Goats

[Ernie]

I'm hunting for goats. Currently I have no goats, but I am looking for probably 4 goats this year, of any good milking breed.

My problem is that I haven't the slightest clue as to how to go about finding local goats for sale. I search on the web and I primarily find folks selling their $500 registered Flop-Eared Garden Menace breed. I'm sure if you're a huge goat fan than you're thinking that $500 is quite a bargain, but I'm looking for:

1. Goats that give good milk.
2. Goats that won't die from the epizoobic in Illinois.
3. Goats that have a somewhat good nature.
4. Goats that like to eat my lawn so I don't need to mow.

Can any goat fans direct me towards some resources on how to learn more about goats, find goats in my area, and fill me in on any acquiring-goat-details that may be needed here?

[crazymomma]

I am in the same boat. I got 3 from a tip from the feed store guy. He knew of someone who would give me 3 for free if I promised not to eat them. The guy we hired to put up some goat fencing suggested I got to a livestock auction in a nearby town and said they usually go for about $35 each, so that is tomorrow's project. I am getting mine for clearing some very brushy snaky area on our land, so I am not too picky about breed.

[AlchemyAcres]

Personally, I wouldn't buy dairy goats unless they're vet checked and from a CAE free herd. You may pay more to begin with, but you'll save a lota heartache, headaches and money in the long run.

Fiasco Farm has one of the best general info goat sites on the net....
http://fiascofarm.com/

It's worth subscribing to the dairy goat journal.......
http://www.dairygoatjournal.com/

All the major breeds have associations with member listings, that's another good way to find reputable breeders.

~Martin