Whether you are raising goats as pets or for show, or because you want to harvest your own goat milk or meat, there is a lot of planning involved. Goats are famously low-maintenance animals, primarily when compared to other farm animals like horses and cows.

While goat housing is relatively simple, goat fencing, and enclosures can present a challenge. And everyone who keeps livestock eventually has to become something of a veterinarian, and learn how to spot and treat various symptoms in their animals.

This guide will help you plan for all the supplies and equipment you need to keep goats, no matter what breed or for what purpose. It's a handy way to anticipate everything you need to keep and care for healthy goats.

Whether you are raising show goats or meat goats, there are some supplies that all goats need. Remember that goats are extremely social animals, and should never be kept alone. For almost any purpose, you will need a minimum of two does and a wether.

Dairy goats will need to be bred regularly, which means you will need to have or rent access to a buck, and you will have kids every year. Even if you are thinking of keeping a single goat as a pet or show animal, they will need companion animals of some kind.

When purchasing goat supplies, plan ahead for the size of herd you anticipate, but remember that your herd is likely to grow over time.

All goats need shelter, but these needs vary depending on the size of the herd, your climate, and what kinds of goats you are raising. Some people keep goats comfortably in a large doghouse, while some need a whole barn for their herd. Goats prefer to sleep together for warmth and comfort, and need a space that is warm, dry, clean, and safe to sleep at night. Every goat shelter should offer:

• Protection from predators. If you have predators in your area, your goats need to be protected at night
• Protection from weather. In mild climates, goats may only require a simple, three-sided shelter. In cold climates, they should be kept warm
• Clean bedding. Bedding provides warmth and comfort, and also absorbs urine and feces. Bedding can be made of straw or wood shavings, and should be changed frequently
• Adequate space. If your goats have ample outdoor ranging area, then you should allow 10-15 square feet of indoor shelter at night. If your goats have less room outdoors, then give them 20 square feet per goat of sleeping space, and another 30 square feet per goat as an exercise area. If you are raising large meat goats, they will need more space per goat
• Adequate ventilation. While goat shelter must provide protection from wind, it should also be a ventilated space

Some other considerations for shelter include:

• Space for feeding and watering. All goats should be able to eat and drink at the same time, and goats should have access to water at all times
• Ease of cleaning. You will need to muck out your goat shelter, so it should have adequate space for you to work. Choose flooring and bedding that is easy to clean
• Space for kidding. If you will be kidding your goats, every doe will need a 4—5 square foot pen for kidding
• Space for work and storage. You will also need space for storage of all your goats' bedding, food, and supplies, and space for kidding, hoof trimming, milking, and all the other ways you will interact with your goats. While it isn't necessary to incorporate all that additional space into your goats' overnight shelter, it is worth considering your own needs for space and storage, as well as the goats'

Fencing is absolutely necessary, but goats are hard on fences. They are prone to chewing, leaning, and standing on fences, and very likely to jump over them. Goats often attract predator animals, so sturdy fencing is needed to keep goats in and wildlife out.

Finally, during breeding season, even goats that were previously easy to contain are capable of incredible feats to escape a fence. To contain and protect a goat, a fence should be:

• At least 48 inches tall, but taller if you have bigger goats or goats who like to jump
• Wire spacing of 4 inches or less, to keep out smaller predators like foxes
• Posts that 8-12 feet apart, with an 8 foot distance for big, tall, or strong goats
• Woven wire, rather than welded wire, which can withstand rubbing or chewing
• Place any bracing or supports on the outside, or goats will climb them

Remember to not place shelters, toys, or structures near the fence, since the goat will stand on them in order to jump over. An electrified wire may also deter jumping.

In mild climates or for small herds, some people opt to place goat cages inside their shelter. In some cases, these cages are simply very large dog kennels. Goat cages allow individual goats to be separated while kidding or during breeding season, and offer additional protection from predators. Remember that a cage still needs to provide the warmth, water, and comfort of a goat shelter, and avoid caging goats by themselves outside of breeding season; they are social animals and prefer to be together.

