How to Make Money with Goats

If you have a desire to have at least a few head of goats on your farm or large property, you may wish to know ways which you can make money by owning goats. You may even decide that getting a lot of goats may be a work from home answer if you are a dedicated animal lover.

Things You'll Need

  • Goats
  • Vet knowledgeable in goat care
  • Fenced property
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Instructions

    • 1

      The most obvious way to make money with goats is to breed them and sell the offspring. But wait, it's not that easy. To get the most money for your goats, you should be looking to buy registered goats, particularly those of high quality from lines either proven in the conformation show ring (national shows, not 4-H) or those who are proven to be superior milkers.

      Goat kids sold from proven show and top milkers command hundreds of dollars each. The mother of one of my doelings was purchased at a special sale for thousands.

    • 2

      Sell the milk. A good dairy goat will give you a gallon of milk a day or more. A gallon is approximately 8lbs. There are rules governing the sale of goat milk and this can be different in each area so contact your local FDA office or milk inspector. Easy to find a milk inspector by calling up a local cattle dairy owner. Normally, it is only legal to sell goat milk for non-human consumption but even then, the market is very good. Dog breeders adore it as do wildlife rehabilitators. You must learn how to safely milk your dairy goats and store your goat milk. Do your math carefully as to how many head of dairy goats you would need to start up a commercial dairy goat operation.

    • 3

      Sell the meat. Goat meat is quite expensive. There is quite a demand for it in ethnic markets. You will also find that there are two large meat kid pickups a year within the dairy goat world. These are held each Easter and Christmas season. Generally, these are people who drive state to state picking up dairy goat kids at predetermined locations. They pay a fairly hefty price for them. Boer goats are known for their meat quality and mix well with dairy goats. Other breeds that mix well for meat are Kikos and Tennessee Fainting Goats.

    • 4

      Rent them out. Goats are wonderful brush eaters. They are also small enough and agile enough to get into areas tractors and such either can't get into or would just rather not. The government itself rents time with large goat herds to clear out brushy areas prone to wildfires. California is a big state who makes use of these services regularly. A couple good dogs for herding and livestock protection and an easy-up easy-down electric fence system and your set to go. You should have a minimum of 50 head of goats for this. Any breed will do.