I bought a FB Boer doe (Glenda) that had a Boer/Agora kid. Previous owner did not have a real good fence and his Angora buck bred everything on their farm. The kid came with the doe. The only reason I got this particular girl is because I already bought her mother and she is "something." Anyway...one of the cutest little girls you ever saw. Very sweet natured and she acted like a big puppy. I wish I could figure out how to use photobucket...I would post a picture of her. We gave her to a friend of ours. Their little girl just fell in love with her the first time she saw it. I thought she was cute also...but when you are the one buying the feed...I looked at her in a "whole different light!" She wasn't going to make many burgers...if you know what I mean...she had to go. I think any / all goats are addicting. You get one...you are bound and determined to get more. It would be better to get more than one to start. They are very social animals, they need some company. Does & wethers are a good combination...don't get a buck unless you want babies! I also second the advice on the shelter. Goats don't need anything elaborate...just a place to stay dry and out of the weather.

As long as they aren't crowded too much, as long as they have feed - which doesn't HAVE to all be top quality, as the purpose is as much to keep them occupied as to nourish them - then I wouldn't worry about it. If you can safely give them toys - heads of cabbage, branches to strip bark off, milk jugs with a few pebbles inside to toss around, etc., then you would add to the entertainment factor, but it's not necessary. If you want, and are really worried about them being bored, AND if you have the time and room, I am sure you can handle them, teach them tricks, to lead well, to tie, have their feet handled, to carry packs, etc.. If you opt for this, I would try to work with them individually, separated from the rest, as the other(s) will get in the way. Of course, if the snow is really deep, then you may not have the room for this, in which case, ignore it.

The male goats urinate all over themselves constantly and the females they are mating with. You will know by the smell how far away to keep them and it's a LONG way! Their smell will permeate everything around, including the milk and anything else nearby. The folks I know with a few dairy goats for milk just have females and young ones. They take the females to another farm for mating when they come in heat. If the kids are male they sell them before they get very big. You could also put them in the freezer. Mature bucks can be very aggresive and hard to tame, as well, but that might depend on the breed. If you get a fertile buck, you will need to keep him way out in a large pasture, but not by himself. A whether makes a good companion for a fertile buck. I don't think you want to put two fertile bucks together as they might fight a lot. You can also shear some goats, or comb them when they shed. Mohair (from Angoras) and Cashmere both come from goats. I have not kept goats myself, but have friends who do. I am considering it for when I have more time, though. I'd like milk and cashmere. I want a spinning wheel :-)

i suggest talking to your local vet, about his eating habits it sounds to me like he is just being lazy and living on easy street . Zeke