All goats need medical care, and many treatments and medications are things you can administer yourself. In the beginning, it is best to consult with your veterinarian for advice specific to your needs and your goat herd, and determine how much and what kind of medical care you should administer yourself, and when to call the vet.

However, as your herd grows in size, it becomes expensive to call your vet for every incident, and you will save time and money by handling basic medical care on your own. Here are some basic goat medical supplies to have on hand:

Although goats are prized for being resourceful foragers, they will still need a regular supply of food from you, and will always need fresh water available. Food supply becomes even more important when you are raising dairy goats or meat goats.

The feed station should be large enough that all your goats can eat at once if they choose, and should keep the food off the ground; many goats will refuse to eat food from the ground. There are a huge range of feeder sizes and designs available.

Goats can pull small carts and wagons, and are comfortable pulling loads that are up to twice their own body weight. If a goat will walk with a collar or halter, and is comfortable being handled, they can easily be trained to walk in a harness and pull a cart or wagon. If you want a working goat that can pull a cart, here are some things to keep in mind:

Goat blankets help to keep a goat clean, warm, and dry. Healthy goats with good shelter do not need blankets to keep them warm in the winter, but goats that need special care, or goats that need to be kept clean for a show, will need a blanket.

Goats require healthy exercise, play, and stimulation that toys provide, and they are curious animals who will investigate, climb on, and explore any new element in their environment. Goats love toys that they can jump and walk on, like seesaws, wooden cable spools, stacks of wood pallets, wooden crates, or toys made of old tires.

They will also happily play with many dog toys, like ropes, balls, and other rugged toys. Make sure that any toys you give a goat are non-toxic and durable enough to withstand chewing or rubbing.

Kidding goats need space and supplies of their own. It's best to get a kidding kit together ahead of time, so that you can be prepared. Storing all your kidding supplies in the same box, bin, or bucket ensures that you have everything you need in one place, whenever it is needed. A goat kidding supply stash should include:

• A goat first aid kit with basic medical supplies
• Potty pads for training dogs to help absorb moisture and clean up
• Fabric towels and paper towels, with one fabric towel for every kid you expect, plus an extra just in case
• Disposable examination gloves for handling kids and body fluids
• Baby wipes and hand sanitizer to help keep your hands clean
• Flashlights and headlamps even if you have good light in your kidding area, because you may need strong light below or behind the animal
• Sterile scissors for cutting the umbilical cord
• Instant-read thermometer to assess the health of the kids
• Needles and syringes in case medicine needs to be administered
• Betadine or Povidone scrub in case you need to scrub your hands and arms to reach inside the doe
• Suction bulb to help clear a kids' nose and mouth if necessary
• Iodine or Chlorohexidine solution for the umbilical cord
• Floss to tie the umbilical cord
• A bottle or more of OB lubricant for animals in case you need to reach inside the doe
• Penicillin in case it's needed
• Feeding tube with syringe to help with feeding problems
• Bottles and nipples in case they are needed
• Bucket of warm, soapy water
• Garbage bags for clean up

Plastic containers of various sizes for holding liquids and ointments during use. You may need to milk the doe, or use lubricant, and you will need a small container for the chlorohexidine, so a variety of empty containers will be useful.

If you accumulate all your supplies ahead of time and keep them in one place, and have the phone number of your veterinarian at hand, you'll have everything you need to support your doe during kidding.

Showing goats is a great hobby and activity for the whole family. If you intend to show your goat, make sure check the expectations for your show early. Some shows require disbudding, shaving, or other regulations that you will need time to prepare for. There may also be requirements for your own attire and behavior, depending on the show. Show goats need quite a bit of grooming equipment, and usually require:

Dairy goats need special care from the inside out, and from birth to maturity. They need to be raised with a lot of care and handling, so that they are comfortable being milked. They need to be bred and kidded once a year, which requires special care, space, and equipment.

And they need excellent nutrition, for their kids and for their milk, so that they stay healthy year after year. Here are some of the things you need for a dairy goat:

Generally speaking, experts recommend that you sterilize your milking equipment between every milking. That's the main reason for using stainless steel and glass; they are non-porous and easy to clean. Since most dairy goats need to be milked twice a day, sterilization between every use can become very time consuming. The most efficient way to clean and sterilize your goat milk equipment between uses is:

Most meat goat breeds are larger and stronger than other goat breeds. This has consequences for all the supplies listed above: they need more space, a bigger shelter, stronger fences, more feed, and so on. If you are raising meat goats for profit, it's important to do thorough research ahead of time.

