Purchasing a Dairy Goat:
When you think about purchasing a dairy goat, you need to decide which breed you want to raise. We highly recommend Nigerian Dwarf goats. They are cute and compact and they have a high percentage of butterfat in there milk.
You also need to decide which registry you would like to join. The largest dairy goat association is the American Dairy Goat Association (ADGA). So when purchasing your dairy goat, make sure they have registration papers.
You can not have just 1 goat! They are herd animals so they need to have a buddy. If you do not want two does, you can purchase a doe and then you can purchase a wether (castrated male) for a cheap price to keep your initial start up costs low. Wethers make great pets
Price Range for Dairy Goats?
The price varies based on genetics, showing scores, confirmation, milking tests and scores, and breeders. Your average registered diary goat starts around $500-$800 and can go up from there.
Housing and Fencing:
Housing and how much land a goat needs will vary and depends on several factors such as climate, forage available and how much a goats diet will come from pasture.
Goats will always need a shelter to protect them from rain especially since Goat DO NOT like to get wet. Protection from the heat and cold are also needed depending on the climate. A clean location is needed to milk your goat.
Protection From Predators:
Goats need protection from predators. There will always be predators no matter where you live. The domestic dogs can sometimes be the biggest threat.
One way to protect your goat would be to get a livestock guardian dog to always be with your goat.
Feeding/Hay:
Goats will eat leaves, grass and even bark off trees depending on what they have access too. Goats can be raised on a large pasture where most of their nutrients will be provided or can thrive in a small paddock or barn with feed, mineral and high quality forages. Goats will also need feed if they are lactating/nursing, young goats and does at the end of their gestation.
Hoof Care:
Goats hooves should be trimmed on a regular basis. They will need the hooves trimmed every 4-6 weeks. Hoof clippers are available at most feed stores.
References:
Howling Goat Farms 