If you have already tried taking care of various animals, this must not give you the impression that you can easily handle goat care. Each kind of animal needs varying degrees of attention, care and needs. You have to make sure that you know what you are doing before you proceed with the task.
To make sure that you will know what to do once you begin with the process, it is advisable that you first research about the matter before anything else. You will thank the internet if you are into this kind of quest because you will find lots of websites that can give you ample information about this topic. It will be a lot of help if you can look at pictures or video tutorials that talk about this subject. This way, you will get a clearer view about what to do at various instances as you go about the process of taking care of goats.
To start with, here are the vital factors and elements that you should look into when you are very much decided to pursue this quest.
1. Fence. The best quality that you can opt when it comes to fencing is stock paneling. This is also the most cost effective method when it comes to this. The panels can help in containing your animals in small areas. Aside from being affordable, these panels can be easily installed and removed. You can even do this on your own and you no longer need to hire skilled hands.
2. Shelter. If the weather is good, your goats will be happy to roam around the area where you leave them. But if it is raining or during winter season, your goats need some kind of shelter where they can feel comfortable and they can avoid getting wet. The shelter can be made out of three walls and a good roof that will stand still against gutsy winds and rains. It will be better if you have dirt floors so that the urine will soak on the ground and with this, fewer beddings will be needed to be placed in the area.
3. Food. Goats are really picky eaters and they want their hays fresh and green. If you will let them look for anything that they can feed on, they might turn away from eating anything, especially if they cannot find anything that they want. The hays that they need were grown for this purpose, such as timothy grass, orchard grass and alfalfa. Its quality can be determined based on the manner by which it was cured in the field. When the hay is drying and it suddenly rains and it gets wet, it will lose its nutritional value and it will also develop molds. If it gets too dry, this will also present a problem because its nutrition is going to be lost, especially during the baling process.
Once you have taken these tips by heart, you are on the right path and there will be greater chances that you will succeed on your venture with goat care.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Health Alerts And Goat Care
Every goat-raiser should always be on the alert regarding their goat’s health. Preventive goat care is still the best defense against diseases that are expensive to treat or control.
Health issues are a daily occurrence in a farm.
Bad signs
Pay attention to goats that stay away from the main herd. Check if he is not eating at all and has an abnormal body posture (head hanging down, slow strained gait). Goats separate themselves from the herd only if they are about to give birth or, worse, is sick.
Goat droppings (feces) always show the state of health of the owner. If the droppings are clumping together, or if the goat is scouring, the signs could point to diarrhea. If they are very hard, there could also be another thing wrong.
Then there is the goat that is lagging behind and cannot keep up with the herd. Are the goat’s feet and legs swollen?
Is there an animal in your herd that has suddenly and inexplicably lost weight?
Have you noticed any signs of swelling underneath the chin? It could point out to internal parasites in his system. If the swelling is in the throat, it might be goiter.
Do you have a goat with an abnormal gait? Is it staggering, limping? You may have a case of tetanus.
Are the fur of your animals dull and rough? If they are, it could mean some nutritional deficiencies or some other underlying disease.
Are there fluid discharges (pus, mucus, blood) from any of the body orifices of your animals? Fluid discharges are usually results of the ongoing battle of the body and some internal illness.
Some identified diseases
Since your animals are free-ranging, they can collect parasites. These vermin feed on the animal’s system that hinders growth, degrades health, and sometimes can be fatal.
Coccidia are intestinal worms that slow down or stop the growth of kids. It takes time to notice this parasite. Young kids are at highest risk.
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Syndrome (CAE) is caused by a virus and is transmitted from adults to young kids. Symptoms include a weakness in the rear legs that gradually lose muscle strength and kills.
Adults have swollen joints, mostly in the knees. The afflicted goat never recovers from the arthritis.
Mastitis is an inflammation caused by bacteria. There is discoloration of the udder tissues and the milk is abnormal.
Hygienic practices during milking are the best defense. (Wash your hands and the udders before and after milking, and during transfer from doe to doe.)
Ketosis (pregnancy toxemia) attacks pregnant does. This disease is actually triggered by the sudden demand of the body for extra energy (caused by the developing fetus) and the inability of the doe to eat enough to provide this.
The doe’s body will then metabolize her own store of fat, producing ketone bodies. The doe becomes weak, lose muscle control and balance, and could die.
For prevention, do not allow the doe to get fat in pregnancy and provide an extra pound or two of grains in the last month.
As goat raisers, it is good policy to be always on health alert. Even ticks can become a major pest. Goat care is not that difficult, but vigilance is a good practice.
Health issues are a daily occurrence in a farm.
Bad signs
Pay attention to goats that stay away from the main herd. Check if he is not eating at all and has an abnormal body posture (head hanging down, slow strained gait). Goats separate themselves from the herd only if they are about to give birth or, worse, is sick.
Goat droppings (feces) always show the state of health of the owner. If the droppings are clumping together, or if the goat is scouring, the signs could point to diarrhea. If they are very hard, there could also be another thing wrong.
Then there is the goat that is lagging behind and cannot keep up with the herd. Are the goat’s feet and legs swollen?
Is there an animal in your herd that has suddenly and inexplicably lost weight?
Have you noticed any signs of swelling underneath the chin? It could point out to internal parasites in his system. If the swelling is in the throat, it might be goiter.
Do you have a goat with an abnormal gait? Is it staggering, limping? You may have a case of tetanus.
Are the fur of your animals dull and rough? If they are, it could mean some nutritional deficiencies or some other underlying disease.
Are there fluid discharges (pus, mucus, blood) from any of the body orifices of your animals? Fluid discharges are usually results of the ongoing battle of the body and some internal illness.
Some identified diseases
Since your animals are free-ranging, they can collect parasites. These vermin feed on the animal’s system that hinders growth, degrades health, and sometimes can be fatal.
Coccidia are intestinal worms that slow down or stop the growth of kids. It takes time to notice this parasite. Young kids are at highest risk.
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Syndrome (CAE) is caused by a virus and is transmitted from adults to young kids. Symptoms include a weakness in the rear legs that gradually lose muscle strength and kills.
Adults have swollen joints, mostly in the knees. The afflicted goat never recovers from the arthritis.
Mastitis is an inflammation caused by bacteria. There is discoloration of the udder tissues and the milk is abnormal.
Hygienic practices during milking are the best defense. (Wash your hands and the udders before and after milking, and during transfer from doe to doe.)
Ketosis (pregnancy toxemia) attacks pregnant does. This disease is actually triggered by the sudden demand of the body for extra energy (caused by the developing fetus) and the inability of the doe to eat enough to provide this.
The doe’s body will then metabolize her own store of fat, producing ketone bodies. The doe becomes weak, lose muscle control and balance, and could die.
For prevention, do not allow the doe to get fat in pregnancy and provide an extra pound or two of grains in the last month.
As goat raisers, it is good policy to be always on health alert. Even ticks can become a major pest. Goat care is not that difficult, but vigilance is a good practice.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Goat Care is More Than Just Safety and Health Maintenance
People usually get into the practice of keeping goats for several reasons, some for monetary reasons and some for the heck of keeping goats as pets, still it is also equally important to know that goat care is more than just safety and health maintenance.
There are people who raise goats to provide meat and milk, cashmere or mohair, to graze grasslands and clearing the landscape or simply for pets at home.
Goats are more popular among developing countries where it is mostly used for the production of milk and other dairy products.
Although goats are hardy animals and does not seem to demand so much of your effort, especially in terms of maintaining their shelter, for which most of their needs would rely mostly on them getting just dry bedding during wet seasons or winter, and adequate shelter to prevent them from getting wet during the rainy season or the intense heat of the sun.
As much as possible, make sure to house no less than two goats in a shelter, since goats are pack animals and would long to have a companion, otherwise, they could get lonely and lose their appetite for food.
Ensure that your goats are fenced in, where they cannot easily get our and also prevent other domestic or wild animals from getting into the pens, which will also serve to protect your goats not just from being preyed upon, but would also prevent them from contracting disease from other animal carriers.
It is also important in making sure that they also have ready access to quality feeding hay and grain every day, as well as regular supplementation of vitamins and minerals that they need to stay healthy.
