i can do it and i will!

[Mary Terry]

Goats benefit from being in a herd, they require regular hoof maintenance (farrier work), regular deworming for parasites, annual vaccinations, clean feed and water, and shelter in rough weather. You can google "how to care for goats" or something similar to read what experts say.

We had a goat named Blue Boy when I was growing up. He had a harness and pulled a little wagon that we sometimes rode in. He mostly just hung out in the pasture with the cows. I can't remember what he died of - maybe just old age - but he did live a long time.

 

[velociraptor]

i dont care im going to do what makes me hapyy

What you think makes you happy and what actually makes you happy may turn out to be entirely different things. Given the expense involved, I suggest dipping a toe in the water to test it before diving in. Look for vacation experiences where you can spend time alone with goats. They exist. See how much you like it after they keep eating strips off your favourite shirts (yes, I've experienced this).

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

What you think makes you happy and what actually makes you happy may turn out to be entirely different things.

and the only way to find out is by doing it.

 

[velociraptor]

and the only way to find out is by doing it.

But if you can read a chapter or two of a book for free or at lower cost to see if you like it before buying the whole series...

 

[Shevek]

and the only way to find out is by doing it.

I think that my dad did the things he was told would make him happy, and concluded that he must be feeling happiness.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

But if you can read a chapter or two of a book for free or at lower cost to see if you like it before buying the whole series...

Agreed. But research is not always the right choice. Depends on the person, place, time, situation.

If I’d read all the books before starting my adventures, I would never have gone anywhere. There are several authoritative books on bear attacks. Spine-tingling. I’d never go outside.

 

[Grondhammar]

I got to work on a reservation for a summer while I was in college, and my job was taking care of goats and sheep--herding them too. I learned very quickly it wasn't the romantic thing I had in my head. It was the best experience I have had--it was also dirty, exhausting, and did not in any way come naturally...as I thought it would. I would say, if you are interested in having a goat and living on the land--volunteer first, go to a local farm and offer to help with the day to day. See what it is really like first.

Seconded. Having grown up in Montana, and having dealt with goats that eat all the wrong stuff (goat joke: "when did a goat ever eat the right stuff?") and gates that don't shut and fence that always, always, always needs fixing, and a lot of other livestock issues...

Got on a roll there. Anyway. Learn what you're getting into. It comes with its moments, and can be fulfilling. But a lot of it is just hard work.

 

[velociraptor]

If I’d read all the books before starting my adventures, I would never have gone anywhere.

I hear you, but what I am saying is before buying a goat and some land, go to a vacation spot that has goats and solitude and rent a cabin for a week and spend it with one of their goats. I wanted to have chickens in my backyard for fresh eggs and thought it was a great idea until my wife had me spend a weekend at a place with the wretched things on the loose. Didn't want chickens after that and am very grateful I didn't put a lot of dosh into it.

 

[Rodafina]

Your idea sounds nice, but you don’t sound ready. Of course, it can be frustrating to have a lot of people telling you not to do something you want to do. But, solve the problems before you, save some more money, and do this the right way so that you and any animals you keep can be healthy and content.

Impulsivity could crush this idea.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

I hear you, but what I am saying is before buying a goat and some land, go to a vacation spot that has goats and solitude and rent a cabin for a week and spend it with one of their goats. I wanted to have chickens in my backyard for fresh eggs and thought it was a great idea until my wife had me spend a weekend at a place with the wretched things on the loose. Didn't want chickens after that and am very grateful I didn't put a lot of dosh into it.

I hear what you are saying and I think there is a viable option of learning by jumping in. Think of this, maybe you don’t give yourself time to learn, adapt and enjoy on a weekend. If we only did what was immediately enjoyable, our lives would be pretty small.

You can hate an activity when you start it, and learn to love it.

 

[velociraptor]

You can hate an activity when you start it, and learn to love it.

That's exactly what they said about my last swimming lessons. I had a heart attack in the deep end. Still don't like swimming.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

That's exactly what they said about my last swimming lessons. I had a heart attack in the deep end. Still don't like swimming.

