GOAT BUYING BEGINNERS GUIDE FAQ | RED ROOSTER RANCH CALIFORNIA

Frequently Asked Questions - Buying Goats

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to all things goats! Whether you're seeking a beginner's guide to dairy goat keeping, eager to dive deeper into the essentials of getting started with a dairy goat herd, or expanding your goat-keeping knowledge, you've come to the right place. Our 15 years of experience holistically raising Nigerian Dwarf goats for our hobby dairy farm has given us a great deal of information and insights and we are happy to share with you to make your experience with Nigerian Dwarf goats as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. Explore our FAQs to gain valuable knowledge that will empower you on your goat-keeping adventure. We also share our daily experiences on Instagram so be sure to give us a follow if you you're looking for micro-learning opportunities... and also cute baby goats!experiences

This page is under construction- scroll down for q&a.
If you don't see your question listed here, please contact us and we would be happy to answer it.

Buying & Reserving Goats from Red Rooster Ranch

Are your goats tested for communicable diseases?

Yes, all of our adult goats are tested for CAE, CL & Johne's and have always been negative.

Are your goats registered?

Yes, all of our adult goats are registered with the American Dairy Goat Association, ADGA. Each doe and buck kid sold will come with the required paperwork for registering them with ADGA. The BUYER is responsible for any registration fees unless otherwise agreed upon with Red Rooster Ranch. We currently are covering the cost of registration and transfer for those customers who have their ADGA membership. More information on how to get started with ADGA can be found here.

Do you allow visits to your farm before we commit to a reservation?

Unfortunately, no. We are unable to keep up with the demand for visits and have made the difficult decision to limit farm visits only to animal pick-ups. We have an extensive history of honest sales and healthy goats. Customers picking up their goats will be scheduled for a 45 minute appointment that can be used to ask us questions about goat keeping. If more time is needed, we do offer mentorship appointments.

Can I purchase just one goat?

Yes and no. If you already own goats, then yes, you can get just one at a time. However, if you do not, we you will need to get two. Goats are herd animals and MUST be with other goats or they will not thrive. They can become so lonely and stressed that they die. Any reputable goat breeder will confirm this fact. Breeders willing to sell single goats are not considered reputable and are setting you and the goat up for failure. We do not recommend doing business with such breeders. More on purchasing goats.

How much do your goats cost?

Wethers (castrated males) are $250 - 650 while bucklings and does range from $700- $1000. Registration fees are included for current ADGA members. Non-members are provided with paper applications and fees are the buyer's responsibilities. Need help becoming an ADGA member? This article goes into detail about how to get signed up.

Do you offer any sales or discounts?

Yes! We offer the following discounts:

*ADGA Performance Members: These discounts are on a case by case basis and begin at $50 per goat. We are eager to place our goats in herds who are actively proving out their herd in ADGA sanctioned performance programs. Please contact us to discuss discounts and incentives!

*$50 off each goat for 4H members currently enrolled and active in a goat project. We will require written verification from your project or club leader.

*Two Buck Chuck Discount: Buy one buck and get the second at the wether price* plus registration fees. This is to encourage a companion for bucks as they too need to have their own herd and cannot be permanently housed with does. (*Note that not all kids will qualify for the discount.) Read more about keeping a mixed gender herd and why you need two bucks.

*ADGA Members: Registration and transfer fees are waived for active ADGA members. Read more about how to get started with ADGA.

How much is it to place a reservation?

An unborn doe or buck kid is $100 to reserve, and wethers are $50. To reserve a living kid or adult, 50% of the sale price is required to hold the goat until pick up. This is applied to the purchase price of the goat and is not refundable.

Deposits are like cash and must be submitted as such. Deposits marked "goods and services" will be rejected and must be resubmitted. It is free to be on our waitlist but paid reservations will take priority.

How do I reserve my goat(s)?

Please complete the reservation request form to begin the process of reserving a kid(s). Once we receive your reservation request form, we will contact you with instructions on how to submit payment, etc. You can visit our Kidding Schedule to see what we have planned!

