The price of a goat can vary significantly, depending on several factors including:

Breed: Different breeds have different purposes (meat, milk, fiber, pets) which can affect their value.

Age and Sex: Younger goats and breeding animals (especially bucks with superior genetics) typically cost more than older goats or neutered males (wethers).

Quality: Show-quality goats or those with proven breeding potential will command higher prices than pet-quality animals.

Registration: Registered purebred goats are often more expensive than unregistered ones.

Location and Market Demand:

Prices can vary by region and fluctuate based on seasonal demand, with higher prices in late winter and early spring and lower prices in the summer.

Price ranges

Pet-quality kid: $200 – $500
Breeding-quality doe (female): $500 – $1,500

Breeding-quality buck (male): $1,000 – $3,000 or more

Show-quality goat: $2,000 – $5,000 or more

Registered purebred miniature goat (e.g., Nigerian Dwarf, Pygmy): Up to $500

Unregistered Nubian doeling: Under $200

Unregistered Nubian doe in milk: $200 – $400

Wethers (castrated males): $100 – $200

Boer goat doe (quality, registered): $600

Boer goat buckling (untested, good breeding lines): $1,200

Considerations

Buying from a breeder: Generally more expensive but offers more information about lineage, health, and quality.

Adoption: Can be less expensive, sometimes as low as $40-$80 for a Pygmy goat, and may include health records.

Goat dairies: Some may even give away bucklings for free.

Local auctions or online marketplaces (e.g., Craigslist, Facebook groups): May offer cheaper goats but require careful assessment of health and temperament.

Note: It’s always advisable to ask about health records and ensure the goat has been tested for common diseases like CL, CAE, and Johne’s, regardless of where you purchase it.