Of course there are times when you still won’t like it. But you don’t know until you try it. Of course if there are serious contraindications, you might want to limit a certain activity.

The OP sounds young enough to have a low risk of a heart attack while running after his goat.

 

[velociraptor]

The OP sounds young enough to have a low risk of a heart attack while running after his goat.

That's not the problem. The problem is when one of the darn things eats your shirt, or part of it.

Especially when it's your favourite Spider-Man shirt at a petting zoo when you're five.

Yes, I hold grudges.

 

[WhitewaterWoman]

That's not the problem. The problem is when one of the darn things eats your shirt, or part of it.

Especially when it's your favourite Spider-Man shirt at a petting zoo when you're five.

Yes, I hold grudges.

So the problem here is really that you don’t like goats, not that the OP shouldn’t have one. I could give you more grief on that topic but I will restrain myself.

Goats, like people, have different personalities. Not all goats will eat your shirt. But they are browsers. That’s the way they feed.

Thinking back on my goat raising days, the only caution I would give is DO NOT GET AN UNCASTRATED MALE GOAT.

 

[Judge]

I've always been fascinated with the idea of a "tiny home". Often enjoy such presentations on YouTube, although such stories usually include some of the more concerning caveats of pursuing such things, like the cost, and legal issues pertinent to who actually owns the land and such.

 

[Shevek]

A lot of the debate here is over "analysis paralysis." It is not prudent to take off in an airplane without checking the fuel level. Nor is it wise to disassemble the whole fuel system to check for gunk if the aircraft was flown recently. Usually, I go around with reserves and emergency equipment I may never use, but sometimes, I've had to buy extra clothing or improvise a repair. Growing up should be a series of gradually increasing challenges - The steps should be neither too big nor too small. The right size ones sometimes get exciting, but not disastrous as you figure things out.
When my friend Steve was heading out for an open-ended bike tour, his anxious aunt protested "But Steve - there are things out there that we don't even KNOW about!"
"Exactly!" he replied.

 

[velociraptor]

So the problem here is really that you don’t like goats, not that the OP shouldn’t have one.

I'm just saying I'm aware of issues with goats the OP may not be. In any case, it's not a bad idea to try something on a smaller scale before making a major investment. I rented a paddle board a few times before buying a high-end one of my own after learning I enjoyed it (despite a massive fear of water).

I thought I would like owning chickens because I like fresh eggs. I discovered I don't like being pecked on my hands or ankles or the smell of the #$&% beasts. They are EVIL. So glad I didn't spend $5,000 beforehand getting setup to own chickens.

 

[Shevek]

I'm just saying I'm aware of issues with goats the OP may not be. In any case, it's not a bad idea to try something on a smaller scale before making a major investment. I rented a paddle board a few times before buying a high-end one of my own after learning I enjoyed it (despite a massive fear of water).

I thought I would like owning chickens because I like fresh eggs. I discovered I don't like being pecked on my hands or ankles or the smell of the #$&% beasts. They are EVIL. So glad I didn't spend $5,000 beforehand getting setup to own chickens.

It sounds like you had your chickens in a bad environment. I've never been pecked.

 

[velociraptor]

It sounds like you had your chickens in a bad environment. I've never been pecked.

I'm not a chicken expert. My wife grew up on a farm and doesn't like them and now I don't either after the AirBnB I went to. Little demons with feathers.

 

[Jeff T]

My SO at the time wanted to get a few mini-goats. Neither of us had had any caprines prior to this idea. I did some reading on the subject- discovered that they can eat/girdle and kill trees. Ouch- there are 40+ large trees here so that would be a big problem! Also the intact males seem to have a bit of an odor, and like to head-butt with force! The young ones sure are cute though, playing on mini-hills and such- kind of like puppies! Herbivore dogs? But the OP may know all of this.
Turns out the horses we had here were pretty good termite substitutes- gnawing on boards and trees.....!

The land and shelter is another can of worms. I don't know the OP's situation- does the person live in the city, or in an inexpensive rural area?

Meanwhile the OP hasn't responded to any replies. Might have posted this in a fit and left, or is watching the replies? If the poster left the discussion we're, we're replying to one another?