If you are stacking hay for feeding, make sure that it does not sit too long on the ground that it will start to get moldy or dirty, for which goats have the tendency of ignoring and rather feed on fresher ones.
If too much hay is stacked in a barn, make sure to always keep it clean and ready for consumption by the goats during feeding, that way you minimize wastage and prevent your goats from getting contaminated or infected by any ground –borne disease or parasites.
Every so often, also introduce your goats to new pasture or feed them with freshly cut green hay, since this would not only provide a variety for your goats during feeding, it will also prevent your goats from getting bloated or getting ill.
Although goats are also hardy animals, it is also advised for them to get regular vaccination, for which partnering with a local veterinarian is also important in ensuring that these regular vaccinations are getting done.
Though it would cost you some dollars to maintain their regular vaccinations, it is practically better than spending thousands of dollars in having them treated for diseases that have easily been prevented through the timely and proper administration of animal vaccines.
So by now you know that goat care is more than just safety and health maintenance, it is also making sure that you are aware of how it would benefit your goats and you as the owner as well.
There are people who raise goats to provide meat and milk, cashmere or mohair, to graze grasslands and clearing the landscape or simply for pets at home.
Goats are more popular among developing countries where it is mostly used for the production of milk and other dairy products.
Although goats are hardy animals and does not seem to demand so much of your effort, especially in terms of maintaining their shelter, for which most of their needs would rely mostly on them getting just dry bedding during wet seasons or winter, and adequate shelter to prevent them from getting wet during the rainy season or the intense heat of the sun.
As much as possible, make sure to house no less than two goats in a shelter, since goats are pack animals and would long to have a companion, otherwise, they could get lonely and lose their appetite for food.
Ensure that your goats are fenced in, where they cannot easily get our and also prevent other domestic or wild animals from getting into the pens, which will also serve to protect your goats not just from being preyed upon, but would also prevent them from contracting disease from other animal carriers.
It is also important in making sure that they also have ready access to quality feeding hay and grain every day, as well as regular supplementation of vitamins and minerals that they need to stay healthy.
If you are stacking hay for feeding, make sure that it does not sit too long on the ground that it will start to get moldy or dirty, for which goats have the tendency of ignoring and rather feed on fresher ones.
If too much hay is stacked in a barn, make sure to always keep it clean and ready for consumption by the goats during feeding, that way you minimize wastage and prevent your goats from getting contaminated or infected by any ground –borne disease or parasites.
Every so often, also introduce your goats to new pasture or feed them with freshly cut green hay, since this would not only provide a variety for your goats during feeding, it will also prevent your goats from getting bloated or getting ill.
Although goats are also hardy animals, it is also advised for them to get regular vaccination, for which partnering with a local veterinarian is also important in ensuring that these regular vaccinations are getting done.
Though it would cost you some dollars to maintain their regular vaccinations, it is practically better than spending thousands of dollars in having them treated for diseases that have easily been prevented through the timely and proper administration of animal vaccines.
So by now you know that goat care is more than just safety and health maintenance, it is also making sure that you are aware of how it would benefit your goats and you as the owner as well.
Goat Care For Boers
Imported from New Zealand (they originally come from South Africa), Boer goat care is taking American goat raisers by storm. Reportedly, the breed is bringing out some of the more desirable features in goats (bulk, ease of care, meat quality, etc).
There are many other reasons, too, but the biggest could be that the Boers seem to be the hardiest among all the other breeds. Coupled with providing the most meat (and the tastiest, some would swear), Boers are also relatively easy to raise and care.
The Boers
Boer goats are large animals, generally white, with a red-brown head and long ears hanging down the sides of their faces. Males usually weigh between 200 to 350 pounds. The does can reach up to 200 pounds.
Boer goats resemble the Nubian, except for the size. Boers are large-framed and double-muscled, the leg bones and the whole bone structure bigger and thicker than the other breeds.
They have deep, broad chests, good back and strong shoulders, with heavy muscles in the rump. They are specifically raised for meat and they grow more rapidly and produce more muscling that other breed.
Why raise Boer goats
The breed is hardy, very adaptable and is easier to handle. Both the pure and the cross-breeds can survive on poor pasture that cannot support cattle.
Some ranchers use them for pasture management: they run these goats to clean up on the pasture lands after their cows.
The other reason for raising Boers is efficiency and space. Compared to cattle, the standard is one cow-calf pair for every acre of good pasture. It would be 6 does-two kids per acre for goats.
Comparisons on feeds for one cow and six goats would be great depending on the time of the year, pasture types, and regions. However, the big difference in sales would certainly make goat-raising, specifically the Boer breed a runaway winner.
Getting started
Buy your goats from reputable breeders rather than at stock yard auctions. Your Boer goats and your bucks, including cross-breeds should have papers.
Blood lines are not that important for buyers interested in goat meat, but the registration papers are your guarantee for being sure of your purchase. Besides, it is also for maintaining the resale value of your buck.
Keep a pedigree or a pedigree application with you before leaving with your animal. Ask questions. Take notes on their current disease control programs.
It pays to assess the condition of the whole herd from the farm where you bought your Boer. Check and see how the animals mature, if you are buying kids.
Make sure your breeder has a guarantee should your animal turn out to be a non-breeder. (This is a long shot, and happens very, very rarely.)
Other considerations
All over the world, goat meat is consumed by more than 80% of the total population. It could be that people already knew that goat meat has lower fat content than that of either lamb or beef.
In the United States, goat meat consumption is rising. One reason forwarded is that the improved meat flavor comes from the Boer variety. People claim Boer crossbreeds gives out mild and tender red goat meat.
Boer goat care, anyone?
There are many other reasons, too, but the biggest could be that the Boers seem to be the hardiest among all the other breeds. Coupled with providing the most meat (and the tastiest, some would swear), Boers are also relatively easy to raise and care.
The Boers
Boer goats are large animals, generally white, with a red-brown head and long ears hanging down the sides of their faces. Males usually weigh between 200 to 350 pounds. The does can reach up to 200 pounds.
Boer goats resemble the Nubian, except for the size. Boers are large-framed and double-muscled, the leg bones and the whole bone structure bigger and thicker than the other breeds.
They have deep, broad chests, good back and strong shoulders, with heavy muscles in the rump. They are specifically raised for meat and they grow more rapidly and produce more muscling that other breed.
Why raise Boer goats
The breed is hardy, very adaptable and is easier to handle. Both the pure and the cross-breeds can survive on poor pasture that cannot support cattle.
Some ranchers use them for pasture management: they run these goats to clean up on the pasture lands after their cows.
The other reason for raising Boers is efficiency and space. Compared to cattle, the standard is one cow-calf pair for every acre of good pasture. It would be 6 does-two kids per acre for goats.
Comparisons on feeds for one cow and six goats would be great depending on the time of the year, pasture types, and regions. However, the big difference in sales would certainly make goat-raising, specifically the Boer breed a runaway winner.
Getting started
Buy your goats from reputable breeders rather than at stock yard auctions. Your Boer goats and your bucks, including cross-breeds should have papers.
Blood lines are not that important for buyers interested in goat meat, but the registration papers are your guarantee for being sure of your purchase. Besides, it is also for maintaining the resale value of your buck.
Keep a pedigree or a pedigree application with you before leaving with your animal. Ask questions. Take notes on their current disease control programs.
It pays to assess the condition of the whole herd from the farm where you bought your Boer. Check and see how the animals mature, if you are buying kids.
Make sure your breeder has a guarantee should your animal turn out to be a non-breeder. (This is a long shot, and happens very, very rarely.)
Other considerations
All over the world, goat meat is consumed by more than 80% of the total population. It could be that people already knew that goat meat has lower fat content than that of either lamb or beef.
In the United States, goat meat consumption is rising. One reason forwarded is that the improved meat flavor comes from the Boer variety. People claim Boer crossbreeds gives out mild and tender red goat meat.
Boer goat care, anyone?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Goat Care Essentials for Novice Caretakers
You love animals and your house looks more like a zoo. You want to keep on adding up different animals as your pets that now, you are eyeing to try goat care. No matter how skillful you are in caring for all the animals that you already have, you must understand that goats have different needs from the rest of your pets.
To make sure that you can give the kind of attention and care that all your animals need before you add goats on the growing list, you have to be certain that you can commit to the task. If you have a full time job and you are doing this to relax after a tough day at work, find someone who will look after your pets whenever you are not at home.
