The Essentials of Managing a Goat Farm

1. The Essentials ofManaging a Goat Farm • Holly-Nicole Craghead

2. Introduction…. To Goats

3. Goat Facts • Picky eaters, they nibble • They don’t eat beer bottles • Clean animals • The billys stink • Many domesticated goat breeds • At least 60 • Herd animals • Versatile • Live in diverse climates • desert, mountain, tropical, plains • Average life is 10 – 12 years, but they can live up to 30

4. Mischievous…

5. Curious…

6. Inquisitive…

7. History… • Greek Mythology • Pan: Greek goat god of shepherds and flocks • Lustful • Protector • Pan pipe • Bible • Jesus said, “as a good shepherd would divide his sheep from his goats” • Goats got the shaft • Goats are then seen as outcasts

8. Housing… Ideal Goat Housing Should Be: Dry Draft-Free Well Ventilated

9. Health… • Hearty • Diseases include: • Pneumonia • Parasites • Lungworms • Liver fluke • Lice • Vaccine schedule Impt!

10. Feed… • ALWAYS have plenty of fresh water • Feed goats: • Weeds, grasses, hay, barley, bran, corn, alfalfa, clover, sugar beets • Treats: cabbage, carrots, turnips, beets • Do NOT feed • Milo – causes urinary calculi • Only alfalfa – causes bloat • Changes in feed should be done gradually

11. Breeding… • Puberty @ ½ year old • Estrus is a 21 day cycle, lasting 1–2 days • Gestation 145 days • Seasonal breeders • Influenced by the length of daylight • Breed August through February

12. “Kidding” • Baby goats are called “kids” • Goats rarely need help kidding • Birthing Kit • What to expect • What to do and when • Supplies needed for birth • Management of the nanny and kid post birth • Each kid weighs between 1 and 5 Kg. • Offspring • single, twins (most common), triplets, quads

13. Products… • Milk –yogurt, cheese, soap • Meat–chevon (cabrito) • Fiber–wool, mohair

14. Thank You “That’s The End.”