You need to understand how many goats your land and forage can support, and what breed of goats will do best in your climate and with your space and forage available, and, most importantly, you need to determine whether there is a market for goat meat in your area, and how you will get your goats to market.

In America, most meat goat farmers struggle not with raising or caring for their goats, but with finding a distributor and a path to the marketplace. Most commercial slaughtering facilities are geared toward cattle and many will not accept goats. Commercial food products are held to high quality, labeling, and food safety standards.

Many Americans aren't accustomed to eating goat meat, and there may not be much demand in your area. For these reasons, the most important thing you can do before embarking on a meat goat enterprise is to do a ton of research, be familiar with all your local food and agricultural regulations, and have a detailed business plan in place before you ever buy a goat.

Have you ever considered raising goats, either for pets or for profit? If so, you may want to look into raising angora goats. These adorable creatures are docile and lovable, and there are plenty of angora goat uses.

For instance, if you are a knitter, they will provide you with plenty of wool to make your own yarn. In fact, you can even raise your goats for wool and make some pretty good profits. This is an ancient breed of goat that gets its name from Ankara Turkey, which at one time was called Angora.

If you are curious about the angora goat origin, they were imported from France to Australia in 1832 and 1833. They were from M. Polonceau’s stud, and were sent to the Riley family in Raby, New South Wales.

Following this import, they started coming from the Turkish Empire until about 1873 to different parts of Australia. Following this, they were imported from Africa, also in 1873, and from the United States from 1890 until 1910.

So, what is the angora goat used for? This is not really a goat you would want to raise for milk or meat, although you could if you really wanted to (the hair really is the best part though). The wool you get will generate plenty of profits, if that’s what you are going for. If not, it can be a wonderful and loving pet, and one that the entire family will fall in love with.

They have luxurious mohair, and because they are so sought after, they are bred and raised all over the world. In the US, they tend to be raised in large range herds, mainly in Idaho, Montana, and Texas. They are also quite popular with homesteaders.

The main registry in the United States for white angora goats is the American Angora Goat Breeders Association. In 2002, another registry, the American Colored Angora Goat Registry, was founded for angora goats of other colors, which can include black, brown, silver, grey, and even red.

Every registry has very specific requirements as well as characteristics that can disqualify animals, so if you are already raising these goats, be sure to look at all registries. The main qualities you want to look for in an angora goat is the size, the quality of the fleece, and conformation, with the fleece being the most important. The following qualities are what you should be looking for.

• Angora goats should be covered with hair from top to bottom, or head to tail, and as far down the legs as the knees
• Angora goats should have coats that are lustrous and fine, as well as uniform in length. You should be able to feel the softness as soon as you pet one of these animals
• It is best if the goat has ringlet curls that appear to be crimped. It should be heavy but not rough

The hair grows about an inch each month, and an adult angora goat can produce 12 inches of hair per year (kids produce eight inches). Kids and yearlings have the finest and most expensive mohair, and it gets coarser as the animal ages. The coarse hair is also used, mainly in upholstery fabrics.

This is a delicate animal, and can be very vulnerable to inclement weather, particularly newborns and those who have recently been sheared. This shouldn’t be a problem if you have an adequate goat shelter, and make sure that they are warm, particularly does when they are kidding. They must be able to access a warm area to get out of wet or cold weather.

Angora goats are extremely gentle, and they are quite curious. Most owners become quite attached to their angora goats, because they are such sweet animals. Many have been known to be nannies to baby goats while the rest of the herd is foraging.

Because angora goats can have such a wide range when it comes to height and weight, there are no actual specifications for these characteristics with the various registries. IN most cases, a buck will weigh between 180 and 225 pounds, and the females weigh between 70 to 110 pounds. Both the males and females stand about 25 to 40 inches in height.