You may have been a very experienced pet owner, but you are still novice when it comes to looking after goats. To make it easier for you to understand what are at stake and what should you expect in the process, here are some of the essential things and tips that you must know beforehand.
1. If you have been advised that goats will feed on just about anything, you've got it all wrong. It is not as simple as that and you cannot merely leave the goats to feed at areas where there are plant and hope that they will survive. If they don't like the quality of plants or the condition of hays that you will provide for them, they would rather not eat.
This is like handling a child who is a picky eater. You know what they want and you have to give it to them, not unless it is okay with you that they would starve themselves to death. High quality grains and fresh, green hays should be given to goats at a daily basis. You have to consult their vets about the vitamins and nutrients that you need to supply them with, especially when they are still young and vulnerable.
2. They hate it when they get wet, so you need to build a shelter where they can stay during wet and winter seasons. This shelter should contain dry bedding where your animals can be comfortable lying in. You will suffer as well from the consequences of an irate pet goat. They won't allow you to sleep as they will cry and you will notice that they are really uneasy of they cannot sleep or eat well.
3. Give them companions on their shelter because they tend to feel depressed if they are all alone most of the time. If you are going to make goats as pets, you better be prepared to buy more than one. If you are used at living alone and doing most things on your own, you can't expect your goat to be happy at such state.
Goat care is like an adventure because it can be easy most of the time but there are certain factors and days when it can also be tricky.
To make sure that you can give the kind of attention and care that all your animals need before you add goats on the growing list, you have to be certain that you can commit to the task. If you have a full time job and you are doing this to relax after a tough day at work, find someone who will look after your pets whenever you are not at home.
You may have been a very experienced pet owner, but you are still novice when it comes to looking after goats. To make it easier for you to understand what are at stake and what should you expect in the process, here are some of the essential things and tips that you must know beforehand.
1. If you have been advised that goats will feed on just about anything, you've got it all wrong. It is not as simple as that and you cannot merely leave the goats to feed at areas where there are plant and hope that they will survive. If they don't like the quality of plants or the condition of hays that you will provide for them, they would rather not eat.
This is like handling a child who is a picky eater. You know what they want and you have to give it to them, not unless it is okay with you that they would starve themselves to death. High quality grains and fresh, green hays should be given to goats at a daily basis. You have to consult their vets about the vitamins and nutrients that you need to supply them with, especially when they are still young and vulnerable.
2. They hate it when they get wet, so you need to build a shelter where they can stay during wet and winter seasons. This shelter should contain dry bedding where your animals can be comfortable lying in. You will suffer as well from the consequences of an irate pet goat. They won't allow you to sleep as they will cry and you will notice that they are really uneasy of they cannot sleep or eat well.
3. Give them companions on their shelter because they tend to feel depressed if they are all alone most of the time. If you are going to make goats as pets, you better be prepared to buy more than one. If you are used at living alone and doing most things on your own, you can't expect your goat to be happy at such state.
Goat care is like an adventure because it can be easy most of the time but there are certain factors and days when it can also be tricky.
Goat Care And Diseases
Like all animals, goats also suffer a variety of diseases, some of which are dangerous and fatal to them. As their caretaker, you must at least be in the know about their most common health enemies.
Coccidia
These are intestinal parasites that cause foamy, bloody diarrhea and dull dry coats. A goat with coccidiosis (coccidia infestation) sometimes has no obvious symptoms at all.
Young kids at four months are at their highest risk and should be treated at least once. The most obvious symptom is that they are not growing as well as they should.
There are medications specific to this disease. If in doubt, you can take a stool sample to a veterinarian who specializes in ruminant animals.
Ketosis
Also known as pregnancy toxemia, ketosis happens late in a doe’s pregnancy. Symptoms include depression, disinterest in food, poor muscle control and balance.
Ketosis sometimes occurs when the doe is carrying two or more kids, or is very fat. The disease is caused by the sudden extra demand for energy by the unborn kids and the inability of the doe to eat enough to provide this energy.
Many does test positive for ketone bodies in their urine. This is a toxic by-product when the doe rapidly metabolizes fat in her body.
Propylene glycol at 2 to 3 ounces twice a day can help. To prevent this, do not let the doe get fat in pregnancy. In the last month of pregnancy, provide her with 1 to 2 pounds of grain in addition to hay.
Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Syndrome (CAE)
This is a viral disease, usually transmitted by adults to young kids through contact or milk from an infected doe to her kid.
Symptoms include weakness in the rear legs, without fever or loss of appetite. However, the unused legs lose muscle strength and the kid eventually dies.
In older goats, symptoms are seen in swollen joints, especially the knees. The disease develops slowly. After 2 years, the animal has difficulty using its legs.
There are no corrective procedures or treatments. Preventive measures include isolating the kids at birth and raising them on pasteurized goat milk to prevent the spread.
During purchase, make sure a goat is free from CAE. Unfortunately, blood tests only checks for antibodies. A kid might be infected but is not yet producing antibodies.
Mastitis
This is an inflammation of the mammary gland of the animals caused by bacteria. Symptoms include swelling, heat, pain, tissue discoloration and abnormal milk.
The most common causes include rough treatment and unclean milking practices.
For preventive measures, wash the goat’s udders before milking. Spray the teats with a teat dip after milking. Wash your hands before and after milking each goat to prevent spreading the disease.
It is important to consult a vet since there are different strains of bacteria that cause mastitis. If left untreated, the doe may die or lose the udder.
Other diseases
There are minor illnesses that can strike your herd, but these four are the most virulent among all others. Goat care also means being extra alert to spot these deadly four.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Goat Care And Behavior Problems
Aside from getting to know the usual disease problems, goat care has other problems that are sometimes hard to deal with. This is very true for beginning herd owners (or plain owners who own some animals only for recreation) and their goats with behavior problems.
Although by nature they are not aggressive, some goats (bucks and does alike) develop behavioral problems that need to be solved in time. Here’s a random list. Some have solutions; the rest have only suggestions for actions.
Buck problems
Never play with buck kids or they will continue to do so as adults and can cause injuries. Also, dehorn your buck kids. With horns, bucks tend to be naturally aggressive.
Here’s an anecdote. A buck might stop butting you if you hit it with water between the eyes from a squirt gun (or a water bottle) coupled with saying a firm “No!”
Buck odors are reduced by de-scenting him. This can be done while he is dehorned. (This is usually done when the buck is about two weeks old.)
Fighting does
Depending on individual behavior, some does seem more disposed to fighting than the others. Unless they are pregnant, the worst injuries are bruised heads with some bleeding. (These might cause some infections, if not treated.)
Some milking troubles
Individual does have individual attitudes in showing their dislike of milking. Have a milk stand and use it before her first freshening. (You can use it for hoof trimming, worming and other activities.)
Frequently handle their udders when they are young. Hopefully, they will get used to it until they become milk producers.
Have the does get used to set routines of regimented activities that include feed presentations, washing, and drying. This way, they will be trained to stand still while being milked.
Some does are kickers. Some like men to milk them. Some resent being milked by someone they are not familiar with.
Some can be tricked into being milked by having one of their kids work on the other teat while you milk the other.
Aggressions
Some does simply do the unthinkable: they attack their own newborns. They butt them ferociously especially when the kid tries to nurse. They tend to go after their first-born, and let the others nurse freely.
One solution (though not foolproof) is to separate the kid, but letting it nurse off her (several times a day) while she is being restrained. You may have to do this until weaning.
Another way is to feed the kid yourself and raise him on a bottle. (At milking time, fill a bottle for the kid’s share. Feed it straight away to avoid heating up the bottle.)
Some suggestions include rubbing some of the birthing fluids from the favored kid all over the rejected one to confuse her. There had been some sporadic success with this technique. Sometimes, she will unexplainably accept the kid after some time.
The bleater
Some Nubians will associate your presence with food, and they will show their impatience with so much noise. One way of breaking this is to show up in the barn and not feeding them, just breaking up the routine.
Other behavioral problems
Goat care differs from goat to goat. You simply have to pack enough patience in dealing with them. Sometimes you get lucky.
