Care of Mohair Goats

Mohair-producing goats are called Angora goats, and the hair they grow over most of their bodies is sheared and used for items such as clothing. Angoras originated in Turkey, but were exported to other countries beginning in the 19th century. They are considered a delicate breed of goat because of the energy they expend on fiber production. If Angoras are cared for well, they produce 8 to 16 lbs of mohair a year.

Things You'll Need

  • Tree leaves and rough plants
  • Hay
  • 4-ft electrical fencing
  • Clippers
  • Pens or stalls
  • Bone saw
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build a relationship with a veterinarian, and get your Angoras vaccinated for common goat diseases. Angoras are prone to parasites and pneumonia, in particular.

    • 2

      Provide the necessary nutrition to your Angoras for their health and optimal fiber production. Angoras eat rough plants, tree leaves and other growing plants, but when this is limited or unavailable, their diets should be supplemented with hay. Monitor their weight -- sheared young does should weigh at least 55 lbs, and sheared mature does should weigh at least 75 lbs at breeding time.

    • 3

      Provide extra feed to does before and after breeding, as this encourages the growth of hair follicles in kids and prevents abortions.

    • 4

      Provide shelter, such as indoor pens with bedding, to your Angoras, especially for the six weeks after shearing since they do not have enough body fat layers to keep themselves sufficiently warm without their hair. Kids are especially delicate in the cold and can die quickly.

    • 5

      Shear Angoras twice a year -- before they breed, and before they kid.

    • 6

      Avoid disturbing Angora does for several weeks after they kid, as this prevents kid loss. Provide feed, bedding and water in a central location to help prevent kid loss, as well.

    • 7

      Group single kids apart from twins and triplets, since single kids have access to more milk than each multiple and may be stronger and dangerous to them.

    • 8

      Provide appropriate fencing to keep predators out, and to keep goats in -- 4 foot electrical fencing is one kind used.

    • 9

      Clip Angoras' horns to remove the sharp points because goats are sometimes -- but not usually -- aggressive to humans, and are often aggressive to each other. They also are at risk of getting their horns caught in fencing.

    • 10

      Select bucks for their fine hair, which does not obstruct their faces. Leave bucks with does for six weeks during the breeding season, which is from September to December.