I am thinking about getting a goat (s) but have some questions

[drewskimac]

So, my dad recently caved in and said I could get a goat to help clear some land. So I have found some baby pygmy goats on craigslist and I am interested in one. However, I want to first make sure I have the means to take care of one properly.

First, I have a chainlink dog pen, If i put tarps on the side of this pen to make an area that is protected from the weather, would this been suffice for my goat to sleep during the night?

Would I be able to let the goat graze in the woods during the day, tied to a long leash or rope?

Would I be able to leave on the weekends and leave her in the dog pen?

Would I need to be worried about predators during the day?

Can a young goat live outside on it's own at this time of the year?

What do I need to feed the goat (in addition to it ranging in the woods during the day)

Thankyou for any and all replies!!!

 

[MeepBeep]

You are bound to get many differing answers as there is no black and white answer in many cases...

First, I have a chainlink dog pen, If i put tarps on the side of this pen to make an area that is protected from the weather, would this been suffice for my goat to sleep during the night?

If you provide them a wind free area to sleep and get out of harsh weather it should suffice in most warm areas, but tarps alone are likely not enough in cold climates or even in most areas that have high winds and heavy rain... You should consider a shed or other solid structure to house them...

Would I be able to let the goat graze in the woods during the day, tied to a long leash or rope?

I personally would never leave an animal unattended on a leash, I won't even do that with my dogs...

Would I be able to leave on the weekends and leave her in the dog pen?

They need fresh water and food daily, so no you can't just leave them unattended on the weekends...

Would I need to be worried about predators during the day?

Yes, although most predators hunt at night, when they are hungry or rearing young and need food they will take whatever opportunity arises, even if it's daylight...

Can a young goat live outside on it's own at this time of the year?

They are communal animals, it's best to never keep them alone... You should have two or more...

What do I need to feed the goat (in addition to it ranging in the woods during the day)

If they have a ripe and plentiful pasture to graze they will not need any other feed... The only exception would be if they are pregnant and/or being used for milk then supplemental grain feed can help them out...

As for what to feed them, that is a real loaded question... Some will insist on hay only others will insist on grain only... The truth is goats will do fine on several varying diets, what they can't handle is rapid changes to their diet... If the goat is used to getting grains then continue to feed them grains or slowly ween them off the grains if you want to switch over to hay feeding... And the reverse, if they are on a hay diet, you should slowly introduce grains if you want to offer grains to them... A rapid change is diet is what you have to be aware of as it can have consequences...

All my goats are on a pasture and hay diet, the only exception is when it gets real cold... In extreme cold I will treat them to small amounts of grains, but only in small portions...

 

[uphilljill]

First off, Goats are herd animals and do very poorly alone. You should have at least two for companionship, or you will have a VERY unhappy goat.

Goats should never be tied or tethered unattended. They easily get tangled in the trees, themselves, etc. and can injure themselves.

Your goat will need access to clean fresh water all day, quality hay, minerals, baking soda, and possibly a goat grain in addition to brush.

I am not sure where you are located or what your climate is like so I can't answer those questions directly, but goats are susceptible to predators, even local dogs have been known to chase and kill goats. They need appropriate shelter and protection from both predators and the elements.

A good place to start researching goat care is http://fiascofarm.com/goats/

We love our goats and I'm sure you will enjoy them as well. Hope this helps a little,

 

[drewskimac]

Thanks for your input. So, just to clear up my questions a bit:

I am actually currently looking at 2 young pygmy goats (1 male and 1 female).

How much space would 2 pygmy goats need?

So they would need to graze freely? A long dog run that gives them acess to food and water wouldn't suffice?

As far as being gone on weekends, I would leave friday night, give them plenty of food and fresh water, and be back Sunday morning, so I would only be gone one day and I should be able to give them enough food and water to tide them over during Saturday.

As for the shelter, I do agree. My idea was that I use the tarps while it is still warm but I will build them a small pen before it gets too cold.

Thanks again for your input.

 

[PioneerPrincess]

I agree with the above comments.

Goats are herd animals. You must have two to keep them happy. A dog, cat, horse, chicken, or human won't do it.

How young is the goat? Is it weaned? Regardless, your goats must be taken care of and checked on every day. If you leave, you will need to have someone {prefarably someone who is familiar/experienced with goats} take care of them.

Goats are browsers {meaning they like to eat things that are up high- bushes, trees, and such}, not grazers {eating grass, though they will eat grass if that's all they have}. I don't have a pasture/ wooded lot for my dairy goats, so they are given free-choice coastal hay along with grain twice a day. They also get free-choice loose minerals. I don't recommend mineral blocks because they are mostly salt and the goat will only lick/bite off as much salt it wants plus it's not good for their teeth.

Loose dogs are usually a big threat to goats. They will attack anytime of the day or night. You will definitely want to keep your goats in an area where predators can't get them. Other predators {for me, at least} include bobcats, coyotes, and foxes.

I would not recommend keeping an unattended goat staked on a leash. Too many things can happen. The goat can't defend itself. It will need access to shade. And, most importantly, being a goat, it would likely get caught or tangled up in something causing it serious injury or possible death.

As for shelter, I don't personally think tarp would work. My goats chew on, pull down, and play with the tarps I put up temporarily when I use it. Chances are, they'd wear yours out pretty quickly too. It'd be better to construct something more durable, out of wood or metal, with, at least, three sides and sturdy roof.

Fias co is definitely a great site to learn from as well as tennesseemeatgoats.com . Pat Coleby's book Natural Goat Care and storey's Guide to Goats by Jerry Belanger are also good reads.

 

[PioneerPrincess]

Okay, just saw your post; I was typing! LOL

It's good you're getting two. Are you just having them for pets? Or are you going to be breeding them? I'd recommend that you have that buck wethered {castrated} before putting him with the doe; otherwise, other acceptable pairings are two does, two wethers, a doe and a wether, or two bucks {though bucks are really stinky especially during rut; they wouldn't make good pets}.

Even though you're only going to be gone for one day, I'd still recommend you have someone come out and check on/take care of them. Things can happen. They might dump over their water or get it dirty and say you have a hot summer day when that happens, you could end up with a dehydrated or dead goat/s.

I'm not able to let my goats run free in our entire yard; they are kept in a pen {not sure the measurements} and given all the hay and water they want/ need.

Hope that helps! You're asking a lot of good questions so far! You might want to check out Backyard Chickens sister site, Backyardherds.com. Lots of goat people there.

 

[drewskimac]

Thankyou for all of your good input!

Really, I am raising these as pets to test out whether I want to raise dairy goats.Why do you say to have him Castrated?
Yes, i see what you mean about having sombody check in on them and I will definitely do so.

Thankyou again!

 

[MeepBeep]

Why do you say to have him Castrated?

They will make better pets fixed, if not fixed their hormones will generally take over and make them aggressive especially during the rut, and unfixed male goats will spray urine all over himself during the rut and it stinks real bad... Both traits are not real pet friendly...

 

[drewskimac]

So, what about if I want to breed them?

 

[MeepBeep]

So, what about if I want to breed them?

For most that want pets but also want to breed, they will 'rent' a buck for that purpose instead of keep one around...

If you have bucks and breed them to does the bucks will also need separate housing after they have bred, to keep them away from already pregnant does and the kids... He will want to breed with the pregnant doe or new mommy causing her stress and he will even turn to trying to breed the doelings at a very early age... You don't want that happening...