When choosing angora goats for breeding, look for animals that appear to be in proportion, and have strong heads and necks. The horns should be spaced and pointed downward, away from their heads. They should have wide bodies, and the rib cages should be quite sprung. They should have a strong topline, and the legs should be straight.

In many ways, caring for angora goats is much like caring for any other type of goat. But, there is a bit more to it since you have to make sure the coat is healthy.

One of the most important things you can do when raising these animals is to provide them with a healthy, nutritious diet. Without the proper diet, the hair is not going to be as fine as it should be.

Their diets should consist of 20 percent protein, in addition to plenty of fresh water, minerals, and grain. They also need to have fresh forage. It is especially important to make sure the diet is healthy several weeks before you plan to breed your goats. Most angora goat miscarriages are due to an improper diet.

Here are a few more things to consider when raising angora goats.

There are several things to consider when buying angora goats. For instance, you need to ensure that you are getting healthy animals. Make sure that you are only talking to experienced, trusted angora goat breeders. But, before you can even think about the animals, you need to consider the following:

Every goat should have a stall that measures at least 16 square feet. Make sure your calculations include the number of kids you plan to breed in the spring, since these goats aren’t overly fond of sharing their space. It is a good idea to have separate kidding stalls for the best rate of survival.

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Saanen goats are a special breed that come all the way from Europe. They are a unique type of goat that has a rich and diverse history. What are they used for? What are some good breeding tips and how should they be raised?

The answers to these questions differ from breed to breed, which is what makes them special, after all. Before you decide to buy a dairy goat, look at what the Saanen goat has to offer. Once you have made up your mind and done your research, you will also know how to look after your new goat.

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You could call the Saanen goat the best of the best. Their average milk yield is about 838 kg. in a lactation of 264 days. Their milk has a minimum of 3.2% fat and 2.7% protein.

Their milk is used for the usual dairy products including milk, cheese, yoghurt, ice cream and sometimes even soap. Their milk is rich in nutrients and is known for having many health benefits. It has all the usual benefits of typical goat milk that has made the milk so popular. Goat milk is surprisingly close to human milk in its enzymatic composition which means that we get more out of it.

The health benefits are astonishing, which makes it no surprise that there is a rise in the demand for goat milk. If you are contemplating buying a goat, you need to ask yourself what these goats will do for you: if you want a goat for show, for meat or for dairy. The Saanen goat is the perfect dairy goat because of its productivity. This would be a good place to start dairy goat farming. 

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They are rugged, vigorous animals that are full of energy and need plenty of space to roam about.

Does are very feminine and they should never have coarse hair. Their hair tends to be short and fine, although fringes along the spine and thighs are not uncommon. Saanens are either white or light cream; spots on the skin are not a problem but spots on the fur is not ideal.

Their fair skin and hair means that they do not do well in hot climates. They are extremely sensitive to sunlight and will perform better in cooler climates. If you buy one of these goats, the provision of shade is absolutely vital.

Their ears should always be straight, alert and preferably pointing forward. Their faces are usually straight or dished, it does not matter. A Roman nose or tendency towards a Roman nose is not a good thing and is generally looked down on.

Saanens are bred all around the world, so this has led to a few sub-breeds that have formed over the years. A true Saanen goat will always be white or light cream with few to no spots on the fur.

As with most purebred goats in America, Saanen goat kids can cost between $100-$300. This price can differ between breeders and mature goats will cost a lot more. It is always important to remember that goats do not do well on their own. They need companionship since they are herd animals by nature. Treating a goat like a pet will be harmful for their development. You can give them love and affection, but ultimately, they are still farm animals.

It is always best to buy two goats to start off with. If you are new to goat farming and want a herd, it is still best to start off with two or three goats. A larger herd will be more difficult to handle if you do not have a lot of experience. Starting off small will give you the necessary expertise to handle a larger herd of your own later. It might also be less expensive to breed your own herd, adding as you need.

Saanens are not particularly prone to illness, but they do need to be vaccinated against the common viruses. Before you buy your goat, consult your vet to find out which vaccines and deworming schedules you need to follow and how much they will cost. It would also be helpful to come up with a feeding schedule too.

Here are a couple of places where you can buy a certified Saanen goat.

