*waves hello to saddle_tramp*

So, I'm planning for a small farm. And on that farm I want some goats, e-i-e-i-o. I'm looking for fiber and milk. Is there one goat that gives good fiber and a decent amount of milk? We wouldn't need as much as a gallon a day or anything.

We'll either be in southern MD or central FL, so Angoras are right out. I've read that cashmere is a generic name for goat hair, and that there are no specifically cashmere goats. What's the word on that?

As for harvesting, I've read about combing out the down and shearing. Which is better? I'd think combing would cause the animal less stress, but it sounds like it would take ages to get enough down to spin. Am I right? How much down can I get from a goat in, say, a year?

Also, about feeding-- I understand goats can't browse in the snow, but what if we're in FL, where it doesn't snow? Is it okay to let them browse year-round? Will we need to supplement with hay or grains or something?

I love learning new things. :)

Here I am, if you're looking for me.

I probably won't post a lot. But I need a place for my fic, and to read my friends' IJs, so here I am. If you know who I am, you know where else to find me. If not, then you can find me here.

I'll be moving all my stuff from LJ over here eventually, but I am lazy and easily distracted, so it probably won't be for a while.