Although by nature they are not aggressive, some goats (bucks and does alike) develop behavioral problems that need to be solved in time. Here’s a random list. Some have solutions; the rest have only suggestions for actions.
Buck problems
Never play with buck kids or they will continue to do so as adults and can cause injuries. Also, dehorn your buck kids. With horns, bucks tend to be naturally aggressive.
Here’s an anecdote. A buck might stop butting you if you hit it with water between the eyes from a squirt gun (or a water bottle) coupled with saying a firm “No!”
Buck odors are reduced by de-scenting him. This can be done while he is dehorned. (This is usually done when the buck is about two weeks old.)
Fighting does
Depending on individual behavior, some does seem more disposed to fighting than the others. Unless they are pregnant, the worst injuries are bruised heads with some bleeding. (These might cause some infections, if not treated.)
Some milking troubles
Individual does have individual attitudes in showing their dislike of milking. Have a milk stand and use it before her first freshening. (You can use it for hoof trimming, worming and other activities.)
Frequently handle their udders when they are young. Hopefully, they will get used to it until they become milk producers.
Have the does get used to set routines of regimented activities that include feed presentations, washing, and drying. This way, they will be trained to stand still while being milked.
Some does are kickers. Some like men to milk them. Some resent being milked by someone they are not familiar with.
Some can be tricked into being milked by having one of their kids work on the other teat while you milk the other.
Aggressions
Some does simply do the unthinkable: they attack their own newborns. They butt them ferociously especially when the kid tries to nurse. They tend to go after their first-born, and let the others nurse freely.
One solution (though not foolproof) is to separate the kid, but letting it nurse off her (several times a day) while she is being restrained. You may have to do this until weaning.
Another way is to feed the kid yourself and raise him on a bottle. (At milking time, fill a bottle for the kid’s share. Feed it straight away to avoid heating up the bottle.)
Some suggestions include rubbing some of the birthing fluids from the favored kid all over the rejected one to confuse her. There had been some sporadic success with this technique. Sometimes, she will unexplainably accept the kid after some time.
The bleater
Some Nubians will associate your presence with food, and they will show their impatience with so much noise. One way of breaking this is to show up in the barn and not feeding them, just breaking up the routine.
Other behavioral problems
Goat care differs from goat to goat. You simply have to pack enough patience in dealing with them. Sometimes you get lucky.
Getting Started on a Goat Farm with Proper Goat Care
Getting started on a goat farm is not that complicated, but with an idea about proper goat care, all you need is a bit of passion and know some trivia about goats.
Here is a hodge podge of information about goats that could help motivate and inspire you more with your goat farm venture.
Goats generally eat grass, but in order for them to be more healthy, your local veterinary supply store sells vitamins and mineral supplements intended for goats, as well as goat feed that are fortified with essential nutrients that can help keep your goats in tip top shape.
For those that are just starting out in goat farming and would like to know how to make goats eat more to be more productive, always keep your goats in suitable pens and avoid crowding them too much in one space.
Always make sure to maintain an average temperature within your goat pens, to avoid agitating your goats that may hamper in their productivity and prevent you from getting the optimum results that you expect from your animals.
Although many people believe that goats do not always need water, they actually do. So always have a steady supply of clean water available, especially during the warmer months since drinking water is one way for goats to keep cool and avoid getting disrupted from their usual productivity, like for breeding, milk produce or wool production.
Avoid feeding goats with rotting food or contaminated grains or feeds, since this could cause goats to get sick or even die, especially if the contaminated food is ingested right away.
This is also true in keeping or storing goat feed inside rodent –free containers. This is to keep the food from getting contaminated by rats, especially those that usually forage garbage and trash, since they are common carriers of disease and getting your goats contaminated by these pests could potentially be dangerous to your entire herd.
It is also best to keep your haystack on a haystand or a platform, which will keep the hay off the ground, to avoid it from getting wet and may become moldy or may serve to potentially become a habitat for ground -dwelling insects or rodents.
Goats are also the picky type, since they will not drink water from a dirty container or bucket, so always make it a point to keep their water containers for drinking always clean and replaced with fresh water regularly, lest they suffer from dehydration and eventually die.
Always make it a point to have immediate contact with a veterinarian at any given time, since goats are generally susceptible to common farm animal diseases and although there are available treatments available for most of these common diseases, having a veterinarian administer treatment right away will prevent one from incurring further losses due to infestation of the whole herd.
It is also best advised to feed the goats more during colder seasons, since more food digested by the goats allow for more heat being generated in their bodies.
Do take heed of these ideas and you can be on your way to getting started on a goat farm with proper goat care and be able do it with confidence.
Here is a hodge podge of information about goats that could help motivate and inspire you more with your goat farm venture.
Goats generally eat grass, but in order for them to be more healthy, your local veterinary supply store sells vitamins and mineral supplements intended for goats, as well as goat feed that are fortified with essential nutrients that can help keep your goats in tip top shape.
For those that are just starting out in goat farming and would like to know how to make goats eat more to be more productive, always keep your goats in suitable pens and avoid crowding them too much in one space.
Always make sure to maintain an average temperature within your goat pens, to avoid agitating your goats that may hamper in their productivity and prevent you from getting the optimum results that you expect from your animals.
Although many people believe that goats do not always need water, they actually do. So always have a steady supply of clean water available, especially during the warmer months since drinking water is one way for goats to keep cool and avoid getting disrupted from their usual productivity, like for breeding, milk produce or wool production.
Avoid feeding goats with rotting food or contaminated grains or feeds, since this could cause goats to get sick or even die, especially if the contaminated food is ingested right away.
This is also true in keeping or storing goat feed inside rodent –free containers. This is to keep the food from getting contaminated by rats, especially those that usually forage garbage and trash, since they are common carriers of disease and getting your goats contaminated by these pests could potentially be dangerous to your entire herd.
It is also best to keep your haystack on a haystand or a platform, which will keep the hay off the ground, to avoid it from getting wet and may become moldy or may serve to potentially become a habitat for ground -dwelling insects or rodents.
Goats are also the picky type, since they will not drink water from a dirty container or bucket, so always make it a point to keep their water containers for drinking always clean and replaced with fresh water regularly, lest they suffer from dehydration and eventually die.
Always make it a point to have immediate contact with a veterinarian at any given time, since goats are generally susceptible to common farm animal diseases and although there are available treatments available for most of these common diseases, having a veterinarian administer treatment right away will prevent one from incurring further losses due to infestation of the whole herd.
It is also best advised to feed the goats more during colder seasons, since more food digested by the goats allow for more heat being generated in their bodies.
Do take heed of these ideas and you can be on your way to getting started on a goat farm with proper goat care and be able do it with confidence.
Friday, August 6, 2010
Getting Rid of Illnesses with Proper Goat Care
Goats are generally healthy animals and will remain to be healthy if properly cared for, but there will be times when this becomes inevitable, but surely it will just be easy getting rid of goat illnesses with proper goat care.
It may seem a bit costly to have your animals vaccinated, especially in partnering with a local veterinarian to keep your animals in check, but surely it will mean just a fraction of the cost you can jack up if your herd starts to get ill and leave you spending thousands of dollars in treatment cost, that’s exclusive of costs you may incur due to loss of production.
There are numerous conditions that can affect goats, however, we hope to mention some of the most common ones that can be addressed with proper care, treatment and even prevention.
One of the most common disease that has affected goats in the past is Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis Virus (CAEV), which is a widespread condition among dairy – producing goats, which most of the time, is also transmitted to goat kids by infected does, but can surely be prevented with proper precautionary measures through the administration of vaccines.
At the onset, the effects of Caprine Arthritis is not always visible, since it is a retrovirus that generally infects young goats or kids and do not usually exhibit the symptoms of the disease unless they get older in age.
However, as it starts to afflict older goats, it is indicative of common symptoms like swollen knees or hocks, but the best possible way to identify the disease is through blood tests, but also sometimes has a way of deceiving the blood test since it may sometimes not show up in the blood, making it a less accurate way to determine the disease.
The encephalitis virus, on the other hand, also affects goats of any age, which is characterized by symptoms similar to that of white muscle disease.
It begins with the young kid not able to move their hindlegs, which eventually moves over to progress towards the front legs and so on.
This makes the kid lose appetite and will eventually be unable to eat and drink regardless of the compulsion to do so.
