I would definately encourage one to visit the individual goat before buying them. Every goat has a different personalitly as well as milk production, udder comformation, handles etc. Aslo, I find that reading goat books can be rather daunting to a first timer. I encourage one to first talk face to face with the breeder, getting to know what the goats needs are, what equipment to buy etc. And then checkout books from the library for getting a well-rounded opinion. In one summer, I’ve learned so much by experience, by looking for answers online and talking to my local Saanen breeder. Go to your local feed store, look on Craigslist.com and scan through your local newspapers for buying Saanens. Make your desire known to those who work at feed stores and you’ll be surprised how quickly you’ll find goats for sale.

In usuall cases, a goat share which includes 1 gallon of raw milk per week (4 gallons per month) costs the shareholder $25 per month. It is also possible to sell raw milk labeled for pet consumption only. Or you can sell it pasteurized for about $3 dollars a gallon.

If I’m doing the math correct with 10 goats providing a gallon per day you’d would have about 70 gallons per week. You could easily allow for 50 shares from that much milk. For a family with extra hands (children at age three can learn to milk well), 10 goats is a very doable number. I milk two goats twice a day, and it is very easy and fast.

I spend about $50 dollars per month for our three goats. From May-Sept, we have plenty of free range grub for them, bushes, trees, weeds, and grass, so we only have to provide grain during these months. Along with minerals (costing about $50 per year) and a herbal de-wormer ($50 per year). We spent about $300 dollars for their winter hay. Thankfully, because goats prefer weeds over nice horse hay, it is much less expensive. So a total yearly cost would be about $900 for three goats. When you consider how much you get in return, kid goats each year to sell or build your flock, abundant milk and cheese, and if needed home raised meat, the cost doesn’t seem too bad. Of course, you would need to allow for the cost of your land. We have 3 acres for our 3 goats, but our land is full of goat-friendly grub. If you had prairie land with grass only, you would need to provide more for your goats. Goats do very well on forest land, just as deer do.

You do not need to heat your goat barn. Infact, like horses, goats fair better with the great outdoor weather. You must provide shelter from the wind and rain and for “nesting” before they kid but they do not need more than that. Goats are from the deer family, so it helps to remember they can live comfortably outdoors as deer do.