Goat Raising for Beginners

Whatever your reason for purchasing a goat, it can be a rewarding experience. Not only do they produce delicious milk and cheese, some can be surprisingly affectionate and make good companions. They can have several other purposes as well, including breeding, showing or brush cleanup. There are several different breeds of goats, which can generally be broken down into three categories: meat goats, dairy goats and other.

  1. Buying a Goat

    • When buying a goat, aim to purchase the animal from a goat ranch, breeder or a local 4H group; these sources will generally provide you with a healthy goat. Before making the purchase, be sure to observe the goat to ensure that it is healthy and happy, and ask the owner for a medical history, immunization records and if the animal has any medical issues that you should be aware of. Inspect the goat with a fine-tooth comb for goat lice, which can be easily spotted and could infect other animals in your home. Also beware of CAE, a joint disease that occurs in goats. Keep in mind that goats are social animals, so it's generally better to purchase more than one.

    Feeding

    • By nature, goats prefer to graze, so goats thrive when they have pasture plants available to them. These plants are high in energy and protein and include millet, sudan grass, bahiagrass, sorghum and a mixture of grass, clover and grain. During winter months, hay is the primary source of nutrients; legume hays, such as alfalfa, are typically higher in protein. You'll also need to supplement the goat's diet to ensure they get the minerals they need. The most important minerals for the goat are salt, calcium, phosphorus and vitamins A, D and E. Many farm or pet supplies stores sell a pre-mix of these minerals. Finally, it is important to ensure that goats have water available to them at all times; an adult goat can drink up to 1-1/2 gallons of water a day.

    Housing

    • Goats don't have many requirements when it comes to housing; the animals simply need a clean, dry place to stay. The pen should be well ventilated and free from any drafts, but goats can withstand cold temperatures if necessary. The pen should also be secure enough to keep out any predators. Allow room for each goat to have about 20 square feet of space. The flooring can consist of gravel or sand, and sawdust, ground cornstalks or straw can serve as bedding. In addition to the pen, you should also build a fence around your yard to further protect against predators and to ensure your goats don't escape.

    Milking

    • If you have a dairy goat, you'll need to milk the goat regularly. To do this, simply start at the top of the teat and squeeze the milk down the teat and out. Be careful not to yank the teat or pull down, as this will damage the udder.