How to Raise & Breed Goats for Meat

Set Up Housing

• 1

  Fence off an area of pasture or dry lot using high tensile or woven wire that is high enough that the goats cannot jump over the fence. Have enough fencing materials to set up different pens as needed.

• 2

  Build a shelter or adapt an existing shelter to give goats some protection from extreme weather. Be sure there is enough room in the shelter for multiple pens.

• 3

  Set up water troughs to give goats access to fresh water. Periodically empty and clean the troughs to avoid stagnation and algae buildup.

• 4

  Place feed bunks in an area outside of the shed. A covered feed bunk will help keep rain out of the feed.

• 5

  Use hay racks to feed hay and minimize waste.

Pick Goats

• 6

  Pick a breed of goats intended for meat production, rather than a breed that is intended for dairying. Boer goats are a popular choice for meat production.

• 7

  Purchase a few female goats (called "does") for breeding. Have your veterinarian check the health of the does before breeding.

• 8

  Decide whether you will breed using artificial insemination ("AI") or using a male goat (a "buck").

• 9

  If you use artificial insemination, contact your veterinarian to get recommendations for a local AI technician. If you purchase a buck for your herd, be sure it is not related to your does to avoid birth defects.

• 10

  If you use a buck, build a separate pen for him as he will need to be isolated from the does from time to time.

Breeding

• 11

  Breed goats between August and March. If you use a buck, build a pen to isolate him from the does during the non-breeding months.

• 12

  Wait 150 days for does to start having kids. Check your does regularly to monitor their pregnancies.

• 13

  As soon as possible after a doe gives birth, dip the naval cords of kids in an iodine solution to prevent disease.

• 14

  Build a separate pen for weaning. Wean kids at about three months of age.

• 15

  Put weaned kids in their own pen. Give them ample feed.

Marketing Goats

• 16

  Sell goats through a local livestock auction, if there is one nearby, or through the classified ads section of a local newspaper or online service.

• 17

  Network with other goat breeders and local farmers to sell goats directly off your farm.

• 18

  As your does age, keep the best of your female kids as replacements. If you use a buck, be careful not to let him breed his daughters; either purchase a new buck or swap bucks with another breeder.

• 19

  Reinvest profits from the sales of goats to your herd's genetics.