The last several years, almost all of our kids were sold before they were born. We strongly recommend placing a paid deposit to reserve your kid(s). The first step is to complete the reservation form as it answers all of the questions we have to help us match you with the best goat(s). Once we have received your form, we will reach out and give you instructions on the next step.

Please review our sales policies to address any further questions. Prices and availability are subject to change without notice. Until pregnancies are confirmed, we retain the right to change bucks used.

Do I get to pick which breeding(s) my kids are reserved from?

Wether reservations are filled in order of deposit dates and after buck reservations are filled. Does and bucks can be by specific breeding or by general trait and/or time frame and order of deposit dates.

Deposit dates MAY trump reservations on specific breedings. For example, if we do not have enough kids to fill a general reservation placed on January 1, a specific breeding deposit placed on February1 MAY get bumped to fulfill the earlier reservation. The exception to this is performing herds with specific reservations will take priority.

We work very hard to ensure we are as fair as possible to everyone but cannot predict gender and/or viability of the kids due. We use ultrasound scans to get an estimated count of kids in each breeding and this is what we base our reservation availability on. We take reservations conservatively so that we can do our best to fill every one based on the requests.

We reserve the right to keep any and all kids from any breeding regardless of any paid reservations. In this event, or any event that prohibits us from fulfilling our end of the reservation, we will offer a refund or the option to roll over your reservation to another breeding or season.

What payment methods do you accept?

Deposits can be sent electronically with the final balance due in cash at pick up. Venmo and Zelle are our preferred payment methods but we can set up payments via credit card or PayPal with applicable fees applied. Checks are not accepted.

Do you vaccinate your herd?

We do not routinely vaccinate our animals. We have made the informed decision that our risk factors for vaccine preventable diseases are, at this time, lower than the known risks associated with vaccines. Please discuss vaccines with your vet.

We do not recommend giving any medications, especially vaccines, in the first week of bringing home a new animal. Any possible reactions could be confused with normal transition stress and we feel it's important to be able to discern between the two.

What vaccines and wormers will my baby goat have received?

All baby goats will receive coccidia preventative medicines (Toltrazuril 5% or the like) at 3 & 6 weeks. It is advised for them to receive an additional dose at 9 weeks. We will send buyers home with a dose or doses if the kid(s) leave before 6 weeks.

Do you offer a health guarantee?

Yes! All Red Rooster Ranch animals are guaranteed healthy at time of sale. We are happy to have goats checked over by our vet before sale at buyer’s expense. Should the vet find the animal unhealthy, the buyer’s money shall be refunded or another goat offered.

Does the purchase price include disbudding and wethering?

Yes to both! Goats will be disbudded prior to 2 weeks of age at the expense of the Red Rooster Ranch unless otherwise agreed upon by buyer and noted in the sales contract. Red Rooster Ranch does not guarantee against scurs (small horn growths).

If the buyer does not want their goats disbudded, this must be agreed upon prior to the birth of the goat(s) and payment in full will be due at the time of birth. Goats marked and sold as "polled" (naturally without horns) are guaranteed against horn growth. What are polled goats?

Male goats who are castrated are referred to as "wethers". This can be done non-surgically by the banding method or surgically by a licensed veterinarian. Each wether includes banding by Red Rooster Ranch in his fees. However, we do not ever band before 8 weeks and strongly recommend it be done between 12-16 weeks. Buyers are responsible to bring back their goat(s) to Red Rooster Ranch for banding or contact their vet.

What do you feed your goats?

Baby goats under 3 weeks old are fed only fresh, raw goat milk with access to alfalfa hay to practice eating. They are with their mamas during the day and will start eating hay, water and minerals with her. We feed mamas #1 or "first cut" alfalfa, water and free choice, goat-specific, loose minerals. We use Sweetlix Meatmaker minerals. Only goats in milk are routinely given grains. DO NOT FEED YOUR GOATS CHICKEN FEED. Red more on feeding goats here.

Will my baby be a bottle baby or dam raised?

Both! Around 10 days old, we bottle train all of our kids giving them a morning bottle each day while allowing them free access to their moms all day. Babies are only pulled from mom and fed bottles100% in cases where it is absolutely necessary. Bottle feeding instructions can be found here.

