Housing

Goats need a shelter. Most do not like to get wet. A three-sided shelter is sufficient, but a barn or goat house is optimal. Goats need a tall fence that will keep them in and keep predators out.  Goats will try to get as high as possible, so having shelves off the ground, like raised pallets are excellent places for them to lounge. We have an old tire half way in the ground and they love to play King of the Mountain on it!  Heat lamps may be needed if temps drop below freezing. This is mainly for young kids who are still regulating body temperatures. We don't have this issue in Florida much.

 

Feed

Hay is a must. Our goats love peanut hay, but can be fed alfalfa, timothy & alfalfa  mix or orchard & alfalfa mix.  They need the real actual hay so their rumens can digest it. You know they have browsed on enough hay when they are lounging around chewing their cud.  You can have hay pellets available for them when you can't get actual hay, but that shouldn't be their regular source. Grain is optional but necessary for young goats transitioning from milk to hay. Grain has nutrients they need to grow and put on weight, but too much grain can make them fat and unhealthy. We offer a mixture of  grain formulated for goats mixed with black oil sunflower seeds, alfalfa pellets and occasionally calf manna. Our girls get about 2 cups a day on the milk stand. Our boys only get grain as treats about once a week.

Clean water.

Loose goat minerals.

Treats. Ours love banana peels, orange peels and strawberry tops.

 

Goat Supplies we keep on hand

Wormer (Valbazen, Cydectin, Ivermectin) or other natural methods

Goat probiotic paste

Power Punch

B-12

BOSE

copper bolus

baking soda - for bloat treatment

CD&T vaccine & syringes

hoof trimmers