How to Raise Miniature Goats

Choose a pen and shelter that has space for the goats to run and play. The pen must have a fence that is at least 5 feet high that the goats are unable to squeeze through. The shelter can be any type of structure that keeps the goats clean and dry during rain or snow.

Buy at least two goats, but no more than one male. Goats are herd animals and can't live alone. Ideally, you would keep five or six goats together in your pen.

Keep the bottom of the shelter covered in clean, dry bedding. Goats hate to get wet and can get ammonia poisoning from dirty bedding. You can use a special goat bedding or regular straw.

Offer each of the goats a pound or two a day of goat feed, preferably at one morning feeding and one evening feeding. Give the goats free choice of all the alfalfa hay they can eat.

Offer the goats free choice of water. An automatic waterer will make sure your goats never run low, and some devices will even keep water from freezing in the winter.

Give the goats a climbing toy or picnic table to play on, but do not put it near enough to the fence to enable breakouts.

Worm your goats every six weeks.

Ask the farrier to trim your goats' feet every four to eight weeks.

Ask the veterinarian to examine and vaccinate your goats yearly.