The Beginner’s Guide to Goat Farming
Goats are a great addition to many farms, as they can provide milk, fiber, meat, and more. Learn how to properly care for them.
Learn how to properly care for goats.
Many hobby farmers enjoy raising goats. This may be because of their quirky personalities, their relatively low cost of upkeep, or their practical uses, such as providing milk, fiber, and meat.
If you are considering introducing these intelligent little rascals to your farm, learn about necessary goat care and upkeep with Agrimaster.
Housing
Goats do not require the Taj Mahal of barnyard buildings. A three-sided shed that blocks the wind and rain will keep them happy and healthy. However, if you live somewhere that experiences colder winters, we suggest building a fully-enclosed shelter to keep them warm.
Plan on building a shed that provides 10 to 15 square feet of space per goat, if they also have outdoor space.
Installing a concrete floor is a bit of an added expense, but many farmers find they make cleaning and upkeep a lot easier. Use a thick layer of bedding, such as straw or wood shavings, to cover the floor.
Fencing
When fencing your property for goats, keep in mind that they are commonly referred to as “little Houdinis” for their ability to escape many fence types by jumping, climbing, or chewing through them.
That being said, many farmers use woven wire fencing that is at least four feet tall and held up by sturdy wooden posts. You should place electric fence wires near the top and bottom of the fence to keep the goats in and the predators out.
If your goats are particularly talented escape artists, we suggest using stock panels for fencing.
Feed and Nutrition
It is a myth that goats can eat everything from tin cans to old shoes. They may chew on objects to see if they’re plants, but eating inanimate objects would make them very sick.
Goats are browsers, which means they like to eat shrubs, small trees, berries, twigs, and other types of plants. They are not solely grass grazers like sheep, so a pasture that is partially wooded is perfect for goats.
In addition to browsing, goats should also have fresh water, a high-quality goat feed, hay (if extra roughage is needed), vitamins, and minerals. You will typically find the proper vitamins and minerals for goats in the form of a feed mineral or salt block.
Goats can easily become sick if their food is moldy. So we suggest storing their food in plastic trash cans with lids, and keep them off the damp ground.
Please note, goats can get very sick from eating certain plants. Please research and remove plants that are toxic to goats, such as tomatoes and milkweed, from their pasture.
Healthcare and Grooming
Exercise is essential for a goat’s physical and emotional health. Goats are not happy to stand around in the field all day. They are very intelligent and get bored easily. They love toys and goat “playgrounds,” which give them opportunities to climb.
Goats also must have playmates, so don’t plan on getting just one goat. They need friends!
With all this goat play there are bound to be accidents. So stay prepared with a goat first aid kit. Ask your veterinarian what they suggest you include in the kit.
Also, ask your vet about their suggested deworming and vaccination schedules. These are very important to keep goats healthy.
Just like many animals, goats require regular bathing and brushing. They will also need to have their hooves trimmed once a month to prevent bending, cracking, and infection.
Whether you are thinking of getting goats for their milk, fiber, meat, or just to keep as pets, we hope this beginner’s guide to goat care will get you on your way toward a future of many goat adventures!
For more guides and how-tos like this one, check out our Blog.