There are goats that are fun to have around.Hard work can also be part of the job.They can get aggressive if they aren't cared for properly.It is possible to make your goat a happy family member by creating a safe home, feeding them properly, grooming them, and keeping them healthy.
Step 1: The pasture should be set aside.
Your pasture should be large enough to accommodate your goat, a shelter, and entertainment features, such as large rocks for the goat to climb on.Giving your goat more space will allow it to get more exercise.Your goat pasture should have a lot of vegetation because goats like to eat plants.The goats will eat whatever is in their pasture.Don't let anything grow in your pasture that is toxic.Don't pull weeds because goats love them.Your goat will eat them.Up to an acre of pasture is what you should provide.You will need to supplement your goat's diet with hay and pellets if your lot is smaller.If you have just a few small breed goats, 20 square meters is enough.
Step 2: There is a fence around the pasture.
The goat should be kept in and the predator out by your fence.Many goats escape from their pen because they are smart and can climb.The fence should be at least 6 feet high.An electric fence is installed by some goat owners to deter them from escaping.Installation of heavy wood posts deep into the ground can be used to build a fence.They should be anchored with concrete.Pick the small mesh over the large to secure the fence.Keep enrichment items away from the fence.Your goat is less likely to try to escape if it has lots of space, plenty of food, and a nice shelter.
Step 3: The goat needs a shelter.
The goat needs a shelter that faces the south to protect it from wind.The goat will use the shelter to protect it from the elements.The shelter should be free from drafts.The goat will be comfortable if the straw bedding is placed inside the shelter.There is a small shed or large dog house where goats can live.The concrete floor in the shelter is easy to maintain.It is expensive and should be covered with soft straw bedding.
Step 4: Provide entertainment for your goat.
A bored goat will look for trouble.Large rocks, a ramp to climb on, or recycled barrels are possibilities for entertainment.The goat will like climbing on the items and butting its head against them.The goat's pen should be free of things that could hurt the goat, such as protruding nails.Use toys and treats to keep your goat busy.
Step 5: Provide fresh water.
At all times, your goat needs fresh water.As goats can turn them over, use a heavy watering container.You should check the water at least twice a day.If the temperature drops below freezing, you may need to provide water throughout the day.A freeze-proof watering device can be purchased from a livestock store.
Step 6: Provide your goat with food.
Grass, weeds, brush, vining plants, and other greenery could be included.The prickly vegetation can be eaten by goats.Common weeds like dandelion can be spread if your pasture doesn't have a lot of variety.Plants along the fenceline are preferred by goats.The goat can be brought from plants.It is best to give your goat a mix of the following.
Step 7: Keep your goat away from plants.
There are plants that can harm a goat and they have a reputation for being able to eat anything.Although goats are able to sniff out dangerous plants, they are also curious and may eat them.If you want to give your goat plants, make sure they don't grow in or near your pasture.There are some plants that are poisonous to goats.
Step 8: Hay and other grains should be supplemented.
Grains are not required in the diet of goats.If your pasture is too small to accommodate a single person, grains are a great food choice.Feed the goat grains.Each day, goats eat 3-4% of their body weight.The weight of the goat is what you need to base your feed supply on.If you don't have enough foraged material to eat, you only need to supplement your goat's diet.Before breeding a goat or dam, you may want to supplement it with other animals.Feed pellets for goats are rich in vitamins and minerals.These are an alternative to grains.Feed them more food during the winter to help them survive.If the goat can't find food, you can give them up to 4% of their body weight in grains.
Step 9: The feeders should be hung off of the ground.
goats don't like to eat their feed off the groundKeeping the food out of the ground reduces the chance of mold and insects eating it.The best place to put hay is on the wall of the shelter or on a fence post.It's a good idea to use feeders for horses.If you have more than one goat, choose a large one.The goats may try to push each other out of the way.
Step 10: A vet has a salt lick supplement.
The quality of the goat's diet can be affected by soil quality and what you feed them.They will need a supplement.Many owners choose a salt mix or salt lick that contains minerals.The goat will eat the supplement and drink more water.The quality of the soil in your region will determine which blend of minerals you need for your goat.They can tell you how much salt lick you should give to your goat.You can buy goat's salt mix or salt lick online.The extra supplement should be stored away from the goats, as they may eat more than they are supposed to.