We require them go home by 3-4 weeks because this facilitates a very special bond with their new family. After4 weeks, if left with mom, they revert to being wild monsters! In the 14 years + of raising goats, bottle training and early separation from their moms has been a game changer.

They are less stressed and more bonded to their new families.
They are also now able to have milk for as long as their new parents are willing to do bottles!
Typically, babies are weaned between 8-10 weeks and sent to their new homes without being bottle trained. This is extremely stressful for everyone!

Can I bottle feed my babies? And how do I go about doing it?

All of our kids are sold "on the bottle" unless there are circumstances that prevent this from happening. Over the years of buying and selling goat kids, it has become abundantly clear that bottle babies have a different temperament and are much more friendly. Most of our buyers are looking for friendly, easy to handle goats and the obvious solution to this is to sell all babies bottle trained and by 4 weeks old. Bottle trained babies also benefit from milk for much longer than kids weaned at 8-10 weeks in order to go to their new homes.

Are you wondering if bottle babies are right for you? This detailed overview of feeding schedules and requirements is a good place to start to see if bottle babies are a good fit for you.

Bottle feeding is going to give you a huge payback for your time in their temperament. We bottle train all of the kids but unless there are special circumstances, they stay with their moms until they wean/go home. The ideal age to get them is 3-4 weeks old and then bottle feed 2-3 times per day. This makes for very friendly but well-mannered goats. Some people want them while they are fully dependent on bottles. In this case, we usually wait about a week to make sure they are developing well and really ready to go home.

How old will my baby goat be when it's ready to come home?

Boys must go home by 4 weeks and girls, by 6 weeks. We do this because under 6 weeks old the kids are still quite receptive to bottles. We do give them daily morning bottles, but as they get older and begin to eat more hay, bottles become less enticing. Bottle feeding is by far the best way to bond with your new baby goat. The ideal age is 3-4 weeks old. They are just beginning to eat and digest hay so they aren't as dependent on milk but still LOVE their bottle time. If you want a super friendly goat with that notorious "bottle baby" personality, we recommend one week or after they are disbudded.

What is required to transport my baby goat(s) to their new home?

They will be little, really little!! Most kids weigh around 7 lbs at 3-4 weeks. The very best way to take them home is to bring a friend or two and carry them home on a lap. Alternatively, a small or medium dog crate will fit two babies under 6 weeks old but it must fit INSIDE your vehicle. WE WILL NOT RELEASE KIDS TO RIDE HOME IN THE BACK OF A TRUCK OR TRAILER. Adults must be in a secured crate or trailer.

Can I buy bottles and/or fresh goats' milk from you?

Yes! Bottles are $10 each. Please let us know how many bottles you would like to purchase so we can make sure we have enough on hand. One or two bottles per baby is plenty. We will send babies home with about a 1/2 gallon of fresh milk per kid. If we have more available at your pick up, we can arrange to send extras home with you.

What formula do you recommend?

We do not use formula so we can't recommend any particular brand over another. This article goes over basic bottle feeding instructions as well as milk suggestions.

How are names chosen for the baby goats?

Every year, we pick a theme for our registered goats' names. This is the name that will be on the goats' registration papers and must be approved by us, fit within our theme and be unique. You can call your goat anything you would like; this is known as their "barn name". However, we do require approval for registered names. Wethers (neutered boys) do not come with papers but we still love to see everyone play along with the theme! Past themes have been 80's pop culture, classic literature, European history, plants/flowers and of course, food.

All goats born at our ranch will have the herd name Red Rooster at the beginning of their name. We like to add the sire's initials and then the unique name. This name must be 30 characters or less. For example, "Red Rooster MD Maverick" is born to the herd Red Rooster out of Maximus Decimus and is called Maverick. Occasionally, we will offer kids born at nearby ranches and those herd names may differ.

Can I visit my baby goat before he/she is ready to come home?

Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate visits to the ranch prior to your pick up date. We do our best to send you pictures and videos as well as post on our Instagram page. We do our best to answer texts and emails checking in on individual kids but we are not always able to give personal, daily updates.

