Download The Essentials of Managing a Goat Farm

The Essentials of
Managing a Goat Farm
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Holly-Nicole Craghead
Introduction…. To Goats
Goat Facts
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Picky eaters, they nibble
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Clean animals
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The billys stink
Many domesticated goat breeds
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They don’t eat beer bottles
At least 60
Herd animals
Versatile
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Live in diverse climates
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desert, mountain, tropical, plains
Average life is 10 – 12 years, but they can live up to 30
Mischievous…
Curious…
Inquisitive…
History…
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Greek Mythology
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Pan: Greek goat god of shepherds and flocks
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Lustful
Protector
Pan pipe
Bible
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Jesus said, “as a good shepherd would divide his
sheep from his goats”
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Goats got the shaft
Goats are then seen as outcasts
Housing…
Ideal Goat Housing Should Be:
Dry
Draft-Free
Well Ventilated
Health…
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Hearty
Diseases include:
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Pneumonia
Parasites
Lungworms
Liver fluke
Lice
Vaccine schedule
Impt!
Feed…
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ALWAYS have plenty of fresh
water
Feed goats:
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Do NOT feed
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Weeds, grasses, hay, barley,
bran, corn, alfalfa, clover,
sugar beets
Treats: cabbage, carrots,
turnips, beets
Milo – causes urinary calculi
Only alfalfa – causes bloat
Changes in feed should be
done gradually
Breeding…
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Puberty @ ½ year old
Estrus is a 21 day
cycle, lasting 1–2
days
Gestation 145 days
Seasonal breeders
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Influenced by the
length of daylight
Breed August through
February
“Kidding”
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Baby goats are called “kids”
Goats rarely need help kidding
Birthing Kit
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What to expect
What to do and when
Supplies needed for birth
Management of the nanny and
kid post birth
Each kid weighs between 1
and 5 Kg.
Offspring
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single, twins (most common),
triplets, quads
Products…
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Milk –yogurt, cheese, soap
Meat–chevon (cabrito)
Fiber–wool, mohair
Thank You
“That’s The End.”