COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT GOAT MANAGEMENT By: Brian L. Beer, Assistant Agricultural Extension Agent February 3rd, 1998 Original Document About the Author Please Help Rate This Article 5 = Extremely Useful 4 = Very Useful 3 = Somewhat Useful 2 = Okay but not enough 1 = Not At All Useful Rated 4.5 by 4 responses.

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While goats have become a universal animal, that is, they can be found in nearly every location on the globe, it is only within the last few hundred years that they have been regarded with more worth. Within just the past 25 years, more studies and research involving goats have been conducted than ever before. There are still some common misconceptions about the goat that should be addressed and understood by admirers and producers alike. Much of the perception about goats in the eyes of the general public does not necessarily begin with the goat, but rather with the owner and keeper of the goat itself. It is nearly commonplace to see a goat here and there in a television documentary or movie. And in most cases, the setting where the goat is seen indicates a poverty stricken area or household. While indeed there are many locations and households that would meet such description, there is of course, another side to this story. First of all, in certain countries such as those in South America, the number of goats owned by any given household is often a measure of that households wealth. And while that household may not be perceived as a Beverly Hills mansion, these goat owners usually have in common the simple ideology of a clean goat farm. Of the many goat farms I've seen, more than half do not do justice to the poor goat, often subjecting it to living conditions better suited for raising sewer rats. One of the reasons that this persists is possibly due to the common misperception that goats can eat about anything and live in any type of condition. Fortunately in the United States, there are laws that help to deter this type of treatment and exist to remove animals from those conditions which impede their well-being. While this of course is very important, it does not help improve the overall public perception of the goat. Many of the goats removed from said conditions are often sent to slaughter or to homes where the new owners do not know much more about, or have the means to properly care for the animals. There are many goat breeders that often fit into a category of marginal care providers for their goats; you arrive at a farm that is in complete disarray, goats running free, etc. Sometimes these farms are considered very productive but You can run one to three goats for each cow. Again, this number depends on the quality and quantity of forage and browse available. Seven or eight goats will eat about as much as one cow. 5. What type of fence will keep a goat in the pasture? Woven wire fences do a good job of containing goats. Goats with horns can get their heads caught in this type of fence, so dehorn them. High tensile electric fencing (5 strands) will also works well and is less expensive to build and maintain. 6. What type of housing do I need for goats? Housing needs will depend on the production system you choose. For meat, fiber or brush control goats, some type of structure to protect the goats from cold, wind, rain and wet ground is recommended. This can range from a natural wind break or rock outcropping, to a traditional barn. For a dairy, you will need a building to use as a milking parlor and a place to keep the baby goats (kids) away from their mothers and out of the elements. 7. How many kids do goats have? Goats can have from one to five kids. Twins are the most common birth rate. Four or five is very rare. 8. How long is pregnancy (gestation) in goats? Gestation lasts five months in goats. The range is 146-155 days. 9. When do I breed young does? It is best to breed a young doe when she is one year old. Breeding her earlier will stunt her growth and could lead to birthing difficulties. A good rule is to breed does when they reach 60-75% of their mature weight. 10. When do I wean kids? Wean kids when they are three months old. This will allow the doe to gain weight before her next kidding. You do not want a doe to be in poor condition when her next kids are born because her milk production will be reduced and there is a possibility of kids being born weak. 11. When is the best time to castrate and dehorn kids? The best time for these procedures is when the kids are 7 to 10 days old. Performing these procedures at this age will be less stressful on the kids. Dehorning is best accomplished with an electric dehorning iron. Castration can be done surgically or by banding. 12. What diseases should I worry about in adult goats? Tetanus, Enterotoxemia (overeating disease), Soremouth, Caprine Arthritis, Salmonellosis, Jone's Disease and Pasteurella Pneumonia are a few diseases that goats can contract. Vaccinations are a cheap way to give goats protection from some diseases. The two most common diseases goats are vaccinated for are Enterotoxemia and Tetanus. 13. What diseases are problems in young kids? One of the most important things with young kids is to be sure that it nurses the doe in the first 12 hours after birth. Babies need the "first milk" (colostrum) from their mother in order to get antibodies that will help the kid fight off diseases. After 12 hours, the kid begins to lose the ability to absorb the antibodies. It is also good to dip the navel in a weak betadine or iodine solution to protect the kid from bacteria that can cause infection or death. Diarrhea is a common problem in kids. You need to be able to identify the cause of the diarrhea in order to administer the proper treatment. If the diarrhea is green, the kid has probably eaten a poisonous plant. If the diarrhea is brown or yellow, the kid has scours. If the diarrhea is black, the kid probably has coccidiosis. 14. Are some plants poisonous to goats? There are many plants that are poisonous to goats. Rhododendron, Wild Cherry, Nightshade, Velvet Grass, Yew, Azalea and Laurels are a few of the most common species of poisonous plants. For a complete list of poisonous plants contact your local County Extension Center. 15. How do I control parasites? Internal parasites are a problem in goats. Failure to deworm goats will result in breeding problems, poor milk production, weak kids, poor performance, and death loss. Unfortunately, there are very few products labeled for use in goats. A veterinarian can give you permission to use products that are approved for other livestock. Read the label to make sure that the product you use will control the parasites that infect goats. 16. How often should I trim my goat's hooves? Some breeds, as well as individuals within a breed, have faster growing hooves than others. The terrain and environment can influence the amount of wear on the hoof. Most goat owners trim feet four or more times per year. If hooves are not trimmed foot rot and lameness may occur.

About the author: This list continues to grow as new questions come my way. If you have a question that I might be able to help answer, feel free to contact me via e-mail at Brian_Beer@ces.ncsu.edu.

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