Goats Are Important Domestic Animals in Many Parts of the World. They Provide Substance in the Form of Food and Cloth- Ing
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Goats are important domestic animals in many parts of the world. They provide substance in the form of food and cloth- ing. The rising demand for goat meat, milk, and cheese offers commercial goat production opportunities. Goats are also wonderful to raise for pure enjoyment or hobby. The type of goat selected depends on desired purpose—hobby, show, or commercial production. This booklet will introduce you to basic goat care knowledge. ADM Animal Nutrition™ A division of Archer Daniels Midland Company www.ADMAnimalNutrition.com 800-217-2007 S9761H-0721 the goatguide oats, important domestic Ganimals in many parts of the world, have served mankind for ages. They provide substance in the form of food and clothing. These hardy ruminants can exist in harsh environments in which other livestock species would perish. Goats grow and reproduce under extreme conditions from rugged mountain areas where winters are bitter cold to desert regions where it is hot and dry, and water and forage are sparse. Photo: Courtesy of hillshepherd.com goats3 Opportunities with Goats Goat meat is the preferred food for growing ethnic groups in North America. Since the demand for goat meat has outpaced domestic production, a substantial portion of the goat meat consumed in the US is imported. Goat milk is favored by health enthusiasts as well as some cheese makers. The rising demand for goat meat, milk, and cheese offers commercial goat production opportunities. Goats are adaptable and easy to raise. Adequate space with pasture or browse is pre- ferred. Sophisticated facilities are not a necessity. Goat Selection The type of goat selected depends on desired purpose – hobby, show, or commercial produc- tion of meat, milk, or mohair/cashmere. The choice will influence feeding and management decisions. Table 1 (on pages 6-9) lists goat breeds common in the U.S. Regardless of purpose, basic selection criteria for any goat purchase should include good health (bright, clear eyes, alert, cud chewing, no nasal secretions, normal feces, etc.) and sound conformation (no deformities, good leg and hoof structure, etc.). Goats should be structur- ally correct and well muscled with style and bal- ance, and they should possess the desired genetic ability for meat or milk production. For those who desire to purchase goats for show, consult with knowledgeable individuals for assistance in selec- tion based on breed preferences and desirable physical characteristics. Good genetics are impor- tant for show and commercial production ani- mals. Keep in mind, size is not a reliable, primary indicator of a “good” goat. goats4 General Management GENERAL MANAGEMENT Behavior Goats are natural climbers and jumpers. These intelligent animals are quick to learn and like attention. Since goats can also acquire annoy- ing habits, one should be careful how goats are handled, especially kids. For example, lifting a kid over a gate will teach the kid to jump or climb over the gate. Playful pushing on a kid’s head will encourage it to push back or butt. Facilities Escape-proof fences are needed due to the goat’s climbing capabilities. As with all livestock, goats should be provided with dry, clean bedding in a draft-free enclosure (15 sq. ft/goat). Barns/sheds should be well ventilated. When goats are slick shorn for shows, additional mea- sures, such as heat lamps, may be needed to keep goats warm during cold weather. A well-drained outside pen large enough for the goat to get ample exercise should be provided. Since goats are skill- ful climbers, placement of large objects, such as rocks, wooden spools, or tree stumps, in the pen/ pasture provides goats with climbing exercise and recreation. (continued on page 8) goats5 Table 1 Common Goat Breeds in the US Breeds Body Structure DAIRY Saanen Medium-large, rugged bone (origin structure Doe: 30" height, 110-198 lb) Switzerland) Buck: 176-264 lb Photo: Goat Farmer Magazine Photo: Goat Farmer Toggenburg Small-medium, sturdy (origin Doe: 25" height, 120 lb Switzerland) Buck: 160 lb Photo: Taylor Ridge Dairy Goats Taylor Photo: Nubian Medium-large, graceful (origins Africa, Doe: 30" height, 130 lb; Buck: 175 lb India, and parts of the Middle East) Photo: K-Lou Ranch Alpine Medium-large (French, British, Doe: 30" height, Rock, and Swiss 130-198 lb Alpine goats; Buck: 176-220 lb French is most popular in US) Photo: Michael Pazzani Photo: Michael La Mancha Small-medium (Developed in Doe: 28" height, the US from 130 lb Swiss breeds Buck: 160 lb and short-eared Spanish breeds) Photo: K-Lou Ranch Oberhasli Medium (origin Doe: 28" height Switzerland) 120 lb Buck: 30" height 150 lb Photo: Michael Pazzani Photo: Michael Nigerian