What kind of goats do you sell?

We sell Nigerian Dwarf goats. They are miniature or "micro" dairy goats similar in size to a Pygmy goat. Their size is comparable to that of an average Labrador Retriever and weigh around 80 lbs full grown. Nigerian Dwarf goats are bred for their rich and sweet milk with the highest butterfat content of any goats' milk. Cows' milk is typically 4% and most goats' are at 6%; while ND's are between 6-8% making their milk more like half and half and very sweet. Breeders often choose Nigerian Dwarf goats for their herd because of their beautiful colors and super fun personalities.

We do not offer pygmy goats for sale at this time however, Nigerian Dwarf goats make excellent pets and are the most popular of the mini goat breeders because of their beautiful colors and outgoing personalities.

Is owning a livestock guardian dog (LGD) required to purchase goats from Red Rooster?

No, but we do strongly recommend having them if you can. Goats are very vulnerable to predators and having a trusted LGD on patrol 24/7 is priceless peace of mind.

What is an LGD? Livestock guardian dogs are specific breeds of dogs bred over thousands of years to bond and live with their flocks and herds as protection against predators. They are extremely maternal and protective by nature with very strong instincts. LGD breeds posses little to no prey drive unlike herding breeds. The most common breeds are Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherds. We have 4 Anatolian shepherds and they are worth their weight in gold.

What happens if I have to cancel or postpone my reservation?/Is my deposit refundable?

Deposits are non-refundable except at the sole discretion of Red Rooster Ranch. We typically allow for one postponement of a reservation without penalty. Deposits are forfeit if you are unable to complete your purchase within these two seasons. If we are unable to meet your reservation, we will refund you or offer you a roll-over into our next kidding season.

Paid reservation holders receive higher priority access to our knowledge and support leading up to kidding season. This type of access would normally be available only through our paid mentorship program.

Can I return a goat to you in the future?

Not usually. We have a very tight bio security system and usually do not allow returns. We are absolutely willing and ready to help you find a wonderful home should you need to re-home your goats for any reason. We understand that life changes happen and will support your change without judgement.

Do you offer stud service for does purchased from Red Rooster?

No, we do not offer stud service at this time.

What are your sales policies?

We have outlined our policies on this webpage.

Buying Goats in General

What questions should I ask a breeder?

The most important thing to look for is a breeder who produces healthy goats. You will want to ensure they have done bio security testing on their entire herd and enact sound quarantine practices. If you are buying goats for your own breeding/milking herd, be sure they have ADGA registration papers for their breeding stock and that you receive either a signed, original certificate or a registration application at the time of sale. You will want to find breeders who align with your practices and values. Ask 3 goat breeders their opinion and you'll get 10 answers! Everyone has their own way of doing things but only you will know what methods you are most comfortable with. Check out our Comprehensive Beginner's Guide to Buying Goats for a more detailed look at questions to ask prospective breeders.

What should I look for to ensure my babies are healthy?

When picking up your kids or adult goats from your breeder you will want to look for signs of respiratory or digestive issues. Poo should be solid and their back end free from crusted on feces. This is a sign they have recently had diarrhea. Any discharge from their eyes or nose should also be noted and addressed. If your kids are under 8 weeks old, you will need to bottle feed them. Ask your breeder to demonstrate the baby's bottle feeding proficiency either by video ahead of time or at the pick up appointment. We also strongly recommend treating for coccidia at 3, 6 & 9 weeks using Toltrazuril 5% or (a generic brand). There are some effective and trusted herbal worming protocols that we also have used and can recommend: Mollies Herbals and Land of Halavah.

Should I get boys or girls? Or one of each?

This is the question we get asked the most from new goat owners. Are girls, “does”, or castrated boys, “wethers”, better for pets. (Let’s just state right now with no hesitation that intact males, “bucks”, are NOT good pets and should not be considered. Intact males of most livestock species can be aggressive, and in the case of goats, STINKY. You would be setting yourself, and your beloved pet up for failure.) We don't recommend getting one of each or a breeding pair as they will each need their own same-sex companion(s). Read more on picking the right gender(s) for your herd.