The virus commonly ends in death resulting from seizures.
Technically, there is still no known vaccines or treatment for this virus, but can be prevented though, by isolating the infected animal from the rest of the herd, as well as direct treatment of the symptoms affecting the animals.
As a natural prevention method, it is highly advised that kids of CAEV infected does must be separated from infected does and should be fed with heat –treated colostrums.
Among the other common disorders are ketosis, which is neither a virus nor bacteria, but is simply a deficiency in vital nutrients commonly affecting pregnant does that if left untreated, will cause does to weaken, resist food and water and eventually die.
Another one is selenium deficiency, which can lead to white muscle disease, with effects similar to that of CAEV, characterized by weak muscles and causes tremors in the hind and front legs.
Selenium is a mineral found in the earth and is usually acquired through feeding of fresh grass, but can also be administered as a mineral infusion by veterinarians called Bo –se shots or vaccines.
So it would be best to take very good case of your goats and ensure good health by getting rid of goat illnesses with proper goat care and knowledge.
It may seem a bit costly to have your animals vaccinated, especially in partnering with a local veterinarian to keep your animals in check, but surely it will mean just a fraction of the cost you can jack up if your herd starts to get ill and leave you spending thousands of dollars in treatment cost, that’s exclusive of costs you may incur due to loss of production.
There are numerous conditions that can affect goats, however, we hope to mention some of the most common ones that can be addressed with proper care, treatment and even prevention.
One of the most common disease that has affected goats in the past is Caprine Arthritis and Encephalitis Virus (CAEV), which is a widespread condition among dairy – producing goats, which most of the time, is also transmitted to goat kids by infected does, but can surely be prevented with proper precautionary measures through the administration of vaccines.
At the onset, the effects of Caprine Arthritis is not always visible, since it is a retrovirus that generally infects young goats or kids and do not usually exhibit the symptoms of the disease unless they get older in age.
However, as it starts to afflict older goats, it is indicative of common symptoms like swollen knees or hocks, but the best possible way to identify the disease is through blood tests, but also sometimes has a way of deceiving the blood test since it may sometimes not show up in the blood, making it a less accurate way to determine the disease.
The encephalitis virus, on the other hand, also affects goats of any age, which is characterized by symptoms similar to that of white muscle disease.
It begins with the young kid not able to move their hindlegs, which eventually moves over to progress towards the front legs and so on.
This makes the kid lose appetite and will eventually be unable to eat and drink regardless of the compulsion to do so.
The virus commonly ends in death resulting from seizures.
Technically, there is still no known vaccines or treatment for this virus, but can be prevented though, by isolating the infected animal from the rest of the herd, as well as direct treatment of the symptoms affecting the animals.
As a natural prevention method, it is highly advised that kids of CAEV infected does must be separated from infected does and should be fed with heat –treated colostrums.
Among the other common disorders are ketosis, which is neither a virus nor bacteria, but is simply a deficiency in vital nutrients commonly affecting pregnant does that if left untreated, will cause does to weaken, resist food and water and eventually die.
Another one is selenium deficiency, which can lead to white muscle disease, with effects similar to that of CAEV, characterized by weak muscles and causes tremors in the hind and front legs.
Selenium is a mineral found in the earth and is usually acquired through feeding of fresh grass, but can also be administered as a mineral infusion by veterinarians called Bo –se shots or vaccines.
So it would be best to take very good case of your goats and ensure good health by getting rid of goat illnesses with proper goat care and knowledge.
Feeding And Goat Care
In the minds of some people, goat care is so easy you simply put hay in front of the animals. They are of the belief that feeding is all the care goats need at all. This, plus what was thought of goats before – that they can eat anything from cans, to cartoons and paper, to fabric and even scraps of plastic.
All these are not true, indeed.
Nutrition
Goat care is not that simple, and this is most evident in their nutritional feeding needs. Goats need year-round provisions of roughage like pasture, browser grass leaves or well-cured hay.
Young animals with inadequate nutrition in their diets are prone to diseases and will not reach their growth potential.
Those that are milking (does), the growing stocks (kids) and those used for breeding (bucks) need their daily rations of legume hay like alfalfa. For goat meat raisers, nutritious feeds for the herd take up the largest chunk of their expenses.
Goats need proteins, vitamins and minerals for energy, just like any other animal. Calorie-giving foods are the most limited while proteins are the most expensive.
Nutritional deficiencies as well as excesses (and other food imbalances) limit the goat’s growth and development and can lead to various health problems. They also need a lot of fiber for digestive well-being and plenty of water.
The nutritional requirements of goats also depend on several factors: present growth rate (kids), maintenance, lactation (for does), activity and the environment (cold or hot weather, etc).
Feeds
Generally, food consumption of goats is equivalent to about 3% of their body weight. The exact amount varies according to the animal’s size.
Pasture and browse food are the most economical source of food (and nutrients) for the animals. Pasture is high in energy and protein content. However, it has high moisture content and the animals have to eat enough to meet their needs.
In cold season, hay is the primary nutrient source food. Legume hays (alfalfa, clover) have higher proteins, vitamins and minerals than grass hays. The nutritional content, however, depends on the maturity of the foliage when it was cut for storage.
Silage (from forage or grain crops) are also fed to goats. Care is needed to check on the quality of silage when feeding the animals. (Molds cause ‘circling disease’ in goats.)
Raisers usually provide additional food supplements to their animals in the form of grain concentrates. This is to provide additional nutrients that forage alone cannot give.
These protein supplements are derived from both animal and plant sources: soybean meals, cottonseed, and fish meal. Proteins are not stored in goats but burned or eliminated by the kidneys.
Some companies now offer feeds in pellet forms, marketing them as “complete” goat food. These are advantageous because goats who are very selective eaters cannot sort the feed ingredients in pellets.
Salt, calcium and phosphorus are the most important minerals needed by goats. They also need vitamins A, D, and E. Some grain rations already incorporate these vitamin-mineral pre-mixes.
Access to clean, fresh water is necessary for the animals. A mature goat drinks almost a gallon and a half every day. Inadequate water intake causes health problems.
Goat care is almost like that of other animals, including pets, even humans. All our nutritional needs are different only in quantities, but everything is the same.
Dairy Goat Care
Goats are one of the most versatile animals domesticated by man. Aside from meat and other products (fur, leather) goats also provide us milk and some milk products comparable to cattle. And all these, with only a modicum of goat care.
Dairy goats
Officially, the American Dairy Goat Association recognizes six breeds of goats that produce milk and milk products. They are Nubians, LaManchas, Alpines, Oberhaslis, Toggenburgs, and Saanens.
The Alpines (any color, medium-large, erect ears, straight face) is one of the two breeds (the other is the Saanens) that is popular with dairy farms because of the amount of milk they produce.
The Saanens (pure white) have large udder capacities and just as popular as Alpines because of the amount of milk they give out.
Nubians have long floppy ears and one of the larger breeds. Their milk is higher in protein and butter fat than the others. They are noisier and more stubborn.
The ears of LaManchas are so small it looks like they don’t have them. They are smaller, and they are calm and gentler than the others.
Oberhaslis are colored bay (chamoise) with a black dorsal strip. They have erect ears and are medium built.
The Toggenburgs are light brown with white erect ears and lower legs. They have shaggy coats and are popular among dairies, although smaller than most breeds.
Goat dairy products
Today, more people in the world are now drinking goat’s milk than cow milk. Nutritionally, they are similar but goat’s milk has smaller fat globules (does not need homogenization), thus easier to digest for some people.
Goat milk is now processed into various ice creams in health food stores. Goat cheese (chèvre, the French word for goat) is used in salads and in cooking because they are higher in protein but lower in fat than that made of cow’s milk.
Goat’s milk soaps are bruited to be creamier and richer than the others, and have added vitamins, minerals and proteins.
Advantages
In a comparison of milk contents of goats, cows and humans, goat’s milk tops the count especially in vitamins and some minerals. It levels with that of cow’s milk in proteins, but is the lowest in cholesterol count.
Goat milk is naturally homogenized. It has less lactose than cow’s milk and is less likely to trigger lactose intolerance in some people.
Goat’s milk is said to be more easily digestible than cow’s milk. This can be attributed to its casein curd which is softer and smaller than cow’s milk.
