What farm animal should I get?

equine.trailrider · 07-23-2008, 06:15 PM

I'd really like to get something (other than a horse) that we can keep as a pet and the kids can take part in caring for. I'd like it to be small and fairly easy to take care of. I don't know a lot about other farm animals but am interested in either a sheep, miniature goat (do they exist), mini donkey or standard donkey. Anybody have experience that can help me out? I'd like whatever we get to be able to be out with the horses.

dadof10 · 07-23-2008, 06:51 PM

Yes there are mini goats. That is what I would advise for you to get. Here is a link about them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_goat

Sunlei · 07-23-2008, 06:54 PM

I know chickens aren't as cute and loveable like a goat or mini.

Hens do a great job catching flies, My horse loves her chicken fly attendents.

Chickens are easy to keep, with simple needs and they start laying delicious brown eggs at 5 months of age. My red hens just hit 5 months and the eggs are finally here.

Downside is chickens are a pain to keep safe around night critters and dogs.

You may already have chickens with your horse barn.

BarnBum · 07-23-2008, 06:57 PM

Pot Belly piggy ?? Goats ?? Mini Donkey would be pergect since you already have the set up / feed for it !!

Karen Cole · 07-23-2008, 08:20 PM

Dalice Skapnit is not to far from you she has Nigerian Dwarf goats they are really nice and great milkers if you so desire. PM me if you would like her number. We've got a Mini Nubian wether to sell as well but he is not very friendly, I don't think it would take much though. He was fine until I castrated him now he wants nothing to do with me? Go Figure

Karen

tallyho · 07-23-2008, 08:24 PM

I second the goat vote... they are like dogs, but don't need to come inside(although they can/ will/want to). As long as they are not played with roughly that they learn to butt when playing, they are great with kids, from the pygmies on up in size.

Tango · 07-23-2008, 08:29 PM

Goats make great pets. and are also good calming effects on horses.

dproaps · 07-23-2008, 08:39 PM

Hey, see my thread about Atomic and Nuclear, they are turning out to be great pets! Pics too. They are Nigerian dwarf goats.

Atomic and Nuclear (the wild goats!)

Get them really young and they seem to be fairly easy to get friendly!

**Range** · 07-23-2008, 09:18 PM

You want to turn the animal out with the horses? You have to have pretty particular fencing for goats, they are the masters of escape. Also, you have to be sure to separate them at feed time.

However, a nice, friendly donkey would get along great with your horses and needs really the same care as a horse. Not much to the learning curve, there.

DriftwoodAcres · 07-23-2008, 10:40 PM

Nigerian Dwarf goats!!! IMO they are the best for kids. PM me and I can give you a link to a breeder around here, who raises quality(and nice) goats!

**taelesean** · 07-23-2008, 10:55 PM

Nobody's mentioned miniature cows.

Here's a critter that will eat that non-horse hay and turn it into milk.

Some of them are small pony sized.

DriftwoodAcres · 07-23-2008, 11:46 PM

I've seen the minature cows at fair, and wanted one(they're soo cute!) but I can't find them around here...

equine.trailrider · 07-24-2008, 02:29 AM

Right now I'm just in the 'thinking about it' process. I've gone as far as to get more information about being a foster farm for rescued donkeys. I could only take in one at a time as I already take in unwanted horses and have to leave room for helping them too.
I have been leaning toward the donkeys/mini donkeys as they often wind up at the kill pen at Shipshewana. My fencing is two hot wire strands that will put a hurtin' on you if touched. I too have heard that goats are escape artists and I can tell you that with the neighbors I have, it would not go over well at all if one got out.
I absolutely do not want chickens! We actually have a chicken coop on our equipment barn. There was once a pen built onto the side of it with a door they could run in and out of. Believe me, my MIL desperately wants me to have chickens but alas, I won't.
Mini cows? Now that has peaked my interest!

Karen Cole · 07-24-2008, 06:41 AM

Hard Rock Farm (The Percivals) in Bloomingdale have Dexters which are mini cattle. I have no idea what they get for them though. Right now I think they are showing at the Holland Fair.

Karen

dcandace · 07-24-2008, 06:50 AM

Some people have luck with hot wire for goats, we never did. We've had goats for 8 years and finally had to put up woven wire around our property and then b/c the silly things kept getting their heads stuck in the fence had to run hot wire on the inside for about 6 months. Now they think the fence is still there and won't put their heads through.