Step 11: It should be brushed out daily.
Remove caked on mud and dirt with a hard brush.To remove particles from the goat's coat, run a comb through it.To create a shiny coat, run a soft brush over the goat.Run your hands along the goat's body to make sure you don't feel any injuries or illnesses.If your goat's demeanor has changed, call the vet immediately.
Step 12: Take care of your goat's hooves.
Your goat's hooves should be dry.During the daily brushing, check the goat's hooves for damage or items that may get stuck in them, such as rocks or dirt.Make sure that the hoof looks good by removing anything that you can see.Call your vet if you notice any damage or foul odors.A hoof pick can be used to remove stones or dirt from a goat's hoof.Hoof rot needs treatment and can result in foul odors.The goat needs copper sulfate foot baths most of the time.You should talk to your vet.
Step 13: Cut your goat's hooves.
Your goat can't run, jump, and climb without hooves.Too much cutting and too little cutting can affect your goat.You should have a professional show you how to cut your goat's hooves.You need to trim your goat's hooves every 8 weeks to maintain their length.Get a professional to cut the goat's hooves if you don't like it.It is better to pay the professional than it is to harm your goat.
Step 14: If you have to, trim your goat's coat.
The goat has a coat.It is possible to trim around the udders, belly, tail, and thighs during cooler weather.You can shorten the goat's coat during the summer to make it more comfortable.If you are new to using the clippers, you should start with a small area.Someone who knows how to use them is a good idea.Don't clip near the goat's eyes, ears, or sensitive areas until you know how to use the clippers safely.There is no minimum length for a goat's coat, but you should consider the weather in your area.If the weather cools down, it is not a good idea to cut the goat's hair.
Step 15: It's a good idea to remove manure and dirty bedding daily.
Every day, scoop out poop and stinky bedding.In the goat's shelter, as well as in the pasture.The bedding should be replaced with fresh hay.The parasites that live in the manure can cause your goat to become ill.It is a good idea to deep clean your goat's shelter once or twice a year.The bedding should be removed and the surfaces scrubbed.The bedding should be replaced with fresh hay.
Step 16: You should exercise your goat.
Make sure your goat gets lots of exercise.Place things for your goat to climb on in their pasture, such as large rocks, wooden structures, and bushes.You can play with your goat.Take the goat on a walk if the pasture is small.The goats like to run up and down the seesaw to balance it.
Step 17: Discuss the "BoSe" shot with your doctor.
Your goat needs the BoSe shot to stay healthy.They are important for reproductive health.The shot is usually given to goats once a year.You will need a prescription for the shot since it is only available through the vet.It is a good idea to give your goat the shot before breeding season.It protects the dam from problems.
Step 18: Your goat needs to bevaccinated annually.
The vaccine that protects against Clostridium perfringens type C and D should be given to goats.You have to give a booster every year because the vaccine's effect fades over time.If the goats are breeding, they should get their booster 30 days before the breeding season starts.The first vaccine for baby goats should be given at 6 weeks.If your vet recommends it, you can get the goat vaccine.In goats, vaccinations are not standard.
Step 19: After consulting with a vet, deworm your goat.
Deworming is helpful for goats because they can get internal parasites.Since there are few dewormers formulated for goats, you will need to use one made for sheep, cattle, or horses.You should talk to your vet first if you want to adjust the dosage based on the size of your goat.Deworming your dam after she gives birth protects both mother and babies as the dewormer passes through the mother's milk.The first deworming should be given to young kids between 6 and 8 weeks of age.You can use the dewormer chart for goats.
Step 20: There's a chance you'll get bloated.
There are a number of reasons why goats can bloat, such as eating too much food, or eating something poisonous.It can be dangerous.Call your vet if you notice that your goat's belly is bigger, rounder, and harder than it was the day before.You may notice that the goat has trouble walking.The goat is gassy.It's a good idea to consult your vet before trying to treat your goat.If you want to treat a goat with mineral oil or cooking oil, you have to walk and massage the goat until it releases the gas.Then add 1 cup of water or molasses to the mix.This should be fed to the goat.If your goat is Bloating, get it treated immediately.