Milk boosters
As dairy goat raisers, you need to find ways and means to increase the milk production of your herd. The following are some of the ways.
Deworming your goats increases milk production. Illness and diseases (including anemia caused by worms and other parasites) slows down milk production, sometimes even stops it altogether.
Increase rations of high-quality hay. For high-milk production, alfalfa is one of the best because of high calcium content. Increased dry matter forage for the animals improves milk production.
It is also important that goat forage have high levels of fiber to promote increased rumen micro-flora which increases milk production.
Today, more and more goat raisers are into the business not just for the meat products. Goat care and raising them for dairy production also looks promising.
Dairy goats
Officially, the American Dairy Goat Association recognizes six breeds of goats that produce milk and milk products. They are Nubians, LaManchas, Alpines, Oberhaslis, Toggenburgs, and Saanens.
The Alpines (any color, medium-large, erect ears, straight face) is one of the two breeds (the other is the Saanens) that is popular with dairy farms because of the amount of milk they produce.
The Saanens (pure white) have large udder capacities and just as popular as Alpines because of the amount of milk they give out.
Nubians have long floppy ears and one of the larger breeds. Their milk is higher in protein and butter fat than the others. They are noisier and more stubborn.
The ears of LaManchas are so small it looks like they don’t have them. They are smaller, and they are calm and gentler than the others.
Oberhaslis are colored bay (chamoise) with a black dorsal strip. They have erect ears and are medium built.
The Toggenburgs are light brown with white erect ears and lower legs. They have shaggy coats and are popular among dairies, although smaller than most breeds.
Goat dairy products
Today, more people in the world are now drinking goat’s milk than cow milk. Nutritionally, they are similar but goat’s milk has smaller fat globules (does not need homogenization), thus easier to digest for some people.
Goat milk is now processed into various ice creams in health food stores. Goat cheese (chèvre, the French word for goat) is used in salads and in cooking because they are higher in protein but lower in fat than that made of cow’s milk.
Goat’s milk soaps are bruited to be creamier and richer than the others, and have added vitamins, minerals and proteins.
Advantages
In a comparison of milk contents of goats, cows and humans, goat’s milk tops the count especially in vitamins and some minerals. It levels with that of cow’s milk in proteins, but is the lowest in cholesterol count.
Goat milk is naturally homogenized. It has less lactose than cow’s milk and is less likely to trigger lactose intolerance in some people.
Goat’s milk is said to be more easily digestible than cow’s milk. This can be attributed to its casein curd which is softer and smaller than cow’s milk.
Milk boosters
As dairy goat raisers, you need to find ways and means to increase the milk production of your herd. The following are some of the ways.
Deworming your goats increases milk production. Illness and diseases (including anemia caused by worms and other parasites) slows down milk production, sometimes even stops it altogether.
Increase rations of high-quality hay. For high-milk production, alfalfa is one of the best because of high calcium content. Increased dry matter forage for the animals improves milk production.
It is also important that goat forage have high levels of fiber to promote increased rumen micro-flora which increases milk production.
Today, more and more goat raisers are into the business not just for the meat products. Goat care and raising them for dairy production also looks promising.
Caring Goats As Pets
Except for the aggressive bucks (and the occasional doe), goats are naturally good-natured than people would credit them for. Caring for goats as pets sounds fun enough. It also means considerable work in terms of raising them.
The fun part stays. The work of feeding and raising them are all paid for almost daily by their affectionate and occasionally funny nature.
Adopting
The first thing to do when deciding to adopt a goat is to check if livestock is permitted in your community. Many suburban cities and towns do not allow this, even as pets.
Some places require special permits. Do the necessary paper preparations before getting your animal.
Behavior
Goats can be affectionate and can become intelligent pets. Knowing the basic facts about goats – their behavior, requirements in housing and food, where to buy them, etc. – can help a prospective goat owner if the idea of keeping the animal as pet is sound.
Goat enthusiasts should know about the mischievous nature of goat behavior. Particularly worth noting would be their tendency to investigate everything with their mouths. These could include your clothes, your hands, your ornamental plants, and just about everything else they find interesting.
Goats are very gregarious animals. They enjoy the social company of other goats, and even other farm animals. (Of course, dominant bucks may fight among themselves from time to time.)
Goats will test your fences, either intentionally or they just would like to climb or jump onto anything. If your fence can be spread, pushed down, or jumped over – they will escape.
Shelter
Have an escape-proof enclosure erected first before bringing in your goat. This should also be good enough to protect him from outside predators (panthers, coyotes, wolves).
Inside the enclosure would be a shelter to protect your goat from rain, snow and draft. A barn or a large shed would be good for his health.
Ideally, there should be some 20 square feet of shelter per goat, in a 200-square feet area of the secured enclosure.
There should be hay for his bedding, water receptacle, and grass hay (like Timothy or Bermuda) for his food which should be available at all times. In areas where the goat cannot pasture (and also on winter months) goat food (grains) must also be available.
Preparations
Prospective goat owners must be prepared with items like de-wormers and other parasite control products. It is also very important to locate and contact a competent veterinarian (ideally for ruminant animals) for illnesses and injuries.
Livestock vets are needed to educate the new goat owners on such topics as routine care, parasite control, shearing, milking, neutering, hoof trimming, dehorning, etc. There are also annual vaccinations needed for tetanus toxoid and clostridium perfringens type C and D toxoid.
The quality of your prospective pet goat is also very important. They can be purchased from breeders, or adopted from animal shelters, etc. Care should be taken that those that are adopted are disease-free, and relatively healthy.
Depending on the sex, breed, and age, a goat will cost from $100 or up to several hundred more. These are typical for specialty goat varieties. Since they are gregarious and can be lonely, get at least a pair.
Now that you are ready for them as pets, are you ready for the constant goat care?
The fun part stays. The work of feeding and raising them are all paid for almost daily by their affectionate and occasionally funny nature.
Adopting
The first thing to do when deciding to adopt a goat is to check if livestock is permitted in your community. Many suburban cities and towns do not allow this, even as pets.
Some places require special permits. Do the necessary paper preparations before getting your animal.
Behavior
Goats can be affectionate and can become intelligent pets. Knowing the basic facts about goats – their behavior, requirements in housing and food, where to buy them, etc. – can help a prospective goat owner if the idea of keeping the animal as pet is sound.
Goat enthusiasts should know about the mischievous nature of goat behavior. Particularly worth noting would be their tendency to investigate everything with their mouths. These could include your clothes, your hands, your ornamental plants, and just about everything else they find interesting.
Goats are very gregarious animals. They enjoy the social company of other goats, and even other farm animals. (Of course, dominant bucks may fight among themselves from time to time.)
Goats will test your fences, either intentionally or they just would like to climb or jump onto anything. If your fence can be spread, pushed down, or jumped over – they will escape.
Shelter
Have an escape-proof enclosure erected first before bringing in your goat. This should also be good enough to protect him from outside predators (panthers, coyotes, wolves).
Inside the enclosure would be a shelter to protect your goat from rain, snow and draft. A barn or a large shed would be good for his health.
Ideally, there should be some 20 square feet of shelter per goat, in a 200-square feet area of the secured enclosure.
There should be hay for his bedding, water receptacle, and grass hay (like Timothy or Bermuda) for his food which should be available at all times. In areas where the goat cannot pasture (and also on winter months) goat food (grains) must also be available.
Preparations
Prospective goat owners must be prepared with items like de-wormers and other parasite control products. It is also very important to locate and contact a competent veterinarian (ideally for ruminant animals) for illnesses and injuries.
Livestock vets are needed to educate the new goat owners on such topics as routine care, parasite control, shearing, milking, neutering, hoof trimming, dehorning, etc. There are also annual vaccinations needed for tetanus toxoid and clostridium perfringens type C and D toxoid.
The quality of your prospective pet goat is also very important. They can be purchased from breeders, or adopted from animal shelters, etc. Care should be taken that those that are adopted are disease-free, and relatively healthy.
Depending on the sex, breed, and age, a goat will cost from $100 or up to several hundred more. These are typical for specialty goat varieties. Since they are gregarious and can be lonely, get at least a pair.
Now that you are ready for them as pets, are you ready for the constant goat care?
