The Essentials of Managing a Goat Farm
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Transcript The Essentials of Managing a Goat Farm
The Essentials of
Managing a Goat Farm
Holly-Nicole Craghead
Introduction…. To Goats
Goat Facts
Picky eaters, they nibble
Clean animals
The billys stink
Many domesticated goat breeds
They don’t eat beer bottles
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
Mischievous…
Curious…
Inquisitive…
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
Housing…
Ideal Goat Housing Should Be:
Dry
Draft-Free
Well Ventilated
Health…
Hearty
Diseases include:
Pneumonia
Parasites
Lungworms
Liver fluke
Lice
Vaccine schedule
Impt!
Feed…
ALWAYS have plenty of fresh
water
Feed goats:
Do NOT feed
Weeds, grasses, hay, barley,
bran, corn, alfalfa, clover,
sugar beets
Treats: cabbage, carrots,
turnips, beets
Milo – causes urinary calculi
Only alfalfa – causes bloat
Changes in feed should be
done gradually
Breeding…
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
“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
Products…
Milk –yogurt, cheese, soap
Meat–chevon (cabrito)
Fiber–wool, mohair
Thank You
“That’s The End.”