PET GOATS
Goats make treasured pets, they will bond to you and love you and need you for life, but it's important to realize that goats are not dogs or cats. They have very different needs and you must do your homework BEFORE you buy one to make sure your sweet Darling is well cared for and healthy.
A dog or cat can spoil us when it comes to simple maintenance... a goat needs much more in the way of feeding, equipment and care.
So pull up a chair, and read on! We will try to be as thorough as we can to give you a clear idea of what you are getting into when you add a goat fur-baby to your household.
FIRST UP find a Vet who will provide care when you need it.
SECOND choose a Breeder (like us) who will sell you a healthy goat or two, and be a resource to you if needed. Goats NEED company, they cannot be left alone without a pet companion if you want a happy, healthy goat.
A neutered boy goat is called a Weather by the way, and makes a good companion buddy for either a female or another male goat.
HOUSING & SPACE REQUIREMENTS...
Your little Sweeties will need a place of their own outside. You can have them indoors with certain accommodations, but they need to be able to be outside and to play freely. They also must have a safe, comfortable place to stay when you are away. Here are some recommendations to consider.
YARD SPACE & FENCING...
Your goats will need space outside to romp and play - measure out 10' x 15' for EACH goat, and install high fencing (4' to 5' tall) that is not wide enough to squeeze through.
Their Shed or Goat House needs to give them complete relief from WIND and SUN, and be well ventilated. Goats don't struggle so much with cold if they are outdoor goats, but they must be able to get in out of all wind and rain and sun.
Goats are incredible climbers and jumpers, so you can't have structure or things in their pen or laying around that they can get up on and then use to jump OVER fencing or onto things that they shouldn't.
A FEW CAUTIONARY STORIES...
I knew one Owner who built a sturdy log hut for his goats for outdoor shade, but one of his goats got on top and her leg went through and got broken and crushed one udder. The udder never recovered.
Another time, an Owner left a sheet of Plywood standing up in a room where the goats were. Overnight with their romping, it fell over and crushed a baby. The baby was trapped all night long and suffered brain damage.
You must think of this type of thing, because goats are bouncy little things that are curious and love to push boundaries.
Your little Sweeties will need a place of their own outside. You can have them indoors with certain accommodations, but they need to be able to be outside and to play freely. They also must have a safe, comfortable place to stay when you are away. Here are some recommendations to consider.
YARD SPACE & FENCING...
Your goats will need space outside to romp and play - measure out 10' x 15' for EACH goat, and install high fencing (4' to 5' tall) that is not wide enough to squeeze through.
Their Shed or Goat House needs to give them complete relief from WIND and SUN, and be well ventilated. Goats don't struggle so much with cold if they are outdoor goats, but they must be able to get in out of all wind and rain and sun.
Goats are incredible climbers and jumpers, so you can't have structure or things in their pen or laying around that they can get up on and then use to jump OVER fencing or onto things that they shouldn't.
A FEW CAUTIONARY STORIES...
I knew one Owner who built a sturdy log hut for his goats for outdoor shade, but one of his goats got on top and her leg went through and got broken and crushed one udder. The udder never recovered.
Another time, an Owner left a sheet of Plywood standing up in a room where the goats were. Overnight with their romping, it fell over and crushed a baby. The baby was trapped all night long and suffered brain damage.
You must think of this type of thing, because goats are bouncy little things that are curious and love to push boundaries.
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GOATS NEED THINGS TO PLAY ON...
You babies are meant to climb and bounce and play! They need solid structure to climb on with their best buddy. When they are with you they can play, take walks and go places, but in your back yard or back lot they need safe structures to occupy them.
Some people bury tires of all different heights about half way down in the yard for them to jump on, some people put large log sections that won't turn over with the goat weight... some actually have play sets for them. Get creative and build it solid and strong!
Some people bury tires of all different heights about half way down in the yard for them to jump on, some people put large log sections that won't turn over with the goat weight... some actually have play sets for them. Get creative and build it solid and strong!
THE RIGHT FOOD, SUPPLEMENTS & EQUIPMENT...
Here you have pictured all the tools, feed and supplies you need to have BEFORE you bring home your two sweet fur-babies the first time. You also need to have your Shed and fencing in place.
We have listed places to get these items, but you can find them other places as well. One thing not shown in a brush. They need their coats brushed regularly!
We have listed places to get these items, but you can find them other places as well. One thing not shown in a brush. They need their coats brushed regularly!
Goats need specific food, hay and Supplements to stay healthy. Please understand that you must commit to this for their sake. If you can't afford the daily HAY, FEED and SUPPLEMENTS they must have then please DON'T get goats.
Goats are NOT grass eaters. Grass eating is a desperate last means of feeding. It is very cruel to expect a goat to survive on what they eat in a yard or lot.
There are MANY plants that are pure poison to goats, and you need to keep your fur-baby away from them - such as Rhododendron, Azaleas, Mountain Laurel, Ferns and more.
Goats DO love weedy brush and shrubs, and many plants that grow in lots and in the woods - like blackberries, blueberries and roses. They need shrubby plants to thrive. Such plants pull up minerals from deeper roots. Goats have a high need for minerals and vitamins.
