We have bought some Boer Goats and have been Rasing them for about 6 months. Was thinking about taking one in to be processed for are frezzer. Is a Billy Goat ok for this ? Also what would the best weight be to do this at , and what is that the best weight for selling them at the sale Barn?

-- Vince Redinger (redinger@southwind.net), October 20, 2001

Answers

When I asked a neighbor what the best age to butcher our steer was, he said "when do you want beef?" Billy (or buck) goat has a little more "flavor" than whethers do, I don't find it offensive, some might. Sales barns take anything, that personally, is a place I have decided not to buy or sell at. Tana

-- Tana Cothran (tana@getgoin.net), October 21, 2001.

There is a skill to making money selling goats. First is to know your market. Do the meat guys who buy at the local auctions want intact bucks? Muslims want this. The Mexican population aroung us will only purchase very young 3 to 5 month old kids. If you were to sell an intact buck through the barn early fall he would fetch more for a breeding buck, unless he was to young. Does very bred or with nursing kids fetch the most. The biggest profit is to walk with a goat infant kid in hand selling kid, bottle and milk, instant profit, the easiest touch is grandparents with grandkids in tow, and if a doeling put a ribbon around its neck. Finding an at the farm buyer for your meat animals is always the best bet.

With Boers being year round breeders, it isn't like dairy, where you can wait for March, the buck goes out of rut, clean him up and butcher him with no problems. Even 9 month old bucklings can be stinking if you have does around them, if any of the hair gets on the meat from sloppy butchering it will smell up the meat, just go pet your goat and find out! If the first goat you eat is a buck, you likely will not get your family to eat goat again! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), October 21, 2001.

Billy (or buck)is find in a curry, but for most people it's way to strong. in general castrate shortly after birth any bucks you dont want for breeding and want for meat.

-- (julian_young@nl.compuware,com), October 25, 2001.

I listed goat and lamb holidays for people a while back .I am taking mine to sale on Dec 15th to hopefully get the most money .

-- Patty {NY State} (fodfarms@slic.com), October 26, 2001.

How old is the buck? Since you're smack dab in the middle of rutting season he'll probably taste "bucky" no matter what. If he's under 5 months he'll only be a little gamey. We've elastrated bucks at three months. They had a day of mopeing before returning to play, and friends have elastrated yearlings. That might be an option. We find them "sweetening" after about a month. If you really want to eliminate this guy, you might try brining the meat in a vinegar-brine (1 c. vinegar and 1/2 c. salt per gallon of water.. some bay leaves) for a few hours or overnight if he's over 6 months old. In the future, if you're planning on raising goats for home-use meat, castrate as soon as the testicles descend.. in our breed (Santa Theresas) they are born descended most of the time.

-- Ellen Wright (gardenfarm@earthlink.net), October 27, 2001.