Oh wow! set up for chickens and you don't have any. I hated chickens till I got mine (hubby liked them) and now I wouldn't trade anything for the dozen eggs I get a day and plus we have NO TICKS or Fleas!!!

**Range** · 07-24-2008, 10:21 AM

Yeah, my goats totally ignore the electric...it's extremely frustrating. Woven wire is about the only thing I've found that will keep them in!

equine.trailrider · 07-24-2008, 12:58 PM

I won't be getting goats then, not with the neighbors I have! I'm not going to reconstruct all my horse fence either. Looks like a donkey, mule or mini donk is in my future.

Karen Cole · 07-24-2008, 04:04 PM

You know I've been thinking if your willing to go with a Mini Mule/Donkey or Cow perhaps you should think of a Boer Goat?!

I know a breeder not to far from you that has about 10 for sale and is willing to deal......might even deliver for some peanut butter cookies

Just kidding (no pun intended) we also use woven wire the goats are not used to electric.

Karen

grannycowgirl · 07-24-2008, 10:49 PM

I am a grandmother now and remember my goat as one of my favorite childhood pets. Like someone else said, don't play rough and it will be the sweetest pet. Fencing is a problem, though. I have read about yokes so they can't get their heads through.

equine.trailrider · 07-25-2008, 07:09 AM

I would like a goat, I just can't see redoing my entire 10 acres of fencing for one animal.

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07-23-2008, 06:15 PM
equine.trailrider Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 901	What farm animal should I get? I'd really like to get something (other than a horse) that we can keep as a pet and the kids can take part in caring for. I'd like it to be small and fairly easy to take care of. I don't know a lot about other farm animals but am interested in either a sheep, miniature goat (do they exist), mini donkey or standard donkey. Anybody have experience that can help me out? I'd like whatever we get to be able to be out with the horses. __________________ -I'll Take A Cold One. Make It A Draft! visit me at http://www.freewebs.com/sunshineacres

07-23-2008, 06:51 PM
dadof10 Halter broke Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ochlocknee Posts: 170	Yes there are mini goats. That is what I would advise for you to get. Here is a link about them. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_goat __________________ It is not enough for a man to learn to ride, he must learn to fall

07-23-2008, 06:54 PM
Sunlei Yearling Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 950	I know chickens aren't as cute and loveable like a goat or mini. Hens do a great job catching flies, My horse loves her chicken fly attendents. Chickens are easy to keep, with simple needs and they start laying delicious brown eggs at 5 months of age. My red hens just hit 5 months and the eggs are finally here. Downside is chickens are a pain to keep safe around night critters and dogs. You may already have chickens with your horse barn.

07-23-2008, 06:57 PM
BarnBum Greenbroke Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunshine State Posts: 3,631	Pot Belly piggy ?? Goats ?? Mini Donkey would be pergect since you already have the set up / feed for it !! __________________ Murphys Horse Law - A horse's misbehavior will be in direct proportion to the number of people who are watching !!

07-23-2008, 08:20 PM
Karen Cole Long Yearling Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,442	Dalice Skapnit is not to far from you she has Nigerian Dwarf goats they are really nice and great milkers if you so desire. PM me if you would like her number. We've got a Mini Nubian wether to sell as well but he is not very friendly, I don't think it would take much though. He was fine until I castrated him now he wants nothing to do with me? Go Figure Karen

07-23-2008, 08:24 PM
tallyho Long Yearling Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Trappe, PA Posts: 1,117	I second the goat vote... they are like dogs, but don't need to come inside(although they can/ will/want to). As long as they are not played with roughly that they learn to butt when playing, they are great with kids, from the pygmies on up in size.

07-23-2008, 08:29 PM
Tango Yearling Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gordon Ga. Posts: 801	Goats make great pets. and are also good calming effects on horses. __________________ Tango might be short but at least I don't have to duck.

07-23-2008, 08:39 PM
dproaps Coming two Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Dickson, Tennessee Posts: 1,528	Hey, see my thread about Atomic and Nuclear, they are turning out to be great pets! Pics too. They are Nigerian dwarf goats. Atomic and Nuclear (the wild goats!) Get them really young and they seem to be fairly easy to get friendly! __________________ Those who suffer with the suffering are dancing to the rhythm of God.