Very small Doe: 17-19" Photo: www.ndga.org Dwarf Buck: 19-21" (origin West Wt.: 75 lb Africa) goats6 Goat Breeds Color Hair Ears Face White or light Short and fine. A Medium size, Straight cream fringe over spine erect, prefera- or and thighs may bly pointing dished be present. forward Light fawn to dark Short, Medium size, Straight chocolate with white ears and shaggier coat erect, carried or lower legs, two compared to forward dished white stripes on other breeds face, sides of tail are white Any color or Short, glossy Long, drooping, Distinctive bell-shaped, convex pattern facial extend 1/2" profile beyond mussel (Roman nose) Any color Medium to Erect Straight except solid short or white or light dished brown with white markings Any color or Short, glossy Very short or Straight combination of absent external ear flap. Gopher colors ear variety has 1" ear flap. Elf ear variety had 2" ear flap Chamois (bay- Short Erect Straight colored) with a black dorsal strip, udder, belly, and black below the knees. The head should be nearly black with two black stripes down the face to a black muzzle Any color or com- Soft, short to Erect Straight bination of colors medium hair goats7 Table 1 Common Goat Breeds in the US Breeds Body Structure MEAT Boer Large, thick (origin Doe: 200-225 lb Goat Farmer Magazine Goat Farmer South Africa) Buck: up to 300 lb Preferred market goat weight: 70-90 lb Shady Acres Goat Farm Shady Kiko Well-muscled, (origin large frame New Zealand) Spanish Compact, varies Goat Farmer Magazine Goat Farmer (not specific breed) Savanna Medium size (origin South Africa) southeasternsavannaranch.com MOHAIR Angora Small (origin Turkey) Doe: 70-110 lb Buck: 180-225 lb hillshepherd.com HOBBY Pygmy Very small, compact (origin Africa) 16-23” height, 40-70 lb Tyny Goat Ranch (tyny.com) Goat Ranch Tyny (continued from page 5) As well as being adept climbers, goats are also known for their jumping ability. Fences should be at least 42 inches in height and preda- tor-proof. When using woven (net) wire fence, use a 12-inch wide by 6-inch mesh to prevent goats from getting their heads caught in the fence . Five- foot tall galvanized wire panels with four-inch squares make excellent fencing. goats8 Goat Breeds Color Hair Ears Face White body Short Long, Gently with dark cherry red neck pedulous curved and head with (convex) blaze face is most widely recognized and preferred Predominate Short, slick Set high; Moderate coat color is coat in moderate forehead; summer; may white grow longer length well propor- in winter tioned nose Varies Varies Varies Varies White coat; Soft, kempy Fairly big, oval Fairly long and black skin, hair shape; hang broad, slightly horns, and next to head curved head hooves White Long (ringlet Long, Thin, straight or flat and drooping or slightly wavy) dished Caramel, Varies Medium, Slightly Agouti, and erect dished black patterns Also needed for dairy goats is a separate milk- ing area with stanchion on elevated platform, which makes it easier to milk does. Feeders When self-feeding goats, place feeders at least six inches off the ground. The use of movable troughs that can be hung on a fence works well when hand-feeding. Hang troughs at the height of goats9 the top of the goat’s shoulder. Feed troughs should be cleaned regularly. To help reduce disease trans- mission, raise hay and mineral feeders off the ground. Place feed troughs so that goats cannot stand in them. Otherwise they may defecate or urinate in the trough. Water Fresh water is essential and is an often over- looked nutrient. Remember to check water avail- ability on a daily basis and to regularly drain and clean water troughs. To keep water cool during warm weather, locate water source in the shade. Goats may drink a large amount of water during hot weather. It is very important to encourage water intake to help prevent formation of urinary calculi. Reproduction An excellent health program and nutrition program are essential to promote the birth of one to three live, healthy kids per doe on a yearly basis. Goats are polyestrous (seasonal anestrus) breeders. Gestation is five months. Puberty occurs at 6-8 months of age with breeding at 7-10 months of age or when doelings reach 60-75% of mature body weight. The breeding season typically runs from August through January, with an 18-23 day estrus cycle. Does usually remain in heat for one to two days. Signs of heat are usually easily detected and include uneasiness, riding other animals, standing for riding, an unusual amount of tail flicking, fre- quent urination, an abnormal amount of bleating, reddish and perhaps swollen vulva, and moisture under the tail. Conception is highest from the middle to the latter part of the heat period. Consequently, if signs of heat are first noticed in the afternoon, goats should be bred late the fol- lowing morning.