Right now most of our herd consists of Nubians. We do have some Alpines and have crossed them last fall to produce a Nubian/Alpine cross. That way we will get the best of both breeds since both have their advantages.

Because goats are naturally inquisitive animals, adequate fencing is a must. Electric fences work well with at least three strands. We use six strands to enclose our bucks and even in breeding season they don't come close to the fence. It does require training of new animals by putting their nose to the fence and letting them experience the shock. Otherwise they might spook and jump right through it. Electric fencing also has the advantage of keeping out unwanted animals.

Our farms use a diet consisting mostly of dry hay, grain, and pasture. Some of the farms feed corn silage when they have a fresh local supply.

Goats milk is naturally ultra-moisturizing. Goats milk soap contains capric, caprylic and capronic acids and natural occurring triglycerides. Otherwise known as good fats. The result is a pH level that is good for healthy human hair and skin, while commercial soap can dry out the skin to the point at which it feels taut and itchy. The oil glands are forced to counteract, overproducing oils in an attempt to rebalance the pH of the skin.

Some Irish pucks are also sent abroad. These are valuable for breeding. One puck is usually kept in a central village and the females are brought from the surrounding area to be served. In this way the purity of the breed is preserved.

Our goats are fed grass and alfalfa hay along with a grain ration especially designed for dairy goats. Minerals are fed free-choice.

Boer goats are a domestic breed developed in South Africa for meat. They are much larger and heavier-framed than feral goats with billies weighing up to 120 kilograms. Animals have been imported into Australia to be crossed with goats derived from feral herds to produce a hardy goat that is suitable for the export goat market.

Our goat's diets are forage based. They mostly eat hay & hay crops (eg. hay silage), and grains like corn, barley and oats. Some producers may also feed their goats minerals for a balanced diet.

Yes, goats will get along with a variety of other animals such as cats, chickens, ducks, geese, miniature horses, miniature donkeys, llamas, sheep, and some dogs, etc. It mostly depends on their personalities and at what age you introduce them to other animals.

It is untrue that all goats smell. Female goats kept in good condition will smell of nothing other than clean straw and sweet hay. As their droppings are of a dry nature they are far easier to keep clean than cows and other farm animals. Uncastrated male goats do smell. Male goats kept for stud purposes have a very strong distinctive smell, especially during the mating season, (August to March).

If goats are brought up correctly and disciplined from an early age they never develop any bad habits. Goats will butt each other, this is quite natural and normal as they develop an order of dominance in the herd. However if corrected from an early age they never butt humans or other animals. A goat that has been teased may butt people as part of their "play", which may start as kids, when it is no problem. It can be a problem if this behaviour extends to adult age and size.

bull; There is actually quite an extensive history of goat removal on the Island by various agencies on Catalina dating back to the 1860s, long before there was a Conservancy. The earliest confirmed record of an established goat population on Catalina is 1827. In the 1860s during the Civil War period and a mining boom on the Island, the goats were used for meat and also sold to mainland southern California.

We strive at T4 Ranch to educate our buyers as to the potential of an animal and try to match the buyer to the goat that he needs and desires. We have for many years tried to breed a goat with a strong immune system that can survive tough conditions as well as breed for supreme quality show stock. Whether a person is looking for show stock, foundation breeding stock or commercial breeding stock, they usually select the same buck or doe because everyone wants the very best they can buy.

This is left entirely up to the buyer. We recommend that all Fullblood Boer Goats be registered and there are three associations that can handle this for you. It is merely a tracking system that helps you to sell your offspring and helps you make decisions regarding bloodlines, which to keep and which to sell. We don't feel that papers guarantee the purity of the breed, however, it becomes a must if you intend to show your animals in the many sanctioned shows across the country.

The goats all receive the best of care in their new homes. In Africa they find the climate very comfortable. As the temperature there is similar to a warm Irish summer all the year round they do not find it too hot. They are also well fed and well looked after because their new family regards them as being worth their weight in gold.

One place that has become very important to Bóthar is the beautiful 200-acre farm of Stephen and June Powell near Birr, Co. Offaly. Here the newly-weaned goats are reared on a voluntary basis and with much care by Stephen and June until they are old enough to make the journey abroad.

Most are Saanens; there are some Toggenburgs and Alpines. These three are originally Swiss breeds. There are also some Anglo-Nubians, an African breed, which are in demand in Africa to cross with Saanens. The first generation of such a cross has a "hybrid vigour" that leads to bigger, stronger animals and increased milk yield.

April 1, 1997. The basic story of its origin was that Phillip, while in his cups, suggested to jon that he should write a comic strip. jon agreed. Well, let's see. Let's look at the main characters of not only Goats, but also of Sluggy Freelance and User Friendly, two other major geek comics. However, a better mapping can be made from Goats to a more current group (besides, Lori is no longer an active part of the cast...).

Yup. Celebrate the birthdays with monetary gifts. Ben Franklin bills are just another way of saying that you care.