Raising goats? Everything you need to know.

As with any animal, there are countless amounts of information to learn about goats. But what a delightful creature! Hardy and full of spunk, they provide companionship, milk products, and cute kids! Enjoy our Goat IQ: Raising Goats page!

In my years of goat ownership, I’ve realized one thing: I love my goats. I LOVE raising goats!

And the more I learn, the more I realize that there is always more to learn.

Raising Goats for Beginners. Start here:

With that said, never let anyone shame you for not knowing all there is to know about raising goats. We all start somewhere. There is a lot to learn from reading AND from experience. And the combination of both will continue to make you a great goat owner.

The posts below will encourage you to learn all there is to know about how to prepare for goats, goat health, and caring for your goats through the ups and downs of all the issues that may arise.

6 Reasons Your Farm Needs A Goat

What I wish I had known before owning goats

BEFORE Bringing Home Your First Goat

General Goat Information and Health at a Glance:

• Temperature: 101.5 – 103.5

• Pulse: 70-80 beats per minute

• Respiratory: 15-30 per minute

• Rumen movements (Stomach): 1-1.5 per minute

• Puberty: 7 weeks to 8 months. At weaning (2 months), separate the bucks from does

• Full Growth Size: Goats will continue to grow into their 3rd year

• Estrus/Heat Cycle: 17-23 days

• Gestation: 143-155 days

• Life Span:

• DOES: 11-12 years on average, death is usually kidding related. Does who retire from breeding, around the age of ten, live longer (16-18 years).

• BUCKS: 8-10 years, the stresses of going into rut each year cause their lifespan to be shorter.

• WETHERS: 11-16 years on average.

Print off the information and hang in the goat barn!

Necessary for Raising Goats:

Goats are sensitive to the elements and will need a good shelter to get out of the wind, rain, hail, and snow. The shelters linked below are so easy to make, they are economical and have done such a great job of protecting our goats.

Fencing is one of the most important parts of goat ownership. Goats have a knack. A crazy knack for being able to get out and being exactly where they are not wanted. Do your thorough research on which fence will work best for your property and goats.

Below is linked the pallet fence we use. But even with that four-foot fence, my Mini-Nubian buck scaled over that fence like he was a Thoroughbred at the races. And he still had all of his necessary parts intact after reaching the other side, thankfully! And well, he kind of was in a race. A pro-creation race. A doe in heat was being serenaded by another buck. And that was not to his liking.

That is all to say, never underestimate a goat’s will and desire to get OUT!

Pallet Fence: Great for small livestock

Fencing for Goats and Small Livestock

Pallet Goat Shelter

Double Sized Pallet Goat Shelter

Goat Feeder Using Pallet Boards

Goat Mineral Feeder

Follow on Pinterest for more shelters, fencing, feeding and health care ideas for goats: Follow on Pinterest.

This is an ultra-useful tool for any goat owner: The Busy Homesteader’s Goat Management Binder

General Goat Care Information:

It helps to be prepared with as much information as possible. We only own a few acres on the edge of a smaller town, so the quest to answer the question, “How to raise goats in my backyard?” is high on the list. And from my experience, goats start out as pets and then they are being raised for profit…because, well…it’s easy to end up with too many goats and then your spouse insists that they need to start paying their own way…

Am I the only one…?

Your Complete Goat Mineral Guide

Basic Goat Health Information

Goat Feed: Hay Cost Calculator for GOATS

Weight Calculator for Goats

CD&T Vaccination for Goats: What is it?

Milking Goat Needs and Raw Milk Information:

Raising goats is a really good investment if you are interested in a healthy source of milk products and potential income, which could at least pay for the cost of your goats for a year.

We offer an exclusive email series on being profitable on your property, which includes ideas for utilizing the different avenues of income from goats. Your next step would be to sign up here: 90 Ideas to Profit

And did I mention the love of goats? They will give you a beautiful relationship that will benefit your whole family! You will be invested in more ways than one.

Benefits of Raw Milk That YOU Need!

Astounding Benefits of Goat Milk!

How to Build a Pallet Milking Stand

Homemade Milk Filters Using a Bed Skirt

Simple Strip Cup for Milking

How to Milk a Goat

Goat Care Pre and Post Pregnancy:

Even your most special wether needs proper nutrition to remain healthy. And sometimes issues can still arise with the best and most proper care available. And when the issues arise it can be very scary.

Years ago, I didn’t know about goat polio, but now I’ve had first-hand experience and have learned an incredible amount about the condition. I researched all I could and now combine that with my experience, which makes a complete picture. That’s how life works, even for you! You will read and learn and then experience. All of that will grow you into a better goat owner.

It can be easy to bring home a goat and feel like all will be well, always. I was there once. I had owned a few wethers for a handful of years and had never had any problems.

But when pregnant and lactating animals are present, there is a whole new set of things to think about and deal with. Ketosis really does happen. Goats are actually quite picky and do require a high nutritional diet. Pregnancy complications are a part of the deal. And sometimes kids are born with unknown issues. It can be heartbreaking and sometimes almost too much to bear.

Easy Goat Due Date Calculator & Goat Care During Pregnancy

What is pregnancy toxemia in goats?

Kidding Kit: A Complete List of What You Will Need for Kidding

Ketosis in Goats: What is It and How to Prevent It?

What is hypocalcemia in goats?

And with all that said, I hope you are one step further in your goat ownership journey. It’s a fun journey, isn’t it?