Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
al's health and breeding history; and its conformation, or how closely an individual goat
matches the ideal standard for the breed. Price can vary depending on the time of year, wheth-
er a goat has won a ribbon in a show, and whether a doe is pregnant. Finally, price varies ac-
cording to geographical region.
You will not know exactly how much you can expect to pay for goats until you start shopping
around, but you can learn about the factors that go into pricing a goat and be able to judge
whether you are being offered a fair price. If you are genuinely interested in a particular goat,
do not hesitate to negotiate and see if you can work out a price that is satisfactory to both you
and the seller. Many who are experienced in buying and selling goats will tell you, you can al-
ways find a purebred goat at a bargain price and a mixed breed offered for an unfairly high
price. The more you educate yourself about the realities of pricing in your region, the less
likely you are to lose money in a bad deal or unwise investment.
Evaluating a dairy goat
Browsing through the breed prices in your region will give you a general idea of what you
will pay for a goat of a particular breed and what you will pay for a mixed breed.
When you evaluate a dairy goat, look for these three key physical characteristics:
• Milking: Is the shape and condition of the udder good, and are suspensory ligaments in-
tact?
• Body shape and structure: Is the animal sturdy, with the bones supporting the musculature
of the body, and is the body of the correct shape and size?
• Overall health: Does the animal show any sign of disease?
When you are examining a specific dairy goat, you will first want to know what sort of milker
she is. A goat may be sweet, affectionate, and attractive, but if she does not produce milk, she
does not suit your purpose. Ask for permission to milk each goat you consider. If you do not
yet know how to milk, ask to observe the milking. Observe what sort of temperament the goat
displays during milking. Note the type of restraint used during milking because this is what
the goat is accustomed to. A reputable goat seller will not object to your touching the goats
and observing or performing milking.
A second major consideration is the goat's conformation — how closely it matches the ideal
physical specifications for its breed. Conformation is important whether the goat is of a given
