Which Goats?

In making the decision to get some goats again (we miss the milk) we are at a juncture where we have no commitment to any particular breed and can start fresh.  So, what to do?  What are our goals?

I have decided that at this point in our lives, I don't want to sell herdshares.  I thoroughly enjoyed my herdshare customers, but I don't want to put that much time into milking and I don't have enough refrigerator space with our growing family to accomodate herdshare customers' fluctuating schedules.

I have decided that I don't want to sell animals.  I have made some lovely friends through the purchase and sale of goats, but selling (advertising, answering e-mails, phone calls, posting photos on the various boards, etc.) is really time consuming.  We are already pretty strapped for time as it is.  And, we like goat meat.  (Chevon, for those of you who prefer "beef" to "cow" and "pork" to "pig" as it were.)  It's higher in iron than beef and leaner than chicken without the skin, so it's really healthy, too.  I also met my fair share of crazies through the selling process, and I really don't have time for crazies.  My children and husband need my time more. 

So, since the milk will just be for us, I don't need a high production animal.  Since I will eat any that we don't keep, I want an animal that will make a good amount of meat and will not be expensive so I won't feel guilty *not* selling it.  Since I don't show and will not sell stuff, I don't even need an animal that can be registered.  In fact, why bother with that if this is for my own use? 

This is all very pragmatic and though the smart thing for us, it flies all over my tendencies toward goat snobbery.  I know of some lovely LaManchas for sale (I've always wanted to try them out) and they typically don't sell as well as goats with ears, so some of the same things could apply...  but I'd be tempted to buy a really fancy buck and register and sell kids and get in over my head again.  And the earless thing (they're not really earless, they just have little people-looking ears) creeps David out.

I am leaning toward Boer/Nubian crosses.  I know.  Nubians are loud and needy.  But they don't require shaving in the summer!  And the crosses should have some milk that is out of this world!  Boer milk is like liquid butter.  Only sweet.  I think I'm drooling just thinking about it!  David really likes the Boers, and though color is not important in a goat, I could play with color with Nubians in the mix.  (Do you hear me?  I'm going to have too many goats again, I can just tell!) 

First things first.  Lots to be done outdoors before goats can come home.  We'll get there!  One step at a time...