Goats and sheep: how to buy for milk, meat or wool at a fair price
First, what you want the animals for
Everything depends on the purpose. For milk, people look for a milking goat, such as a Saanen. For meat, Boer goats, and for wool, suitable wool breeds like merino sheep. A kid or lamb is cheaper, but it has to be raised to productive age, while an adult pregnant goat or ewe needs care right away.
Goats and sheep are herd animals: one animal alone is hard to keep and needs company. So count at least two, along with space, hay and a place to graze.
How to judge a milking goat
- Look at the udder: it should be soft and elastic, without lumps, and the teats should be even.
- Ask about her daily milk yield and over what period of lactation; it is good if you can watch the milking.
- Find out how many times she has kidded and when she was mated, if she is pregnant.
- Ask for a vet certificate and details of vaccinations and treatments.
- Check the hooves, coat, eyes and teeth: the animal should be lively and eat willingly.
What affects the price
Productivity, breed and papers. A pregnant or milking goat with a known yield costs more than a young one with no history. Breeding animals with papers cost more than ordinary ones. The price also depends on age, weight, the season (prices can change around festivals and in the breeding season) and the number of animals: for a bulk purchase you can sometimes negotiate differently. Do not forget transport.
What to put in your request
- type of animal — milking goat, sheep, buck, ram, kids, lambs;
- breed and age;
- purpose — milk, meat, wool, breeding;
- productivity — milk yield, number of kiddings, pregnancy;
- number and weight;
- vet papers — vaccinations, certificate, ear tags;
- district or village and budget.
Example: “I am looking for a milking Saanen goat, 1.5 years old, after her first kidding, giving about 2 litres a day, vaccinated and with a vet certificate. Near Sydney, pick-up. Budget up to $360.”
How to compare offers
Check the breed, age, productivity and papers, not only the amount. Ask how the animal was fed, whether it had udder or hoof disease, and whether you can come and see the herd. A reliable seller is not afraid to show how the animals are kept.
How BlaBlaPrice works here
You write your request once on BlaBlaPrice, and owners reply in the chat with offers: the animal, price, terms. The platform shows the best-fitting offer first, and sellers compete for your request. Your contacts are opened only to the one you choose. See also how it works.
Look for other livestock in the “Farm animals” section, and for other pets see rodents.