• Ripshin Goat Dairy
• Caprikorn Farms

• The ADGA

Any goat can be harvested for meat, but that doesn’t mean that they should. Saanen goats are famous for their large quantities of milk. Other than that, they can make great pets and show animals.

Saanen goats can produce up to 3 gallons of milk daily with a butterfat content of 3%.

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All breeds of goats are different and are used for different purposes. If you are interested in starting a goat farm, you need to know the differences so that the animals you get suit your purposes. In this article, we will be discussing Nubian goats.

You will find everything you need to know or have ever wondered about this breed. You will learn where they came from, how to look after them, what you can expect to pay for them as well as other interesting facts. Once you are done, you will know exactly what you are getting yourself into should you decide to raise and breed Nubian goats.

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They are mostly quiet as long as they are well-looked after and will not cause much trouble. Anglo-Nubians have long, pendulous ears and markedly convex nasal bone; it should be noted that the males’ heads are usually more pronounced.

They have an upright stance that is reminiscent of Swiss breeds and there is a pronounced brisket and high withers. Females tend to have short glossier coats, while males have longer and hasher coats. They are among the heaviest and tallest breeds with males averaging 140 kgs. and females 110 kgs.

Anglo-Nubian goats are known for being strong and sturdy, the breed also ages very well. Females have been known to breed and produce quality milk well despite being over the age of twelve. The breed is also well-known for its fertility. Twins, triplets and even quadruplets are more than likely if the dam is well managed. The breed can come in a variety of different colors, which makes breeding interesting.

The ideal Anglo-Nubian will be an alert animal. If it is healthy it will stand tall. A wry nose is not acceptable. The ears should be wider than the nose, and the neck should not have any tassels.

A factor that holds many back from starting their own goat farm is the price. They are unsure of how much it will cost or where to start. The best place to start would be to buy the goat. Most goat kids are priced between $100-$300.

This price may change between breeds and may depend on how purebred your Nubian goat is. Females also tend to cost more. If you plan on breeding the goats, you must make sure that the goat has high-quality lines; you will have to pay more for good stock.

You cannot just buy one goat. Goats are herd animals, and they will be unhappy on their own. An unhappy goat is a loud goat – save yourself the agony and get more than one goat.

As with most animals, purchasing them is only the beginning. You will need to put up a simple fence because goats are good at being where they are not supposed to be. Besides the fence, you need to keep in mind that goats prefer a varied diet.​

You will need to research the prices of the different feeds to get the best prices in your area. Goats also need supplements and regular care. You will only need vet care in emergencies since Nubians are such a sturdy breed, and you can do most of the care yourself.

Goats need a lot of space to roam, especially Nubians since they get big; about 500 square feet should be enough for two goats.

Your Nubian will survive mostly off hay; if they have no other choice, that will be all they eat. But goats love variety and do well when you spice things up for them. A handful of grains every now and then, some treats from the garden or alfalfa pellets will go a long way and make your goat happier.

When you get your Nubian, your vet will put together a basic vaccination schedule. You will need to follow this to make sure that your goats stay healthy. Pregnant does will also have their own vaccination schedule, so it would be wise to consult your vet. You should also expect a deworming schedule, which will be more regular in northern climates.

Every Nubian is different, so when it comes to taking care of their hooves, check factors such as weather, growth rate and natural wear. It is recommended that you trim their hooves every month.

To keep them healthy, make sure that you give them regular supplements, fresh water, and a salt block to lick.

When your doe gets pregnant, make sure that you vaccinate them for Clostridium perfringens about one month before they give birth. Once the kids have been birthed, you need to wait for six weeks before vaccinating the kids. After that, you need to take them for a booster about 3-4 weeks later.

Breeding does depend on climate, although since Nubians do well in most climates, their breeding seasons differ slightly from other breeds.

Does become fertile at a very young age, and most will be ready to give birth at about two months. Most farmers wait until the doe is about 7 months or older before they start breeding.

Male goats will also be ready to breed after 7 months. The doe’s pregnancy will last about 5 months, giving you plenty of time to get ready for the new offspring. It is important to remember that healthy parents will be more fertile and give birth to more kids.