Goats are considered to be high commitment due to their curious personalities. They can get into a bit of trouble if they are not properly cared for. We will be going over the environment, food, known issues, seasonal care and a few other things in between.
The Ideal Goat Environment
Goats are considered social and therefore you need at least two goats at a time. But that also means you will need the space to house at least two goats. The expected spacing is ¼ acre minimum per goat. Keep in mind the bigger the area the less frequent cleaning needs to be. A larger space will also allow you to provide more stimulating environments for the animals.
The area should be fenced-off with a fence that is at least 4-5 feet in height. This is because goats do have a bit of a vertical so escaping is possible if the fence is lower. Be sure that there are no platforms near the fence that may help with an escape plan. The fenced-in areas should be on a good draining surface or in a higher area.
Goats do not like getting wet and it is difficult for them to stay dry. This is because goats do not have the waterproofing oils many other animals have. This lack of natural waterproofing means that huts and hideaways are a must-have. You want your goat house to be large enough that the animals can walk in, turn around, stand, sit and stretch.
Goats love to explore and you will figure this out very early on. But exploring for them means nibbling and chewing to determine what everything is. This means fixtures, cables, knobs, lips are all fair game. If your water buckets or feeding container have a bitable end they will be nibbled! Try placing anything harmful well out of reach from the goats. This includes areas surrounding the pen area where the goat can wiggle his head too.
If goats had a superpower it would be escaping. You will need to goat-proof any gates or latches you have in the pen. Their mouths are notorious for going around the fence and lifting latches. To keep the goat occupied with other adventures be sure to supply things like wooden structures, trees and other natural odd-shaped objects. XXL hard plastic balls are also a goat favourite.
If you are ever in doubt be sure to use resources such as your vet, or the Connect To The Land Facebook page to gain insight for other goat keepers.
What Goat Breed Is Best?
When looking for the perfect goat breed you want to look for physical, behavioural, & production characteristics you desire. If you are looking for more dairy products you will want to consider a bread that requires twice-daily milking such as a Saanen. Or if you just want a pet and have limited space pygmy goats are always fun.
Keep in mind what sex you decide on. Males that have not been neutered do not make good pets and it is ideal to simply rent them when needed for procreation. If you choose to keep a castrated male also keep in mind that they will still try to play fight. This means trimming horns is a must to avoid any sort of injury.
Check List For A Healthy Goat
Once you have chosen the breed and sex of the goat you want it is time to look at their health. If you want to be very proficient in the selection you can also get a vet to look over the animal before making the purchase. But some really quick checks you can do on your own include:
â— Ears should be erect - Except for breeds that naturally have droopy ears.
â— Eyes should be clear and free of discharge, membranes around the edges
of the eye should be a healthy pink colour
â— The coat should be clean and glossy, and you should look out for areas of hair loss or scab. Any areas that look odd may be from a behavioural or parasite issue.
â— Check the rear end for any evidence of diarrhea. As well as weight and physique should be healthy.
What Should Your Vet Look For On The First Visit?
When it comes to the vet you can choose what the first check-up will look like. But there are five main things the vet should be taking into consideration.
Vaccinations - consider getting a list of current vaccines and dates
Parasite controls - mostly worms
Foot care - hoof trimming and a quick look at any sores.
Disease control - between new and old goats as well as for cohabitating scenarios.
Pregnancy Check - This is only needed for older female goats that were cohabitating with males.
What Should You Feed Goats?
What you choose to feed a goat is completely up to your budget. The food choices can include grain feed, free-range, kitchen scraps. Chaffhaye, & hay. Feel free to mix and match these as you see fit. But ultimately the selection will come down to what time of year it is and what is most available.
One item you always need to have available is minerals. The best choice is a loose mineral formula rather than the blocks. These should be served in a mineral feeder that is conveniently placed. All other foods that aren’t free range should also be in a feeder to ensure they don’t get soggy and wet.
Also, keep in mind this list of plants that are poisonous to goats when feeding kitchen scrapes or determining pen placement.
Poisonous plants include:
- Azaleas
- China berries
- Sumac
- dog fennel
- Bracken fern
- curly dock
- eastern Baccharis
- Honeysuckle
- Nightshade (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant)
- Pokeweed
- redroot pigweed
- black cherry
- Virginia creeper
- Crotalaria
