go down to sep 30 9:34 am there is a free registered fainting billy listed.

https://classifieds.gorge.net/

[sumpnz]

If your just getting them for brush control, and you have predators in or around your property I would by cheap ones off Craigslist, or where ever.

Tuts me I loose at least one a year to coyotes, or Cougars.

https://skagit.craigslist.org/search/gra?query=goats

SWMBO is OK with myotonic goats.  Not other breeds.  Therefore random cheap goats off Craigslist will only work if they're also myotonic goats.

If you go here and go down to sep 30 9:34 am there is a free registered fainting billy listed.

https://classifieds.gorge.net/

Not ready to get them yet.  Hoping to be ready by spring time.

[sumpnz]

Too bad you missed fair season. You probably could have found some at the fair, at least breeders. Based on what I've seen with 4H stuff, you might try and track down your local 4H club and reach out to the goat clubs. Usually you'll find that those folks are in the loop with who raises what in your area.

My 10 year old is in 4H archery.  I'll ask around.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Too bad you missed fair season. You probably could have found some at the fair, at least breeders. Based on what I've seen with 4H stuff, you might try and track down your local 4H club and reach out to the goat clubs. Usually you'll find that those folks are in the loop with who raises what in your area.

My 10 year old is in 4H archery.  I'll ask around.

Do they shoot goats in 4H archery. 

[Machias]

I got a bunch off of Craigslist a few years ago, had to take the whole herd which was 17 goats and paid $150.  Kept only the premium fainters and bred them and they produced really myatonic babies.  They were pretty easy to sell and easy keepers and easy to keep in the pasture.  Very friendly goats as well.  Easy to catch when it was time to trim hooves.

[sumpnz]

I got a bunch off of Craigslist a few years ago, had to take the whole herd which was 17 goats and paid $150.

I assume that was $150 per goat?

[carpsniperg2]

I got a bunch off of Craigslist a few years ago, had to take the whole herd which was 17 goats and paid $150.  Kept only the premium fainters and bred them and they produced really myatonic babies.  They were pretty easy to sell and easy keepers and easy to keep in the pasture.  Very friendly goats as well.  Easy to catch when it was time to trim hooves.

chase until they faint

[jackelope]

$200 for the pair:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/grd/5809970908.html

Not a premium Myatonic, and he's a whether.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/grd/5811759963.html

[Machias]

I got a bunch off of Craigslist a few years ago, had to take the whole herd which was 17 goats and paid $150.

I assume that was $150 per goat?

Nope the whole bunch

[Roundhead]

Goats don't hop over fence line like deer.
But they will go through the fence if they can.
A 3ft hot fence is enough.
If you want a durable breed, go with Kiko.
Mine don't need any shelter. They just sleep and birth under tree canopies.
The only cover I worry about is just for their hay feeders because goats don't like wet hay.
And you don't need a lot of them if you want to sustainability.
One adult Kiko can control and live on 2 acres of brushy wooded land.