Goats are intelligent, personable animals that provide milk, meat, fiber, and excellent weed control. They're perfect for small homesteads and make wonderful additions to any farm.
Why Keep Goats?
- Dairy: Fresh milk for drinking, cheese, soap
- Meat: Lean, healthy protein source
- Fiber: Angora and Cashmere goats produce luxury fiber
- Land clearing: Excellent at controlling brush and weeds
- Companionship: Friendly, entertaining personalities
Choosing Your Breed
Dairy Breeds
- Nubian: Rich, high-butterfat milk, floppy ears, vocal
- Alpine: High milk production, hardy, varied colors
- LaMancha: Calm temperament, high butterfat, tiny ears
- Nigerian Dwarf: Small size, sweet milk, great for small properties
- Saanen: Highest milk volume, all white, gentle
Meat Breeds
- Boer: Fast-growing, excellent meat quality
- Kiko: Hardy, low-maintenance, good foragers
- Spanish: Very hardy, adaptable, good mothers
Fiber Breeds
- Angora: Produces mohair fiber
- Cashmere: Luxury cashmere fiber
- Pygora: Angora/Pygmy cross, fleece for spinning
🐐 Golden Rule: Never Keep Just One Goat
Goats are herd animals and become stressed and depressed alone. Always keep at least two goats—or pair with another friendly animal like sheep.
Housing Requirements
Shelter Basics
- 15-20 square feet per goat minimum
- Three-sided shelter acceptable in mild climates
- Draft-free but well-ventilated
- Dry bedding (straw, wood shavings)
- Elevated sleeping area preferred
Fencing
Goats are escape artists! Good fencing is essential:
- 4-5 foot height minimum
- Woven wire or cattle panels work best
- Electric fencing effective but needs training
- Never use barbed wire—goats will injure themselves
Feeding Goats
Basic Diet
- Hay: High-quality grass or legume hay, free choice
- Browse: Leaves, brush, and weeds (their natural diet!)
- Grain: For dairy does and growing kids only
- Minerals: Loose goat-specific minerals, free choice
- Water: Clean, fresh water always available
Foods to Avoid
- Azaleas, rhododendrons
- Wild cherry leaves (especially wilted)
- Moldy hay or grain
- Excessive grain (causes bloat)
Health Care
Routine Care
- Hoof trimming every 4-6 weeks
- Deworming as needed (fecal testing recommended)
- Annual vaccinations (CDT minimum)
- Regular body condition scoring
Signs of Illness
- Off feed, hunched posture
- Grinding teeth (sign of pain)
- Isolation from herd
- Abnormal droppings
- Temperature above 104°F
Breeding and Kidding
Does can breed at 7-10 months (when 70-80 lbs). Gestation is about 150 days. Most does kid easily but always have a vet's number handy for emergencies.
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