Information

Diet

Goats are picky eaters- they nibble everything but are just exploring. Goats love to eat brush-blackberry bushes, vines, small trees. They are not as interested in grazing on grass as cattle and horses are. That being said, if the area you want your goats in dries up, freezes or the vegetation becomes eaten down, you will have to feed your goats hay. On a smaller lot, it is usually necessary to start feeding hay in the fall, count on feeding hay in January and February in almost all situations. Your goats will be healthier and more disease resistant if you supplement with goat feed. Grain as a go to supplement is not suitable for goats and can cause metabolic diseases. Alfalfa in any form is helpful in the winter months, due to the protein content. Goats need access to a mineral block or loose minerals as well. All of this will help your goats fight off disease and parasites, will increase size, weight, healthy kids.

Water

Plenty of clean fresh water is as important as feed. If you can, warm or hot water in very cold weather helps your animals warm up.

Worms

Learn to monitor your goats for barber pole worms. They are deadly. Other parasites can wreak havoc on your herd, but all of them pale in comparison to dealing with this kind of worm.

Medicines, Vets

There is a lot of information online and in books and magazines that will help you learn about caring for your goats, products and tools that you should have on hand. For birthing problems and illnesses that require prescriptions or that you can’t diagnose, consult a vet that knows goats.

Shelter

Goats are much smaller than cattle and historically came from drier climates. They can not tolerate wet feet or wet beds. They need at least a three-sided shelter to get out of the wind, rain and snow. If you plan on raising goat kids, schedule the births for warm weather, or get a barn of some kind.

Fencing

Goats need fencing to protect them from predators and prevent them from wandering. Goats are escape artists, so plan your fencing carefully.

Other Animals

Dogs that are not raised with livestock should not be mixed with goats until you are very sure the dog will not chase them. Goats should not be confined with chickens- free range chickens are OK, but goats can’t live in a chicken coop, they will get sick. Goats are OK with horses or cattle, but I have had good and bad reports on goats with donkeys. Goats should not be kept in an area where deer spend a great deal of time- they have some common dangerous parasites and diseases. If you live near coyotes, have good fencing and preferably a guard dog for goats. I have never had any problems but have heard a wide variety stories- better safe than sorry.