We have been raising goats since 2009, and even with over 10 years of experience there still is a lot to learn. This is a compilation of common questions and answers as well as tips for new goat owners. Our goal is to place goats in good homes, and often times there comes a fair amount of education to ensure success.
- Can I buy a single goat?
No! Goats are herd animals, and some may not mind being alone for short periods of time, the vast majority of them will be very upset upon separation from their herd. For this reason we only sell single goats to families that already have an established herd, otherwise all sales must include at least two goats for the well being and happiness of the animals.
-What gender of goat should I get?
What gender depends on your goals for your goats. If you are looking for a pet we recommend wethers- they tend to be the easiest going and most friendly. They also are great companion animals if you have a lone buck or just one doe. If you want to start breeding in the future it is always good to invest in does to built your herd, or if you plan on showing in 4H, does are the clear answer because after the first year you cannot show a wether and I don't like touching bucks long enough to show them. Bucks should only be purchased if you are starting a breeding operation because they are stinky because of their mating habits and the smell is an unpleasant addition to barns. They require separate housing for the majority of the year and we will not sell a buck and doe pair alone for this reason because of the herd mentality. Unless you want kids in the middle of winter or stress your doe with too many pregnancies, without a period of rest, this is a recipe for disaster.
- When is my new kid ready to go home?
We typically recommend at least 8 weeks of life for a kid before we begin our weaning process and send them off to their new homes. We have sold goats before this 8 week mark, but know that signs you up for frequent bottle feeding duties, which is a large time commitment.
- Is bottle raising my kid the best way to make it tame and friendly?
While bottle raising ensures your kid will come to people to fulfill its needs, this is not the way we recommend to make friends with your goat. As stated above this is a lot of work- feedings occur at all hours of the day and night and need to be consistent in timing. Also bottle feeding raises concerns because nature tends to do a better job of producing healthy kids then we can do artificially. We find that each goat has a personality, and if you take a period of time every day to interact and socialize with your goat there are rarely problems of them being wild and antisocial.
-What kind of fencing do I need?
Someone once told me that if a fence doesn't hold water it won't hold a goat. While this is a slight exaggeration it proves a point- goat fencing isn't for the faint hearted. We recommend fencing to be AT LEAST 4 feet high- I have seen goats soar over a 3 foot fence with ease. Woven wire is also the preferred material- goats rub up to fences often and using barbed wire will cut them to shreds. This also means your fencing needs to be quality work- if they can push it over they will work on it all day. Woven wire has small enough holes to keep 5 pound kids contained and safe for all animals. We also have used cattle panels from time to time, but these kids easily slid through the larger holes for up to 6 months. If you don't mind having kids roam your barn it is a fairly good option. In addition all goats need to have access to inside shelter especially in winter months.
If you are looking for more information we recommend the following sites:
-http://www.ndga.org/ : All of our goats are registered with the Nigerian Dairy Goat Association,
-http://adga.org/ : and the American Dairy Goat Association.
-http://www.americangoatsociety.com/ : Another common goat registry is the American Goat Society.
-What kind of vaccinations do my goats need?
Our goats are all registered with the CDT vaccination. This protects them against Clostridium perfringens type C + D and tetanus. Kids are vaccinated at 5-6 weeks of age then given a booster 3-4 weeks later. If you take your new baby home earlier than this the booster will be your responsibility to follow through with that shot. Adult goats should get annual booster shots to keep them up to date on their immunity. Your vet may recommend additional shots to protect your herd so we encourage you discuss it with them.