Goat Care Essentials
Goats can make great additions to small farms or homesteads. They are endearing animals that can provide meat, milk, and fiber from their coats, help clear land, and even become friendly pets. However, there are some essential elements of proper goat care that need to be provided in order to keep goats healthy and thriving. This includes proper feeding, housing, health management, and more. This guide covers the basics that every goat owner needs to know.
Feeding Goats
Feeding is one of the most important parts of goat care. Goats are ruminant animals, meaning they are able to digest plants and hay through a four-chambered stomach. Goats should be fed a balanced diet formulated specifically for goats, including:
Hay
Goats should have unlimited access to hay at all times. Good grass hay provides nutrition and fiber that facilitates rumen health. Hay should be fresh, green, leafy, and free of mold. Legume hays like alfalfa are higher in protein and nutrients but should be fed in limited amounts as too much can cause urinary calculi in bucks.
Grains
Grains help provide carbs, protein, vitamins and minerals. Examples are oats, barley, corn, and goat-specific blends. Feed according to age and production level, around 1⁄2 pound per 100 lbs of body weight per day.
Clean Water
Fresh, clean water must always be available. Goats tend to drink more when eating dry feeds so pay attention to intake. Provide shelter and heat sources to prevent freezing in winter.
Loose Minerals
Loose minerals formulated specifically for goats should always be available to ensure goats get important vitamins and minerals their hay and grains don’t provide. They will lick as needed.
Browse and Grazing
Goats should have opportunities to graze on pasture grasses, woody shrubs, brush, leaves, branches and other roughage. This provides essential nutrients and keeps their rumen healthy.
Goat Shelters
Goats need a draft-free shelter where they can stay protected from wet weather and extreme heat and cold. The shelter should have proper ventilation and be cleaned regularly to prevent disease. Bed with fresh straw.
Size
The shelter should provide a minimum of 15-20 square feet per standard goat. Be sure to provide enough room for all goats to lay down. Larger breeds may require more space per animal.
Location
The shelter should be centrally located near paddocks and pasture areas, preferably with southern exposure and natural wind protection. Good drainage is essential. Consider elevation to avoid flooding.
Construction
Use weather resistant materials like treated lumber floors and tin roofing. Dirt floors stay warmer in winter but require very deep bedding. Close up any gaps to prevent drafts but allow adequate ventilation. Insulation helps regulate temperature.
Doors
Doors should be wide enough for equipment and large enough for horns. Allow 10 square feet of door space per animal. Sliding doors prevent escape. Hardware cloth over windows prevents breakage. Have doors face south when possible.
Bedding
Replace wet bedding frequently to stay clean and dry. Straw or waste hay works well. Let pens sit empty to allow sun to kill disease organisms between groups of animals.
Feeders and Watering Equipment
Install wall mounted feeders to minimize contamination and competition allowing all goats to eat. Automatic heated watering equipment keeps fresh water from freezing. Provide salt and loose mineral feeders for free access.
Fencing For Goats
Goats are notorious escape artists, so proper fencing is a must. Perimeter fencing should be very sturdy.
There are several good options:
Woven Wire Fencing
Also known as field fence, woven wire fencing usually has 6″ vertical stays and smaller openings at the bottom with larger openings towards the top. Goats will stick their heads through larger gaps and get stuck. Opt for smaller 4″x4″ openings throughout.
High Tensile Woven Wire Fence
This fixed knot fence is very strong and durable, perfect for perimeter fencing. Use a minimum 4″x4″ grid throughout for goat containment. It requires specialized tools for installation.
Chain Link Fence
While expensive, chain link fencing provides maximum security when properly installed. Use 2×4 inch openings. Bury the bottom 1 foot and angle it outward underground to deter digging.
Electric Fencing
Electric net or polytape fencing can be used for dividing pens and grazing areas. Multiple strands are most effective, with the lowest strand set at 8-10 inches from ground. Electric fencing requires proper grounding and consistent voltage flow to work. Not suitable for predator control.
Barbed Wire Fencing
Barbed wire fencing should never be used for goats as they are prone to get caught in it. It poses extreme risk for injury.
Wooden Fencing
Wooden livestock panels, picket fences or rail fencing are not secure enough perimeter choices, but can be used for cross fencing and pens. Opt for more visible styles to prevent animal injury.
Routine Hoof Care
Since goats spend a lot of time on their feet, hooves require regular trimming and inspection to maintain health and prevent infection. Provide a clean, dust-free area for trimming. Carefully trim overgrown outer walls to restore flat weight-bearing surface, being careful not to cut soft sole area. Use hoof trimming shears and a file to smooth rough edges. Trim every 6-12 weeks.
Health Management
Preventative care is essential for healthy goats. Key aspects include:
Vaccinations
Certain annual vaccines help prevent common goat illnesses like tetanus and enterotoxaemia. Kids should be vaccinated according to a veterinary-recommended schedule. Does require boosters 1 month prior to kidding.
Parasite Control
Both internal and external parasites can plague a goat herd. Establish a deworming schedule based on fecal testing instead of the calendar. Provide deep bedding, rotated pastures and good sanitation for external parasite control. Never allow manure piles near shelters or feed.
Hoof Inspection
Overgrown hooves impact mobility and health. Check all goats periodically for overgrowth, cracks, infection, rot and abscesses. Trim as needed every 6-12 weeks.
Regular Condition Scoring
Hands on examination assessing body condition on a scale from 1 to 5 helps identify weight issues before they become severe. An ideal score is 3. Use the score to guide nutrition adjustments.
Quarantine
Quarantine and monitor any new herd additions or goats returning from shows for at least 2 weeks before allowing contact with the herd to prevent disease introduction.
Biosecurity
Restrict visitors and disinfect shoes/clothes/hands that come in contact with outside herds to protect from serious contagious diseases.
Breeding Soundness Exams
Annual wellness exams allow veterinarians to assess fertility soundness, dental health, heart health and more in breeding bucks and does. Testing can prevent breeding failures or birthing complications.
Signs of Illness Requiring Action
It’s important to monitor animals daily for any signs of illness and contact a veterinarian promptly when noticed. Major warning signs include:
- Loss of appetite, decreased chewing cud
- Weight loss
- Lethargy, weakness, stumbling, struggling to stand
- Difficulty breathing, open mouth breathing
- Chronic cough or nasal discharge
- Diarrhea
- Grinding teeth or jaw pain while eating
- Lameness
- Swelling of body parts
- Any unusual discharge
By staying informed on basic goat care and committing to providing what they need to thrive, goat owners will be well equipped for success. Following best practices for feeding, housing, hoof care, and health will lead to happy, productive animals. Every goat owner should have an established relationship with a veterinarian specialized in goats prior to acquiring animals to ensure medical needs can be promptly addressed. With good management techniques, goats can be a cherished part of the family farm for years.