Caring for Goats in Your Own Backyard
People usually cringe at the thought of thinking about caring for goat in your own backyard, but truth be told, it is not that complicated and dangerous, what is important is to know the do’s and don’ts of goat keeping, especially caring for a couple as pets.
There is practically no issue with caring for goats as pets, since it does not pose as much of a sanitary or hygiene hazard for the community, as long as you know how to regularly keep track of how to care for them and knowing the basics of caring for goats.
Unfortunately, many are not aware that there are no less than hundreds of goat species and most, if not all, goats are being domesticated either for their meat, coat or milk and are generally harmless and do not pose any deadly threat to mankind.
The most threat these goats may have with neighbors in communities are the possible nuisance they could cause, especially with the incessant bleating when they feel the need to feed or be nourished, but other than that, goats are timid and calm animals. But generally, goats are harmless.
Here are some basic tips to look into if you may want to practice goat keeping in your own backyard.
Make sure to create a fence around your goat shelter, setting it up to a standard height, enough to prevent your goats from getting out of their shelter or grazing area.
A tall fence will prevent goats from trying to explore the territory outside their shelter, which goats usually do, since goats are social pack animals and to make sure that if you want to care for one as a pet, make sure to have another one which will serve as a companion. Goats usually feel lonely for periods of time, especially if they are isolated from a herd, which could even prevent them from feeding.
A tall fence also stimulates privacy for your goat farm, especially since it will prevent curious persons from looking into the farm, as well as avoid the fear of other people seeing that there is a goat farm just within the community, but just to be on the safe side, it will not hurt to let your neighbors know that you are into goat – keeping.
A tall fence also provides good protection for the goats from strong winds or drafts, which usually scares goats, thus affecting their capacities and abilities to produce.
As grass and foliage are important to goats, so does water, since goats also need to drink water especially during early spring or during the summer to cool them off, as well as aid in the hydration of their bodies..
Having your own water supply for your goat farm will avoid them from getting into other people’s property just to look for water.
It may be a water can, water supply structure or even an artificial streaming pond, as long as there is water supplied for goats, especially within close proximity from where they are sheltered, will prevent them from exerting energy in looking for water.
Lastly, know the basics of goat care. These are the common and simple things you need to know if you pursue caring for goats in your own backyard.
There is practically no issue with caring for goats as pets, since it does not pose as much of a sanitary or hygiene hazard for the community, as long as you know how to regularly keep track of how to care for them and knowing the basics of caring for goats.
Unfortunately, many are not aware that there are no less than hundreds of goat species and most, if not all, goats are being domesticated either for their meat, coat or milk and are generally harmless and do not pose any deadly threat to mankind.
The most threat these goats may have with neighbors in communities are the possible nuisance they could cause, especially with the incessant bleating when they feel the need to feed or be nourished, but other than that, goats are timid and calm animals. But generally, goats are harmless.
Here are some basic tips to look into if you may want to practice goat keeping in your own backyard.
Make sure to create a fence around your goat shelter, setting it up to a standard height, enough to prevent your goats from getting out of their shelter or grazing area.
A tall fence will prevent goats from trying to explore the territory outside their shelter, which goats usually do, since goats are social pack animals and to make sure that if you want to care for one as a pet, make sure to have another one which will serve as a companion. Goats usually feel lonely for periods of time, especially if they are isolated from a herd, which could even prevent them from feeding.
A tall fence also stimulates privacy for your goat farm, especially since it will prevent curious persons from looking into the farm, as well as avoid the fear of other people seeing that there is a goat farm just within the community, but just to be on the safe side, it will not hurt to let your neighbors know that you are into goat – keeping.
A tall fence also provides good protection for the goats from strong winds or drafts, which usually scares goats, thus affecting their capacities and abilities to produce.
As grass and foliage are important to goats, so does water, since goats also need to drink water especially during early spring or during the summer to cool them off, as well as aid in the hydration of their bodies..
Having your own water supply for your goat farm will avoid them from getting into other people’s property just to look for water.
It may be a water can, water supply structure or even an artificial streaming pond, as long as there is water supplied for goats, especially within close proximity from where they are sheltered, will prevent them from exerting energy in looking for water.
Lastly, know the basics of goat care. These are the common and simple things you need to know if you pursue caring for goats in your own backyard.
Caring for Goats also Means Making Sure That They Stay Healthly
While it is true that you can profit from goat –keeping, but caring for goats also means making sure that they are in good health and in the best shape.
Especially for goat herders who either make a living out of keeping goats for producing milk and dairy products, meat, mohair or cashmere, or simply breeding goats for sale, there are things to look out for to know if your goats are in tip top shape or needs medical attention.
Goat herders must be ever vigilant in watching out for signs that will indicate if their goats are in need of medical attention or lack nutrition that they need.
Here are some signs that herders need to look out for.
1. Look for goats that usually fall behind or are well away from the main herd, most especially when goats are being herded together and shows signs of not eating, having an abnormal body posture such as a head hanging down, or even gets separated during herding since these are tell tale signs that something could be wrong. Goats usually separate themselves when they could be suffering from an illness or are pregnant.
2. Always make sure to observe the feces or droppings, if the droppings clump together, scouring (diarrhea) or the droppings are very hard, then something may be wrong. Visit a local veterinarian to see what needs to be done or what needs to be administered.
3. Look at the herd to see if there are goats that lag behind or have problems keeping up with the herd, since these can also show signs of a health problem afflicting the animal. These are usually signs of nutrition deficiency, parasite infestation or contracted a disease.
4. Aside from body signs, you may also need to observe the goats’ feet and legs for signs of swelling may even manifest limping or dragging of the legs and feet.
5. A sudden or inexplicable weight loss in animals, can also be a sign of deteriorating health that affects the goat’s health.
6. Another tip is to also look for signs of swelling underneath the chin, which can be indicative of internal parasites in the stomach or intestines, or an abnormal-sized throat which may be signs of goiter.
7. Another tell tale sign is an abnormal gait that could be limping, staggering or abnormal walking that may indicate tetanus. This could be due to a wound that became infected or has started to contaminate the goat’s blood with the wound infection. This is treatable at an early stage so make sure to have wounds treated with iodine to disinfect the wound with hydrogen peroxide or iodine and prevent it from getting contaminated to avoid infection.
8. A dull or rough coat may indicate underlying disease or deficiencies, which may need immediate attention by a veterinarian
Lastly, look for abnormal discharges especially blood, pus or mucus from the mouth, eyes, ears or vulva, or any other part of the goat’s body, an internal infection can be very dangerous and allows for the rapid deterioration of the goat’s health.
Now you see the importance that caring for goats also means making sure that they are in good health and in the best shape.
Especially for goat herders who either make a living out of keeping goats for producing milk and dairy products, meat, mohair or cashmere, or simply breeding goats for sale, there are things to look out for to know if your goats are in tip top shape or needs medical attention.
Goat herders must be ever vigilant in watching out for signs that will indicate if their goats are in need of medical attention or lack nutrition that they need.
Here are some signs that herders need to look out for.
1. Look for goats that usually fall behind or are well away from the main herd, most especially when goats are being herded together and shows signs of not eating, having an abnormal body posture such as a head hanging down, or even gets separated during herding since these are tell tale signs that something could be wrong. Goats usually separate themselves when they could be suffering from an illness or are pregnant.
2. Always make sure to observe the feces or droppings, if the droppings clump together, scouring (diarrhea) or the droppings are very hard, then something may be wrong. Visit a local veterinarian to see what needs to be done or what needs to be administered.
3. Look at the herd to see if there are goats that lag behind or have problems keeping up with the herd, since these can also show signs of a health problem afflicting the animal. These are usually signs of nutrition deficiency, parasite infestation or contracted a disease.
4. Aside from body signs, you may also need to observe the goats’ feet and legs for signs of swelling may even manifest limping or dragging of the legs and feet.
5. A sudden or inexplicable weight loss in animals, can also be a sign of deteriorating health that affects the goat’s health.
6. Another tip is to also look for signs of swelling underneath the chin, which can be indicative of internal parasites in the stomach or intestines, or an abnormal-sized throat which may be signs of goiter.