How do I integrate a new goat(s) into an established herd?

Space is the key. If your herd is in a big open area with plenty of space for the new goat(s) to retreat, bullying should be at a minimum. However, there will be a long period of time where the bigger, older goats will be boss-man-boss and the younger ones will be submissive. As they grow up, this can change. You may see some head-butting and conflict as your babies get bigger and decide they want to move up in the ranks.

The main danger in bringing in a new goat, no matter the age or size, is the rest of the herd allowing the New Kid(s) to eat and drink. The best way to do this is to give the new goat(s) somewhere safe to eat on their own.

With babies, you can do this by giving them a separate area that has an access small enough that the adults can’t get in. This gives them a completely safe space to eat, drink, rest, etc where they can’t be bullied but they can still go in with the rest of the herd to snuggle and play. This is essential in a smaller pen situation.

Should I vaccinate my goats?

This is a hot topic and a very personal choice. We do not vaccinate our herd as our risks of disease are lower than the risks of the vaccines. Talk to your vet about risks in your area and weigh them out against the risks of each vaccine. The only typical one given to goats is the CDT.

What do I need to do to set up a milking herd?

If you're considering starting a milking herd of goats, you're embarking on a rewarding and sustainable agricultural endeavor. Owning your own dairy goats can provide fresh, nutritious milk and dairy products while offering a fulfilling farming experience. The first step is to select the best breed of dairy goats for our situation and then to find a reputable breeder. Sometimes, this is the same step. Having local breeders to work with can be a deciding factor in choosing your dairy goat breed.

Before bringing them home, you would need to establish a weather & predator proof home for them on your property. We strongly recommend becoming members of the American Dairy Goat Association aka ADGA and registering your herd name. ADGA could also be helpful in finding reputable breeders in your area to acquire your foundation breeding stock. Read more about getting your hobby caprine dairy started.

What characteristics are the most important when buying quality dairy goats?

In general, you want to find herds that have proven that their goats can produce milk and have desirable traits for dairy goats. Many herds participate in showing, linear appraisals and milk testing to prove out their herd's value. Each herd has their own goals and desirable traits they work towards but all agree that a solid dairy goat has a well attached udder and has easy to milk udder/teats.

Do registrations matter?

Yes! Registering your herd is the first step in building credibility however, not every registered goat is correctly bred and healthy. A lot of buyers will only buy registered goats so it's prudent when starting out to only buy from registered herds. We use ADGA (American Dairy Goat Association) and love their online system that allows us to access our account and herd information as well as register and transfer goats all online. They also have an in-depth genetics data base that allows anyone to access registered goats' pedigrees as well as plan out breedings. For more information on how to get started with ADGA, check out this article.

What do I need to know before I bring a goat home?

Before bringing a goat home, it's crucial to understand their specific needs and responsibilities. First, consider your local zoning and ordinances, ensuring they permit goat ownership. Goats require weather and predator proof housing as well as proper fencing to prevent escapes and access to suitable shelter and fresh water. Additionally, be prepared for regular healthcare, including vaccinations and hoof care. Finally, research the breed that best suits your needs and climate, and understand that goats are social animals, so they thrive with companionship. More information on getting ready for your new baby goat.

How do I know if my property is zoned for goats?

To determine if your property is zoned for goats, start by checking your local municipal or county government's zoning ordinances and regulations. These documents often outline the specific land-use rules for residential areas. Look for information on keeping livestock or farm animals, which should indicate whether goats are allowed. If zoning codes are unclear or you have any doubts, contact your local zoning or planning department for clarification. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding livestock regulations on your property.

Should I buy goats with or without horns?

Can I register or show a goat who has horns?

Goats with horns are accepted in the major registries but not permitted in shows. Another consideration is that some appraisal judges will not work with goats with horns during the appraisal session.

What does it mean if a goat is polled?

