How to Raise Meat Goats on a Small Acreage

Goats are very adaptable creatures, and although they can thrive in large, open spaces, they can also do well in smaller areas. However, you must consider certain things when you raise a meat goat in a smaller area, such as protecting them from predators; keeping them healthy; and making sure they get the proper nutrients, since they won't be exposed to the same amount of pasture as goats in larger areas. Other than those considerations though, raising meat goats on a small acreage is very similar to raising them on a large pasture.

Things You'll Need

  • Fencing
  • Dogloo
  • Deworming medication
  • Water trough
  • Hay
  • Protein pellets
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose an area that's at least 250 square feet. Goats need to roam around, and meat goats in particular like to graze. The more room you can spare for your goats, the better.

    • 2

      Read up on your city ordinances if you plan on raising goats within city limits. Some metropolises, such as Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; and Minneapolis, Minnesota, allow you to raise goats in the city. However, many cities still classify them as farm animals, and therefore ban them from being raised within city limits.

    • 3

      Set up a tall, sturdy fence around the area that you want to raise your goats. Chain-link fences will work well, but a cattle fence won't likely hold the goats in. Another reason a tall, sturdy fence is essential is because predatory animals hunt goats, and the goats must be protected from other outside threats.

    • 4

      Set up a dogloo or a large, covered shelter for your goats to hide in during cold storms. While goats are resilient creatures, they still need protection from nature's harsh elements.

    • 5

      Vaccinate and deworm your goats. It's especially important to vaccinate does -- female goats - against tetanus and overeating disease while they're pregnant. This will help prevent the baby goats from contracting the diseases while in the womb. If your goat has a very pinkish white or white lower eyelid, then it may be time to deworm it. However, goats need some worms in their intestines, so don't deworm too often, as this can actually be counterproductive, or even harmful, to your goats.

    • 6

      Keep a large trough filled with water in your goats' pen area at all times. Meat goats can drink up to 1.5 gallons of water per day, so the larger the trough, the better. If, however, you're pressed for space, then you'll simply need to refill their trough throughout the day.

    • 7

      Fill your area with plenty of shrubs, trees and weeds. While meat goats can eat grass, they prefer the shoots and twigs of shrubs and trees. The more grass you have, the more land you will need to support goats. An acre of land of pure grass, for instance, can only support one goat. If, however, that land is filled with brush, shrubs, trees and weeds, then you can support many more goats.

    • 8

      Supplement the goats' diets with protein pellets. Because your goats won't be able to forage as much as goats in larger areas, the goats are going to need to get their protein in other ways. Feeding them alfalfa hay, which is high in protein and low in fiber, is also a way to get them the nutrients they deserve.