7. Another tell tale sign is an abnormal gait that could be limping, staggering or abnormal walking that may indicate tetanus. This could be due to a wound that became infected or has started to contaminate the goat’s blood with the wound infection. This is treatable at an early stage so make sure to have wounds treated with iodine to disinfect the wound with hydrogen peroxide or iodine and prevent it from getting contaminated to avoid infection.
8. A dull or rough coat may indicate underlying disease or deficiencies, which may need immediate attention by a veterinarian
Lastly, look for abnormal discharges especially blood, pus or mucus from the mouth, eyes, ears or vulva, or any other part of the goat’s body, an internal infection can be very dangerous and allows for the rapid deterioration of the goat’s health.
Now you see the importance that caring for goats also means making sure that they are in good health and in the best shape.
Basic Goat Care Ideas That Many May Not be Aware About
Goat keeping or goat farming is not actually rocket science, and there are indeed basic goat care ideas that many may not be aware about.
In fact, basic goat care is actually pretty simple, sometimes trivial, but never too tricky or tedious…all it needs is practical know –how and common sense.
First and foremost, if you happen to supplement grass feeding with mineral or nutrient infused feeds, always read the label and never – ever – feed sheep feed to goats, same goes the other way around.
Sheep and goats are entirely different animal species, with entirely different characteristics, nutritional requirements and environmental needs.
Never feed bucks or wethers with grain products, which in raw form cannot be tolerated by their metabolism, but if you feel and see that the your bucks require supplementation, make sure to consult a veterinarian, who would recommend grain pellet feed specifically for bucks. Although grain products are good for does, it works otherwise for bucks.
Dry oatmeal is also a good choice, but should only be taken in moderation.
Goats, like dogs, love treats with a bit of variation like fallen tree branches, especially aromatic ones, grapes, raisins, bread, soda crackers and their favorite - animal crackers.But make sure not to overdo giving treats since it can be dangerous to their health.
Always make sure to feed fresh and nutritious hay - with or without alfalfa – as needed. Fresh hay or grass is also loaded with natural minerals and nutrients that can help prevent diseases.
Do not forget to provide clean water and fresh water in a clean bucket, which during winter, should also be ice free.
You may also want to have loose minerals or mineral block available at all times and accessible to your goats. Salt can also be made available in a separate feeding dish or as a feeding block.
For does, also make sure to have a well balanced grain product handy at all times. It gives does added nutrients & minerals needed to stay healthy and helps in having healthy offspring.
It is easy to feed your does with grain, so always watch your animal’s condition to determine how much or how little they may need. Same way with supplementing lactating does with more protein, since this is important in their milk for young kids.
Be reminded that hoof trimming is necessary every 4 to 6 weeks, to keep your animal from developing hoof rot or leg and hoof issues.
Have your goats vaccinated annually with tetanus shots, as well as Bo-Se and Copper supplements as needed.
Here’s another funny yet important fact, to make sure that every goat comes running during feed time, otherwise, something may be wrong.
Another tip at watching your goat’s condition is to check their coat. A coarse, dull, or thin coat can give you many clues from stomach or intestine parasites to nutrient deficiency.
Finally, look for signs of legs bowing (back or inward), since this can indicate a nutrient deficiency.
These are but some of the basic goat care ideas that many may not be aware about, but will surely be of good help in caring for your goats and knowing what signs to look out for.
In fact, basic goat care is actually pretty simple, sometimes trivial, but never too tricky or tedious…all it needs is practical know –how and common sense.
First and foremost, if you happen to supplement grass feeding with mineral or nutrient infused feeds, always read the label and never – ever – feed sheep feed to goats, same goes the other way around.
Sheep and goats are entirely different animal species, with entirely different characteristics, nutritional requirements and environmental needs.
Never feed bucks or wethers with grain products, which in raw form cannot be tolerated by their metabolism, but if you feel and see that the your bucks require supplementation, make sure to consult a veterinarian, who would recommend grain pellet feed specifically for bucks. Although grain products are good for does, it works otherwise for bucks.
Dry oatmeal is also a good choice, but should only be taken in moderation.
Goats, like dogs, love treats with a bit of variation like fallen tree branches, especially aromatic ones, grapes, raisins, bread, soda crackers and their favorite - animal crackers.But make sure not to overdo giving treats since it can be dangerous to their health.
Always make sure to feed fresh and nutritious hay - with or without alfalfa – as needed. Fresh hay or grass is also loaded with natural minerals and nutrients that can help prevent diseases.
Do not forget to provide clean water and fresh water in a clean bucket, which during winter, should also be ice free.
You may also want to have loose minerals or mineral block available at all times and accessible to your goats. Salt can also be made available in a separate feeding dish or as a feeding block.
For does, also make sure to have a well balanced grain product handy at all times. It gives does added nutrients & minerals needed to stay healthy and helps in having healthy offspring.
It is easy to feed your does with grain, so always watch your animal’s condition to determine how much or how little they may need. Same way with supplementing lactating does with more protein, since this is important in their milk for young kids.
Be reminded that hoof trimming is necessary every 4 to 6 weeks, to keep your animal from developing hoof rot or leg and hoof issues.
Have your goats vaccinated annually with tetanus shots, as well as Bo-Se and Copper supplements as needed.
Here’s another funny yet important fact, to make sure that every goat comes running during feed time, otherwise, something may be wrong.
Another tip at watching your goat’s condition is to check their coat. A coarse, dull, or thin coat can give you many clues from stomach or intestine parasites to nutrient deficiency.
Finally, look for signs of legs bowing (back or inward), since this can indicate a nutrient deficiency.
These are but some of the basic goat care ideas that many may not be aware about, but will surely be of good help in caring for your goats and knowing what signs to look out for.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
A Short Guide On Goat Care
Today, more and more people are discovering the fun in raising goats. It was not too long ago when goats are among the lowest on the list of pet animals. Now, raising goats are suddenly on the upswing, either as pets or even as a business. Unfortunately, many people do not know a whit about proper goat care.
Thanks to dedicated farmers and other goat lovers, taking care of goats are discovered to be not that difficult.
Short history
Goats are said to be one of the oldest animals domesticated by man. They provide milk, meat, hair and skin. Aside from drinking, goat’s milk can be processed into butter, ice cream and cheese.
The bucks (males) have strong smell and will affect the milk of does (females) if they are not separated. The kids (young goats) are playful and curious and can be trained not to fear people. The wethers are castrated males.
Food
For non-free range goats, feeding is done twice daily. Some raisers mixed their own goat food consisting of crimped oats, dairy goat pellets and some sunflower seeds.
There must be water for them all throughout the day. (Cool fresh water in summer and warm water in winter.)
Goats must also have hay available to them all day. Raisers usually provide a mixture of alfalfa, Timothy and orchard grass. Food and water must be placed on sturdy upraised feeders where the goats cannot soil them.
Since they are browsers, goats are ideally raised free-range where they rummage through all kinds of grass, leaves, and bush plants. Carefully check which plants in the area are toxic to them.
Shelter
Goats hate rain and mud. They need a proper shed to protect them from rain, snow and (cold) wind.
Some owners keep cabinets inside these shelters for goats to sleep off the ground. Goats love warm and dry places. It is important to keep these places always clean and dry to keep off bacteria.
Outside these shelters, there should be some place for your non-free range goats to roam and frolic. A small rock pile and some other objects for them to play-jump with would be ideal.
Health
Kids (young goats) should be properly immunized, usually with Bar-Vac CDT (clostridium perfringens types C & D tetanus toxoid). At one year old (and every year thereafter), they should get a booster Bar-Vac CDT injection.
They need to be de-wormed at least four times a year. De-wormers also kills external parasites (lice, ticks, fleas, etc).
Don’t overfeed your goats because they will accumulate gas. (Baking soda usually relieves this.) Baking soda helps goats in their digestion and keeping in check their urine acidity. Goats know when they need to eat baking soda and how much they need.
A healthy goat has bright eyes, smooth and shiny coat, with a good appetite, and alert. Teary or cloudy eyes might mean infection.
A dull coat might mean they have parasites. Hunched backs and droopy tails indicate something is wrong, especially if they refuse to eat.
Other tips
Never raise a single goat. Goats are herd animals. Keep as many as you can. They have different personalities, are affectionate, and hang around people to get a good scratch. Goat care is not a chore.
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