07-23-2008, 09:18 PM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,751	You want to turn the animal out with the horses? You have to have pretty particular fencing for goats, they are the masters of escape. Also, you have to be sure to separate them at feed time. However, a nice, friendly donkey would get along great with your horses and needs really the same care as a horse. Not much to the learning curve, there. __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

07-23-2008, 10:40 PM
DriftwoodAcres Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 457	Nigerian Dwarf goats!!! IMO they are the best for kids. PM me and I can give you a link to a breeder around here, who raises quality(and nice) goats! __________________ P.eople E.ating T.asty A.nimals

07-23-2008, 10:55 PM
taelesean Administrator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 5,677	Nobody's mentioned miniature cows. Here's a critter that will eat that non-horse hay and turn it into milk. Some of them are small pony sized. __________________

07-23-2008, 11:46 PM
DriftwoodAcres Weanling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 457	I've seen the minature cows at fair, and wanted one(they're soo cute!) but I can't find them around here... __________________ P.eople E.ating T.asty A.nimals

07-24-2008, 02:29 AM
equine.trailrider Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 901	Right now I'm just in the 'thinking about it' process. I've gone as far as to get more information about being a foster farm for rescued donkeys. I could only take in one at a time as I already take in unwanted horses and have to leave room for helping them too. I have been leaning toward the donkeys/mini donkeys as they often wind up at the kill pen at Shipshewana. My fencing is two hot wire strands that will put a hurtin' on you if touched. I too have heard that goats are escape artists and I can tell you that with the neighbors I have, it would not go over well at all if one got out. I absolutely do not want chickens! We actually have a chicken coop on our equipment barn. There was once a pen built onto the side of it with a door they could run in and out of. Believe me, my MIL desperately wants me to have chickens but alas, I won't. Mini cows? Now that has peaked my interest! __________________ -I'll Take A Cold One. Make It A Draft! visit me at http://www.freewebs.com/sunshineacres

07-24-2008, 06:41 AM
Karen Cole Long Yearling Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,442	Hard Rock Farm (The Percivals) in Bloomingdale have Dexters which are mini cattle. I have no idea what they get for them though. Right now I think they are showing at the Holland Fair. Karen

07-24-2008, 06:50 AM
dcandace Weanling Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Hart County, KY Posts: 482	Some people have luck with hot wire for goats, we never did. We've had goats for 8 years and finally had to put up woven wire around our property and then b/c the silly things kept getting their heads stuck in the fence had to run hot wire on the inside for about 6 months. Now they think the fence is still there and won't put their heads through. Oh wow! set up for chickens and you don't have any. I hated chickens till I got mine (hubby liked them) and now I wouldn't trade anything for the dozen eggs I get a day and plus we have NO TICKS or Fleas!!! __________________ RIDING The art of keeping a horse between you and the ground

07-24-2008, 10:21 AM
Range Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Back of Beyond Posts: 5,751	Yeah, my goats totally ignore the electric...it's extremely frustrating. Woven wire is about the only thing I've found that will keep them in! __________________ If it harms none, do what you will.

07-24-2008, 12:58 PM
equine.trailrider Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 901	I won't be getting goats then, not with the neighbors I have! I'm not going to reconstruct all my horse fence either. Looks like a donkey, mule or mini donk is in my future. __________________ -I'll Take A Cold One. Make It A Draft! visit me at http://www.freewebs.com/sunshineacres

07-24-2008, 04:04 PM
Karen Cole Long Yearling Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,442	You know I've been thinking if your willing to go with a Mini Mule/Donkey or Cow perhaps you should think of a Boer Goat?! I know a breeder not to far from you that has about 10 for sale and is willing to deal......might even deliver for some peanut butter cookies Just kidding (no pun intended) we also use woven wire the goats are not used to electric. Karen

07-24-2008, 10:49 PM
grannycowgirl Weanling Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: southern U.S. Posts: 239	I am a grandmother now and remember my goat as one of my favorite childhood pets. Like someone else said, don't play rough and it will be the sweetest pet. Fencing is a problem, though. I have read about yokes so they can't get their heads through. __________________ If you find some happiness inside yourself, you'll start finding it in a lot of other places, too. www.simplykonawhim.etsy.com Last edited by grannycowgirl : 07-24-2008 at 10:54 PM.

07-25-2008, 07:09 AM
equine.trailrider Yearling Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Michigan Posts: 901	I would like a goat, I just can't see redoing my entire 10 acres of fencing for one animal. __________________ -I'll Take A Cold One. Make It A Draft! visit me at http://www.freewebs.com/sunshineacres