I grew up on a farm with all sorts of animals. Pygmy goats are actually not that bad. Big goats, otoh are annoying creatures that have no redeeming qualities. I don't even think they're that cute. But really, it depends on what the other animals you have are. Horses? Goats do well with horses. Llamas? Sheep do well with llamas. Alpacas? sell them, they're jerks.
I was mostly just thinking as pets, tbh. But then I was looking at some goat breeds that are actually good for yarn, because I felt like they should be useful. I have a good amount of space (as in, there's probably 5 houses in a square mile radius), but I think I'm too busy these days to devote the time to new animals.
A neighbor of mine is getting a couple goats and thinks shes going to train one of them to hike trails with her, like a dog. Her actual dogs don't seem super well trained so I'm somewhat skeptical! On the other hand, they're rescue dogs so they have an excuse :p
I've never considered them for pets. I consider them to need too much space for backyard animals. Pygmies might be okay, but not for yarn. I have never hiked with a goat. I have hiked with llamas. Rescue dogs can totally be trained!
Also can you expand on your opinions about Alpacas? I've not spent time around them so I'm wondering why you have such strong opinions about them being giant jerks! :)
Well, I was raised with llamas, and all of them but one were great. They had their own personalities, but you could go up to them and they would let you pet their necks and we would go on hikes with them and take them to schools and they'd be able to be around kids other than me. Llamas are naturally curious, they're interested in other animals and will come over and see the dogs and sheep and meet the horses over the fence.
We had alpacas for about six months.
They hated everyone. We'd go into the pasture and they'd run. We had to chase them to get them into the run in order to take care of them. Any noise freaks them out. The rooster's crowing, better run away. Oh, no, there's a baby in existence somewhere in the world, better spit. I can count on one hand the number of times a llama kicked me. I have scars from alpaca kicks. And, like I said, we only had them for six months. (And they kick sideways, it takes talent to be kicked by a camelid.)
WE NEED A GOAT COMMUNITY
I really want one but everyone says I shouldn't. :(
Apparently they're too smart and will always break out and end up on your roof or causing various kinds of trouble.
Folks say I should get sheep instead because they're dumber.
But goats are just soooo cute!
I grew up on a farm with all sorts of animals. Pygmy goats are actually not that bad. Big goats, otoh are annoying creatures that have no redeeming qualities. I don't even think they're that cute. But really, it depends on what the other animals you have are. Horses? Goats do well with horses. Llamas? Sheep do well with llamas. Alpacas? sell them, they're jerks.
I was mostly just thinking as pets, tbh. But then I was looking at some goat breeds that are actually good for yarn, because I felt like they should be useful. I have a good amount of space (as in, there's probably 5 houses in a square mile radius), but I think I'm too busy these days to devote the time to new animals.
A neighbor of mine is getting a couple goats and thinks shes going to train one of them to hike trails with her, like a dog. Her actual dogs don't seem super well trained so I'm somewhat skeptical! On the other hand, they're rescue dogs so they have an excuse :p
I've never considered them for pets. I consider them to need too much space for backyard animals. Pygmies might be okay, but not for yarn. I have never hiked with a goat. I have hiked with llamas. Rescue dogs can totally be trained!
Also can you expand on your opinions about Alpacas? I've not spent time around them so I'm wondering why you have such strong opinions about them being giant jerks! :)
Well, I was raised with llamas, and all of them but one were great. They had their own personalities, but you could go up to them and they would let you pet their necks and we would go on hikes with them and take them to schools and they'd be able to be around kids other than me. Llamas are naturally curious, they're interested in other animals and will come over and see the dogs and sheep and meet the horses over the fence.
We had alpacas for about six months.
They hated everyone. We'd go into the pasture and they'd run. We had to chase them to get them into the run in order to take care of them. Any noise freaks them out. The rooster's crowing, better run away. Oh, no, there's a baby in existence somewhere in the world, better spit. I can count on one hand the number of times a llama kicked me. I have scars from alpaca kicks. And, like I said, we only had them for six months. (And they kick sideways, it takes talent to be kicked by a camelid.)
Ah I see so I should get llamas! Haha
Though, much like goats, I'm not sure what I would actually do with llamas, other than look at their cuteness.
Llamas are definitely not pets! I love them, but they require acreage. Going to visit my mother's in a couple weeks, though. I'll post pictures.
I will say that you can use llama hair for yarn, though. And they're good for hiking. (And they'll carry their own water/food.)
How much acreage are we talking?
You need at least two llamas, they're social animals that need friends. Iirc it's 2 acres per llama.
hmmm okay yeah, 4 acres is a lot to manage. Though maybe I could just pretend they're lawnmowers for the back field...