Goats - Raising Small Animals - page 275

• The Internet: You can find goats advertised for sale on the Internet on classified ad sites
such as Craigslist ( www.craigslist.org ) and on state Department of Agriculture web-
sites. Try an Internet search with keywords such as “goat for sale” or “LaMancha.”
• Magazines and journals: Many publications list breeders and have classified ad sec-
tions. Some of these are Goat Biz ® Magazine ( www.goatmagazine.info/goatbiz ), Goat
Rancher ( www.goatrancher.com ) , Dairy Goat Journal ( www.dairygoatjournal.com ),
and The Goat Magazine ™ ( www.goatmagazine.com ) .
• Shows and events: Livestock shows and events take place year-round. You will find goat
owners and breeders — even goats for sale — at any of these. Visit the online sites or
call various goat breed associations to find out when and where shows and events are
taking place. These events, even when you are not quite ready to buy, are a good place
to learn about breeds, see them up close, and question the experts. Visit the goat barn at
a county or state fair. You can see some of the best breed specimens there, learn a bit
about showing, and chat with owners.
• Breeders: Find breeders by contacting goat associations and by doing an Internet search.
• Auctions: Be wary of buying a goat at a livestock auction. The animals being auctioned
off are probably being sold for a reason. A goat may be an inferior milker, have a diffi-
cult temperament, or carry some undesirable genetic trait. Worse, the animal may come
from a herd infected with foot rot or some other contagious disease that can spread to
your healthy goats. Even if the goat is healthy, simply being in the auction pen is likely
to expose it to disease. Occasionally, a good bargain can be found at an auction, but re-
serve this method of goat acquisition until you know goats better.
• County extension office: Your local agricultural extension office can refer you to farm-
ers who raise and sell goats in your immediate area. The staff often can give valuable
advice, including current pricing in your area and what to expect once you start negoti-
ating with a seller.
Pricing — not black and white
The price of a dairy goat can range from around $50 to hundreds of dollars. Many variables
determine the price of a goat: the popularity of the specific breed; whether the goat is
purebred, grade, or not registered at all; the goat's sex, age, and milk production; the individu-