Getting goats any tips?

[itsasmallfarm]

Hello.
Right now where getting goats in the near furture. And have read lots on them but know wondering if anyone here has any tips on raising them. Where getting 4 dwarf goats ( 3 does and 1 weather) for pets. Any tips on housing and care

Thank you.

 

[HuskerHens18]

They absolutely hate getting wet, so I suppose just make sure they have plenty of access to dry areas when it rains.
They're also great climbers (They will scale your fence if it's too flimsy!)
They love causing trouble - and they know it. Mine can open doors, so I must lock every door when I let them free range. They will climb vehicles too and play on the roofs.

They're extremely lovable and sweet, you're going to adore them!

 

[New2Chicks97]

Hello.
Right now where getting goats in the near furture. And have read lots on them but know wondering if anyone here has any tips on raising them. Where getting 4 dwarf goats ( 3 does and 1 weather) for pets. Any tips on housing and care

Thank you.

Get the heavier duty fencing because they like to stand with their front feet on the fence and the light duty welded wire fencing will bend and eventually they will squish it down until they ruin it.

If they can find a hole to get out.......they will.

They love to climb but make sure anything you give them that they can climb on, isn’t close to the fence or they will jump over.

Don’t let them roam free in your yard because they will eat your flowers and shrubs.

Most of all enjoy them! They have such amusing personalities. I had Pygmy goats & Angora goats growing up and loved them. My favorites were the Pygmies. I have about talked my husband into having goats at our current house to clear out the underbrush in our seasonal creek.

 

[cassie]

Hello.
Right now where getting goats in the near furture. And have read lots on them but know wondering if anyone here has any tips on raising them. Where getting 4 dwarf goats ( 3 does and 1 weather) for pets. Any tips on housing and care

Thank you.

Get a book. Go to caprinesupply.com. They have a selection of books and goat supplies. Ask them to send you a catalog. It is chock full of useful information. Your goats need to be vaccinated for entero and tetanus. Get a vial of CD/T at the feed store or livestock supply and that will take care of it. Goats need access to fresh clean water and good hay that is fine stemmed and free of dust, mold, and mildew. They do not need grain unless they are young growing stock, pregnant, or milking.

 

[coltgrizzz]

Get very high fences. Even the smallest goats can easily scale and hop over a 6 foot fence

 

[cassie]

Get very high fences. Even the smallest goats can easily scale and hop over a 6 foot fence

It depends. In all the years I had goats I never had a six foot fence, even for bucks. For bucks the fences were five feet or so. Most of the time I used field fence plus two strands of barb wire on top. I also used cattle panel. I don't remember how high that is but I do know it is not six feet. I think it is four feet high or so. If goats are happy, meaning they have company, and plenty of food, fresh water, and adequate shelter they tend to stay in if the fences are sound. They will rub on fences, try to climb under them, and they put their feet on them to see over the top. If there is a hole, they will go through it.

 

[coltgrizzz]

It depends. In all the years I had goats I never had a six foot fence, even for bucks. For bucks the fences were five feet or so. Most of the time I used field fence plus two strands of barb wire on top. I also used cattle panel. I don't remember how high that is but I do know it is not six feet. I think it is four feet high or so. If goats are happy, meaning they have company, and plenty of food, fresh water, and adequate shelter they tend to stay in if the fences are sound. They will rub on fences, try to climb under them, and they put their feet on them to see over the top. If there is a hole, they will go through it.

At first i had a 6 foot chain link fence which my Kiko had no problem getting over it mostly because she could get her foot in it and push up but later i changed to a solid 5 foot vinyl fence. She couldn’t get over this with sheer jump power but if there was a rock or log next to it she would get over it. Moral of the story is get solid fences with nothing next to them lol

 

[mominoz]

let my 'relative' who lives on our property get one, then they got more, they thought they would stay in my electric horse fence (ha! I warned them)...unfortunately, they have gone where they weren't supposed to, eaten EVERYTHING including my cypress and pampas grass around their cabin I planted and damaged others I wanted for a screen... they have not fixed their males yet and it is the WORSE RANCID smell on earth (and I have had a lot of animals! and fowl!) you can smell them 200 ft or more away. In otherwords if you are not the diligent, responsible type or care that they will eat everything or damage plants of every kind...did I mention , they have damaged, loosened and knocked down any of the field fences that weren't 100% tight and secured.(the ones that were fine for my horses and dogs)...and if you have neighbors...you need to secure them...oh, and if they get out, they will run to the feed shed or barn and steal and scatter your hay.... needless to say they have caused a lot of problems for me...(yes it is a rant; relatives ! with goats!)