FEEDING EQUIPMENT & OUTDOOR CHORES...
HAY & HAY STORAGE...
Your goats need fresh hay everyday. That means you must buy bales of hay from a good Supplier, and have it stacked up and ready to feed as the goats eat it up.
Hay should be weedy if possible. Single-grass hay is NOT desirable, nor is Horse Hay. Goats love shrubs and weeds, so hay mixed with them is preferable.
Make sure that the Hay Grower does not use Weed Killer on his fields before each growing Season. Weed killer is toxic and ends up in the Hay. Organically grown hay is best if you can find it.
Hay should be cut and dried and made into bales and NOT rained on. Rain will cause mold, which makes for VERY sick goats. Hay should always be stored INDOORS under cover to avoid developing mold. When you go to buy hay bales look for mold. Smell for mold. It is critical that your hay NOT be moldy.
You must have Shed or Barn space to stack hay bales, to keep it out of the weather. It is a good idea to buy as much hay as you will need for a Season, so your goats aren't having to switch up feed, and get upset digestion and maybe diarrhea.
Your goats need fresh hay everyday. That means you must buy bales of hay from a good Supplier, and have it stacked up and ready to feed as the goats eat it up.
Hay should be weedy if possible. Single-grass hay is NOT desirable, nor is Horse Hay. Goats love shrubs and weeds, so hay mixed with them is preferable.
Make sure that the Hay Grower does not use Weed Killer on his fields before each growing Season. Weed killer is toxic and ends up in the Hay. Organically grown hay is best if you can find it.
Hay should be cut and dried and made into bales and NOT rained on. Rain will cause mold, which makes for VERY sick goats. Hay should always be stored INDOORS under cover to avoid developing mold. When you go to buy hay bales look for mold. Smell for mold. It is critical that your hay NOT be moldy.
You must have Shed or Barn space to stack hay bales, to keep it out of the weather. It is a good idea to buy as much hay as you will need for a Season, so your goats aren't having to switch up feed, and get upset digestion and maybe diarrhea.
EVERYDAY FEED & SUPPLEMENTS & WATER...
When a baby is brought home from the Hospital, in MOST cases the new parents have set up their room and collected all the supplies and things needed for their care. The same must be true for your fur-baby.
You must buy the Holder for the hay, and the divided container for the Minerals and Supplements, and the Holder for the daily feed. You will need a large bucket for fresh water that can't be knocked over. Hanging the water bucket from a clip on the wall, white setting it up on a cinderblock is a very good idea.
You must buy the Holder for the hay, and the divided container for the Minerals and Supplements, and the Holder for the daily feed. You will need a large bucket for fresh water that can't be knocked over. Hanging the water bucket from a clip on the wall, white setting it up on a cinderblock is a very good idea.
HOOF CARE...
Little goat hooves must be kept trimmed on a monthly basis since your fur-baby can't wear them flat on rocks and mountainsides. Your Vet may offer this service. If your Vet doesn't, then YOU must learn to do it.
It takes a special Trimmer and the know how on trimming the underside of the hoof flat. Your Vet can show you how. Make sure that YOU do it in front of the Vet to know that you are able before leaving the Vet's office.
If you pick up your fur-baby at your Breeder, ask them to show you how they trim the hooves, and then YOU DO IT in front of the Breeder. It's no good to watch someone, and then go home and realize you forgot what you learned because you didn't actually do it.
Trimming must start the first week you get your baby home, and your little one must get used to allowing it. You must get used to making them allow it.
Goats can struggle and fuss and hollar when they are unhappy... but you must say "I know, it's a misery" and get the job done anyway.
Hooves will start curling under and then out at the toes eventually, and can all but cripple your goat. Hoof trimming is A MUST for every goat owner. Whether you do it yourself, or schedule it with your Vet on a monthly basis, please make sure it gets done.
To help you in this quest for hoof care, here is a great Article on how to trim hooves with good pictures:
http://www.greengablesmininubians.com/thegoatmentor/articles/hoof-trimming.html
THE MEDICAL SIDE OF THINGS...
Here are some general things to know...
Goats need treatment for parasites because they are prone to them. Stress can cause an increase in their multiplying for example. Your Vet can recommend treatment based on taking a fecal sample.
Other treatments like vaccines and health issues should be handled with your Vet as well. Some Breeders treat their own goats, but for a Pet Owner we recommend you rely on your Vet.
NEIGHBORS, NOISE & ZONING LAWS...
Did you know that in some Towns and Cities it is illegal to have a goat? Sad but true. Be sure to check on ordinances before bringing home your little Sweeties.
If you are friendly with your neighbors it's a good idea to let them know that you are adding goat fur-babies to your household.
If your little Rascals get out, you want people to know that they are yours. That's one reason for the collar with the embroidered name and phone on it. Tags will get chewed on and tugged at until they release, so sewn on names and phone numbers are best.
On the noisy side, some goats will fuss and yell like a child when they are unhappy. Neighbors can consider it like a barking dog if it goes on uninterrupted day after day. That's a big reason to have a second goat. An only goat is a lonely goat.
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