Raising Goats

Lately I have been seriously considering the possibility of raising goats. The thought of fresh goat's milk and making my own goat cheese is one of those enticing DIY dreams. And the idea of having a method for grass and weed control that doesn't involve me pushing a mower is very tempting. I've even heard that certain breeds of goats make for excellent pets. In doing research on goat rearing I've found out the obvious, they need lots of space, which I have, and they need to be fenced in as they like to wander. The not so obvious results of my research pertained to the fact that there are several different breeds of goats and depending on your reasons for wanting to raise goats there are very specific breeds for specific purposes. So all goats are not created equal. If you're raising for meat, you want boer goats, for breeding, showing, or as pets, you want to raise pygmy or Nigerian dwarf goats. Goats are also herd animals and prefer the company of other goats, so if you aren't prepared to have three or more they suggest you don't raise goats. Last, but definitely not least, unless you plan to breed them, stick to girl goats because boy goats stink, literally.