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I grew up with goats, amongst other farm animals. We had to sell them when I was like 12 because we moved to the city. All I remember is one morning my dad told me sister and I to go feed them and they were ALL gone! My sister and I freaked and went looking for them. We found them at the neighbors house and managed to bring them all back home in a line with nothing but a bucket of oats in our hands. I felt so cool telling that story at school the next day.
I don't really have tips lol other than don't underestimate their ability to escape!
Make sure to clean out their area frequently, clip their hooves (they grow like nails and need trimming or else they can have trouble walking--they grow sideways), moisture or moist conditions (if not kept dry) can cause foot rot, clip their hair when it's hot, and keep them hydrated. They'll eat anything so try to keep trash away from them too.
They are such sweet animals! Good luck! The babies are always fun???✨
I do not have any goats but my mom does and I've grown up with goats. They are not too hard to care for as they are very adaptable and will pretty much eat anything.
But they are hard to milk. I'm actually not really sure how people milk them. Maybe some goats are easier, but with my mom's goats it has always been like wrestling bears to get their milk. We are probably doing it wrong though!
Thanks so much ladies! I'm really excited! Goats and chickens are my first two "additions" to our new home, once we are done with fixing up the house. We only have 5 acres and not all of it is cleared, so I think a big garden, some fruit trees, goats and chickens will be a great start!
I've got a flock! Thanks for the bump H!
I can't stand trying to milk the dwarf goats though, the udders are close to the ground so there is more chances of injury/infection/bacterial contamination. Plus you need to design a very specific milking stand so you are not hunched over. The teats are tiny and harder to milk, and it's almost impossible to find a milking machine that fits them if you don't want to hand milk. On the pro side of the checklist though Nigerian dwarfs eat less (cheaper to maintain), stink less, take up less space, and while they have less milk their milk has way more butterfat than other breeds so their milk makes better cheese.
Goats, contrary to children's cartoons, do not eat anything and everything. They can actually be kinda picky depending on the goat. There are some plants that are poisonous to goats, so I would look those up and check your acreage to make sure you don't have a lot of them first. Feeding them for optimal growth and later during the stages of pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, and milk production can seem complicated but once you figure it out it's easy to maintain a routine.
Yes, goats should always have at the minimum one buddy. It doesn't have to be another goat; goats and horses make great friends.
If you get babies, try to get ones that are 3 months old (12 weeks). They can be start to be weaned earlier at 8 weeks and be finished weaning by 3 months is the healthiest way to go about it. Not be finished by 8 weeks ready for sale.
Feel free to ask me anything in PM! My favorite site to direct new goat owners to is ссылка, it's a great detailed jumping off point!
I have three dwarf Nigerian goats. They are adorable and easy to care for. I will say if there's a will there's a way for them to escape. They are like shape shifters, they can get out off the smallest places. Ours are like pets, they love people, and come back when we call them. The thing about goats is they are foragers not grazers. They will graze if that's what's available. But they have been clearing lots of underbrush on our property. We feed ours mediated goat pellets or the feed we give our calves, they aren't picky. I'd recommend getting more than one, they like being in a group and will run around and play together which is so entertaining to watch. :)
Wow, that's really cool pp! In excited but it'll likely be on hold until next spring, then I'll get two babies after they've been weaned at about 8 weeks old.
I have one and she gets out alot like pp mentioned she is prolly lonely. They are easy to take care of. We feed ours cow feed and make sure it has a mineral supplement and either on grass or have hay in front of it at all times. They needs shots and wormed like all other animals and their hooves trimmed. My parents got goats when they adopted my brother as a baby and he got goats milk.
That's so sad, Megz! I'm mainly getting them for my kids! I want them to learn to care for animals and have responsibility. My 3 year old (almost 4) is our future vet so she would be in HEAVEN with goats as pets!!
I read they bleat more often when they're lonely so that's why you should get two or more.
What did yours eat? We have 5 acres but half is woods. We may have to supplement with hay.
I have 4. Got them from the auction so I'm not sure what bred they are but one is a pigmy and man she's crazy lol. Goats are super easy to take care of and they eat absolutely anything...