The Breed

The American Guernsey goat was developed in the US using genetics from the rare Golden Guernsey breed from the UK.  Their coat is golden in color, varying from dark gold to light gold, and they are the smallest of the standard sized dairy goat breeds.  We find that the breed's disposition is very similar to a golden retriever.  Kids love to crawl in your lap and fall asleep, and this tendency does not seem to fade with time.  The goats are very social animals and will follow you around the field seeking your attention.  When describing my goats in the section below, I had to refrain from saying the important things like "very friendly, very personable, sweet, goat" because frankly, they all fit that description.   

The American Guernsey is FINALLY recognized as a breed by the American Dairy Goat Association.  Our goats are either registered with the British Goat Society or the Guernsey Goat Breeders of America.  They will be re-registered with the ADGA when that becomes possible.  There is still a great deal of work to do populating the database with older goats before our goats can get in!

We are members of the American Dairy Goat Association, the Guernsey Goat Breeders of America, and The British Goat Society.  

This is a complicated question.  The true Golden Guernsey is a rare breed of dairy goat from Guernsey in the Channel Islands.  They can not be imported into the U. S.  A few embryos were imported here in the late 90's, and the male progeny from that event have been used to "breed up" to the equivalent of a Golden Guernsey using does from dairy breeds here in the U.S..  At the apex of breeding, the progeny of these matings are called British Guernsey.  Along the way to this apex status, progeny that are at least 87.5% BG (and meet breed standards) are termed American Guernsey.  

Figuring out the status of a goat kid is quite complex, at least for me.  Much of the confusion relates to whether the kid is going to be registered with the British Goat Society or with the American Dairy Goat Association.  If you are seeing designations like "Herd Book 1, Herd Book 2, and British Guernsey", you are almost certainly dealing with a kid that is, or can be, registered with the BGS.  If you are seeing designations like "American Guernsey 1, American Guernsey 2, and Purebred Guernsey", you are almost certainly dealing with a kid that is, or can, be registered with the ADGA.  And sometimes, kids are registered with both societies.

Additionally, the Breeding Up Program is very complicated.  Your best bet is to study this section on the GGBoA's website, because I am still struggling with it myself.  Whether the progeny from a mating is bred up or not is determined, in part, by the status of the sire, and often the status of the sire and dam's parents.  It also depends on whether the kid is a doe or a buckling, as bucklings require one more generation to meet the same status as their sisters, at some levels.  

What does it all mean?  Well, that is up to you.  Some folks feel that the breed standards developed by the Breeding Up Program, leading towards registration with the BGS, are somewhat "elite".  They embody the characteristics closest to the Golden Guernsey.  Others accept the fact that we will never truly have Golden Guernseys here in the US, and feel the ADGA standards embody the characteristics of what these goats really are... an American Guernsey breed.  

The important thing to remember is this:  any kid, American Guernsey, British Guernsey, HB1, HB2, Purebred all share the wonderful characteristics of the breed:  they are smaller in stature, are great milkers, and have almost dog-like personalities.  Their colors capture the shades of the sun, from a pale morning sunrise over a sleepy wetland..... to a powerful golden sunset over fields of grain.  Only concern yourself with the status of the kid if you are interested in a breeding up program, with the focus of adding varied genetics to the gene pool and improving the characteristics of the breed.  Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the weeds.  I know I do.  But when I go into the goat stall at night to feed them their final meal and kiss them goodnight, I don't love the BG any more than the AM.  They are all wonderful friends and they will do their best to please you.  And dismantle the barn.  Because that is what goats do.

Erect ears – color must be shades of gold, ranging from very pale flaxen cream to deep russet or bronze. Full or partial roaning; white patches; white face; star/blaze are acceptable. The golden body color should be dominant, with no preference shown to any shade or pattern. Hair may be short or long and flowing or a combination of both. A long curtain, skirt, and/or dorsal fringe of body hair are desirable, although not required to meet standard. Skin color must display a gold tone, ranging from peachy- flesh to orange-gold in one or more of these places; muzzle, ears, eyes, under tail, mammary or scrotum.

Our goats are pampered pets.  The 6 does share a 12x12 stall in our horse barn where they are safe and cozy during the night.  They are fed local first cut hay, a natural vitamin supplement, and a very small amount of grain each day.  Their stall connects to a hilly goat pasture, which is where they spend their time during the day, climbing natural ledges, snoozing in the forest, or munching down on our pasture grasses.  They are pampered, but they are not spoiled.  They go outside during the day regardless of weather (they hate rain), and have learned to seek shelter in the run in shed during the summer, or snack on dry hay in the nearby pop-up tent during the winter.  Their stall is cleaned out every day, and during their dinner they are brushed, petted, and smooched.  

We do vaccinate our animals for CDT and rabies each year.  We feed them a natural dewormer supplement, conduct fecal tests to ascertain parasite load, and  treat them prophylactically in the fall for external parasites.  The herd is clean for all diseases with individuals periodically tested for  Cae, CL, and Johnes.  

Kidding season typically starts in April, with kids ready to go to their new home in 8 to 10 weeks.  Rebates are given to 4-H families that are committed to showing this breed and allowing our farm to be recognized.  

Please send us an email if you are interested in purchasing a kid.