A polled goat means they will not grow horns. The polled gene is dominant meaning if a goat carries the polled gene, it will express and the goat will not have horns. Some goats are mistakenly disbudded and mis-registered making it seem like they have a hidden or recessive polled gene. There is such a thing as a polled scur that can occur when a small bit of horn grows. This usually happens when the kid is over 8 weeks old and is easily distinguished between a scur and an actual horn. Actual horns will be prominent by 4 weeks old. Note that the term "poll" also refers to the top of the goat's head. A "white poll" means there is white on the top of their head and nothing to do with their horn status.

What is the best time of year to buy a goat?

Nigerian Dwarf goats can breed all year round but most kids are born in the spring, January - June. If you know you want kids, find your breeder and get on their reservation list as soon as possible. Many reputable breeders are sold out of their spring kids before the kids are even born. Other breeds of goats only breed for spring kids.

How are goats with dogs?/Can I buy a goat as a companion for my dog?

One of the most commonly asked questions we get is, do goats get along with dogs? Our goats are raised with dogs but they don’t love them all. Our LGD's (livestock guardian dogs) are loved and trusted by the whole herd. Our labs and the other small dogs are tolerated but often the goats will charge at the smaller dogs to keep them away from the herd, especially their babies.

Each dog gives off a certain energy and the higher energy dog breeds may make the goats nervous and/or stressed. The goats may try to run the dog off, possibly injuring the dog. Or this fearful behavior may be returned by the dog resulting in injury to the goat.

Dogs are predators and goats are prey. Period. Dogs should never be left alone with goats, especially babies, until they have proven to be 110% trustworthy. Even a dog wanting to “play” can chase and scare a goat literally to death. We highly recommend having a professional dog trainer evaluate your dog's behavior around the goats prior to allowing them together.

Goats should never be acquired to be companions with a dog or dogs. They all may eventually get along just fine but it is not an appropriate pairing to do intentionally. We will not sell any single goat to a home that does not have an existing goat herd.

Do I need to own a buck to breed my does?

You do not need to own a buck to breed your does but you will need to find a breeder who either offers stud service, stud leasing, or semen sales. If you opt for the latter, you will also want to find a reproductive vet w/ AI (artificial insemination) experience.

Many breeders, us included, do not loan out or lease their bucks because the risk of bringing in disease far outweighs the income generated by these agreements. If you are fortunate enough to find someone willing to share with you, be sure to see a bio security blood test with all negative results for CAE, CL, Johnne’s and Brucellosis. The owner of the buck will likely ask for these results from you as well. Be sure results are recent, within 6 months.

Does Red Rooster Ranch offer stud service?

How do I decide which buck to use with each doe?

How do I use adga.org to create a breeding plan?

How many times a year is it safe to breed a goat?

What are your goat birth kit essentials?

What vitamins or supplements do breeding goats require?

Do I have to breed my does in order for them to produce milk?

How can I know and predict the color genetics of my goats?

How do goat genetics work?/Eye color, colors, and polled genetic breakdown.

How many babies can one doe have at once?

How long is goat gestation?

How does goat milk taste?

Are ND goats good for milking?

When can you start milking a goat /ND?

How often do goats breed?

Can I breed related goats?

When can I breed my young goat?

What size is safe to breed my yearling goat?

How do I train my goat to be milked?

How do I safely dry up a goat in milk?

How do I bottle-train baby goats?

Can I milk my goat while she is nursing her babies?

How much milk do goats produce?

Is raw goat milk safe to drink?

What can I use raw goat milk for?

Can I feed raw goat milk to my dogs/puppies?

What is DHIR?

What is milk testing?

What is linear appraisal?

Should I sign up for LA?

Should I host LA or find a local herd?

Do I have to LA all of my herd?

What are these numbers and symbols on my goat’s papers?

What is the value of registering my goat herd?

How do I keep good records for my herd?

How do I track breeding and due dates for my dairy goat herd?

Frequently Asked Questions - Buying Goats

This page is under construction- scroll down for q&a. If you don't see your question listed here, please contact us and we would be happy to answer it.

Buying/reserving goats from Red Rooster Ranch

Buying goats in general

Breeding and milking goats

Buying & Reserving Goats from Red Rooster Ranch

Buying Goats in General

This page is under construction- scroll down for q&a.
If you don't see your question listed here, please contact us and we would be happy to answer it.