IMPORTANT POLICIES - Chatterbox Acres
1. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO RETAIN ANY KID (regardless of reservation status).
2. RESERVATIONS/DEPOSITS
A. Reservations are considered AFTER retained kids are chosen. Chatterbox Acres always has first choice of kids born here.
B. Although uncommon, unforeseen circumstances may lead to a change in the availability of a kid.
C. When working through a reservation list, those with paid reservations are contacted first and are given preference over those with verbal reservations.
D. If you ask for a verbal reservation, it simply means you'll be notified of available kids. However, SEVERAL people may have verbal reservations, so if you receive a notification about available kids, others are likely receiving that same notification! Therefore, if interested in a kid, time is of the essence as availability of the kid can change at any moment! This is because kids are available on a first-come, first-served basis and no kid is held without a deposit.
E. Once messages or emails are SENT to those on the verbal reservation list, it may only be hours later when still-available kids are publicly-posted.
F. No goat will be held without a non-refundable deposit.
G. RESERVATION DEPOSITS AND DEPOSITS TO HOLD GOATS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE.
3. BOTTLE KIDS (read info below since kids usually leave here as bottle kids when 2-3 weeks old):
A. It is the buyer's responsibility to research bottle-feeding AHEAD of time and have all supplies and milk prior to purchase.
B. Buyer should be aware that feeding kids too much milk, increasing amounts too quickly, feeding kids too quickly, forcing kids to eat, etc, can have dire effects on kids, sometimes even fatal effects (as can be the case with abomasal bloat, floppy kid syndrome, etc.). Researching goat health issues ahead of time can help the buyer be able to prevent, identify, and properly respond to problems, if they arise.
C. Buyer must commit to feeding kids appropriate amounts until kids are a MINIMUM of 10 weeks of age and eating hay well.
D. We recommend feeding pasteurized goat milk. Starter goat milk is provided UNLESS kids have already been transitioned to whole cow's milk.
4. GOATS ARE HERD ANIMALS, SO THEY LEAVE HERE IN PAIRS (or more). A single goat will not be sold unless the buyer already owns goats of similar age and size. In some instances, when in the best interest of the goats, goats may only be made available in pairs.
5. STRESS FROM TRAVEL/TRANSITIONING TO A NEW HOME CAN LEAD TO ILLNESS:
A. Upon purchase, the risks of illness, injury, loss and the costs associated immediately transfer to the new owner(s).
B. Buyer assumes responsibility for the fact that the stress of a move and other environmental factors (including changes in climate, diet, shelter, care, companionship, etc.) can have unpredictable effects on goats (shipping fever, respiratory issues, coccidia, parasites, gi upset, etc).
C. Chatterbox Acres cannot be responsible for the health of your new goat(s) once it/they leave(s) our farm. Information on this website, information contained in links on our website, as well as any recommendations we may make are NOT substitutes for veterinary advice and care. It is the buyer's sole responsibility to be aware of and to practice proper goat management as well as already have access to a qualified veterinarian.
6. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. For biosecurity reasons, we will not accept back a goat once it has left our property. This is for the protection of our own herd's health as we have no way of knowing how the goat was cared for or what diseases it may have been exposed to after leaving our premises.
7. BREEDING ANIMALS IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE. Chatterbox Acres cannot and will not guarantee the show competitiveness of a goat, the animal's adult conformation, an animal's full grown height, nor can we guarantee the animal's current or future milk production. Please visit the adgagenetics database to research data regarding the animal and/or its relatives. Also be aware that, in addition to genetics, diet and management factor HIGHLY into milk production.
8. REGISTRATION:
A. In 2021, whenever possible, doe kids will be sold already ADGA-registered. New owners WILL need to transfer ownership of the kids through ADGA.
B. If adga.org is going through a computer system upgrade or update, then registerable kids will likely come with registration paperwork.
C. Male kids intended as wether kids WILL NOT come with any registration paperwork.
9. CAE TESTING: Although we do serology test for CAE and have always had negative CAE results, we cannot guarantee a goat's negative disease status beyond the actual date of laboratory testing (nor can other herds). Our last whole herd testing was started in 2018 and completed in 2019. All tested negative. Any new additions after the last whole herd test have also been tested.
10. GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING GOAT CARE/MANAGEMENT - PLEASE READ:
We are always happy to share the knowledge we have gained after having owned goats for a decade. However, please realize, goats have different needs on different properties. There is no one size fits all instructional manual for owning goats, and I feel it would be dangerous to suggest otherwise. Again, having a trusted veterinarian in your area is extremely important.
** Buyers need to dedicate themselves to being willing learners - this means read/research, attend seminars, find a laboratory that will run fecals, and please find a veterinarian qualified to properly diagnose conditions and properly prescribe medications for goats. You will often find conflicting information and opinions online and on forums. While some online sources have helpful information, when you have a sick goat, often there is not enough time to try to sift through that info or wait for online advice. You need a vet who can actually look at and appropriately diagnose and treat your animal.
1. WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO RETAIN ANY KID (regardless of reservation status).
2. RESERVATIONS/DEPOSITS
A. Reservations are considered AFTER retained kids are chosen. Chatterbox Acres always has first choice of kids born here.
B. Although uncommon, unforeseen circumstances may lead to a change in the availability of a kid.
C. When working through a reservation list, those with paid reservations are contacted first and are given preference over those with verbal reservations.
D. If you ask for a verbal reservation, it simply means you'll be notified of available kids. However, SEVERAL people may have verbal reservations, so if you receive a notification about available kids, others are likely receiving that same notification! Therefore, if interested in a kid, time is of the essence as availability of the kid can change at any moment! This is because kids are available on a first-come, first-served basis and no kid is held without a deposit.
E. Once messages or emails are SENT to those on the verbal reservation list, it may only be hours later when still-available kids are publicly-posted.
F. No goat will be held without a non-refundable deposit.
G. RESERVATION DEPOSITS AND DEPOSITS TO HOLD GOATS ARE NOT REFUNDABLE.
3. BOTTLE KIDS (read info below since kids usually leave here as bottle kids when 2-3 weeks old):
A. It is the buyer's responsibility to research bottle-feeding AHEAD of time and have all supplies and milk prior to purchase.
B. Buyer should be aware that feeding kids too much milk, increasing amounts too quickly, feeding kids too quickly, forcing kids to eat, etc, can have dire effects on kids, sometimes even fatal effects (as can be the case with abomasal bloat, floppy kid syndrome, etc.). Researching goat health issues ahead of time can help the buyer be able to prevent, identify, and properly respond to problems, if they arise.
C. Buyer must commit to feeding kids appropriate amounts until kids are a MINIMUM of 10 weeks of age and eating hay well.
D. We recommend feeding pasteurized goat milk. Starter goat milk is provided UNLESS kids have already been transitioned to whole cow's milk.
4. GOATS ARE HERD ANIMALS, SO THEY LEAVE HERE IN PAIRS (or more). A single goat will not be sold unless the buyer already owns goats of similar age and size. In some instances, when in the best interest of the goats, goats may only be made available in pairs.
5. STRESS FROM TRAVEL/TRANSITIONING TO A NEW HOME CAN LEAD TO ILLNESS:
A. Upon purchase, the risks of illness, injury, loss and the costs associated immediately transfer to the new owner(s).
B. Buyer assumes responsibility for the fact that the stress of a move and other environmental factors (including changes in climate, diet, shelter, care, companionship, etc.) can have unpredictable effects on goats (shipping fever, respiratory issues, coccidia, parasites, gi upset, etc).
C. Chatterbox Acres cannot be responsible for the health of your new goat(s) once it/they leave(s) our farm. Information on this website, information contained in links on our website, as well as any recommendations we may make are NOT substitutes for veterinary advice and care. It is the buyer's sole responsibility to be aware of and to practice proper goat management as well as already have access to a qualified veterinarian.
6. ALL SALES ARE FINAL. For biosecurity reasons, we will not accept back a goat once it has left our property. This is for the protection of our own herd's health as we have no way of knowing how the goat was cared for or what diseases it may have been exposed to after leaving our premises.
7. BREEDING ANIMALS IS NOT AN EXACT SCIENCE. Chatterbox Acres cannot and will not guarantee the show competitiveness of a goat, the animal's adult conformation, an animal's full grown height, nor can we guarantee the animal's current or future milk production. Please visit the adgagenetics database to research data regarding the animal and/or its relatives. Also be aware that, in addition to genetics, diet and management factor HIGHLY into milk production.
8. REGISTRATION:
A. In 2021, whenever possible, doe kids will be sold already ADGA-registered. New owners WILL need to transfer ownership of the kids through ADGA.
B. If adga.org is going through a computer system upgrade or update, then registerable kids will likely come with registration paperwork.
C. Male kids intended as wether kids WILL NOT come with any registration paperwork.
9. CAE TESTING: Although we do serology test for CAE and have always had negative CAE results, we cannot guarantee a goat's negative disease status beyond the actual date of laboratory testing (nor can other herds). Our last whole herd testing was started in 2018 and completed in 2019. All tested negative. Any new additions after the last whole herd test have also been tested.
10. GENERAL INFORMATION REGARDING GOAT CARE/MANAGEMENT - PLEASE READ:
We are always happy to share the knowledge we have gained after having owned goats for a decade. However, please realize, goats have different needs on different properties. There is no one size fits all instructional manual for owning goats, and I feel it would be dangerous to suggest otherwise. Again, having a trusted veterinarian in your area is extremely important.
** Buyers need to dedicate themselves to being willing learners - this means read/research, attend seminars, find a laboratory that will run fecals, and please find a veterinarian qualified to properly diagnose conditions and properly prescribe medications for goats. You will often find conflicting information and opinions online and on forums. While some online sources have helpful information, when you have a sick goat, often there is not enough time to try to sift through that info or wait for online advice. You need a vet who can actually look at and appropriately diagnose and treat your animal.