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Raising Goats Resources (Add to Your Goat IQ!)

Raising goats? Everything you need to know.raising goats

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

raising goats

 

 General Goat Information and Health at a Glance:

• Temperature: 101.5 – 103.5

• Pulse: 70-80 beats per minute

• Respiratory: 15-30 per minute

• Rumenmovements (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!

Raising goats


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: 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?

raising goats

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

raising goats

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? 

Pregnancy Toxemia in Goats | How to care for a pregnant goat | Goat care | What is pregnancy toxemia? A pregnancy condition that can be avoided when a goat is given what it needs to be healthy.

The [#1 Thing] to Know to Prevent Pregnancy Toxemia in Goats

You may have clicked on this information not knowing what pregnancy toxemia is and are wondering if it's something you ...
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Goat House | How to build a goat house using pallets. An easy and cost effective way to use easy to find material to make great winter shelters for your goats.

DIY, Easy, Free Goat House

Below you will find an easy and brilliant way to build a goat house using pallets! It's a cost-effective way ...
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The CDT vaccine for goats: should you give it? Learn what it means, what it's for and what can happen if you don't give it each year.

CDT Vaccine for Goats: Necessary or Not?

Throughout my 11 years of owning goat I've had years where I've given the CDT vaccine for goats and years ...
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Fencing for Goats: One of the four options may just be the perfect solution for you and your goats! Check out your options!

Fencing for Goats and Small Livestock: 5 Great Options!

Fencing for Goats: One of the four options may just be the perfect solution for you and your goats! Check ...
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Goat Gestation Calculator. You need to know the best goat care during pregnancy. Pregnant does have many needs to support optimal health. FREE goat due date calculator.

Goat Gestation Calculator + Scary Pregnancy Problems to Watch For

Are you ready to learn about the best care your goat needs during pregnancy? Pregnant does have a lot of ...
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Goat labor signs that you need to know

11 Goat Labor Signs You NEED to Know

If you are raising goats, then you need to be prepared with a kidding kit, when that time of year ...
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A simple and effective pallet goat shelter that is large enough to hold more than two or three goats. It will keep off the rain, snow and cold!

Free Goat Shelter Plans [For 3-6 Goats!]

A simple and effective pallet goat shelter that is large enough to hold more than two or three goats. It ...
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Goat Care and goat feed. How much hay does a goat eat? Use this FREE Hay Cost Calculator to help you answer the question: how much hay do I need for my goat? This will help you make a plan and know how much hay to buy a year.

Hay Cost Calculator for Goats: How Much Hay Do I Need?

We are going to talk about goat feed right now. Specifically, how much hay a year you'll need for your ...
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Before bringing home your first goat: before your goats get settled, you can compile this list (and more) to keep your goats happy and healthy!

What You Need BEFORE Bringing Home Your First Goat

Almost 11 years ago, my husband brought home my first goat. The cutest little black pigmy goat I'd ever seen ...
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Pallet Fence | 6 reasons that I think a pallet fence makes the best fence for small livestock! Pictures and instructions included on how the pallet fence was built.

Pallet Fence: Great for small livestock

I'm excited to talk to you about the 6 reasons that a pallet fence makes the best fence for small ...
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Before owning Goats | 6 things I wish I had known before owning goats. Don't you agree with #5?? But does it stop us from owning them?? Nope! Once a goat lover, always one

What I Wish I Had Known Before Owning Goats

Are you ready to bring home some goats? Or maybe you are reminiscing about the years you've owned them. What ...
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Your Complete Goat Mineral Guide

Goat minerals are the most important aspect of your raising goats management program, even if you have only a few ...
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Goat's milk chocolate pudding

Easy Homemade Goat’s Milk Chocolate Pudding! 😋

"What are you going to do with all this milk?? It's taken over the fridge!" That was a handful of ...
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What do goats eat?

What Do Goats Eat? Your Goat Nutrition Guide!

If you own goats, then you've probably asked the question, "What DO goats eat?" You are in the right place ...
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A farm needs a goat. 5 reasons YOU need a goat. So, what are you waiting for?? Do you research, prepare your pens, find your goat and bring her home!

13 Reasons YOU Need A Goat

A farm needs a goat. Period. In fact, there are 13 reasons YOU need a goat, regardless of if you ...
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Learn how to trim goat hooves

How to Trim Goat Hooves

"How do you trim goat hooves?" I looked over at my husband who is a farrier. He trims horse hooves ...
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Care of goats in winter and how you can help them

Goats in Winter: Care even in Negative Temperatures!

Do you wonder about your goats in winter? Well, in Montana, we go through some terribly cold and snowy spells ...
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Kidding kit Kidding kit for a goat birth. You need a well thought out kidding kit to make sure that you are prepared for anything. Usually goats can manage well on their own but when an issue arises, you will be glad you are prepared. A Life of Heritage

Kidding Kit: A Complete List for Goat Birth

You need a well thought out kidding kit for your goat's birth to make sure that you are prepared for ...
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Ketosis in goats | Goat care | Goat care after kidding | Ketosis in goats: how to prevent this condition, the symptoms and the treatment. It is preventable and you can help your goat avoid it.

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

Let's talk below about Ketosis in goats and how to prevent this condition, the symptoms, and the treatment. It is ...
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Hypocalcemia in goats is very serious. It can be prevented and a goat owner should do everything in their power to give their goat everything needed to avoid it.

What is Hypocalcemia in Goats?

Hypocalcemia in goats is very serious. It can be prevented. A goat owner should do everything in their power to ...
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Goat pneumonia and what you need to know to save your goat. Free treatment plan

Goat Pneumonia: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment Plan

This is what having the correct goat information and knowledge can do for your goats. This could be you. This ...
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How do I know my goat's weight? | Have you ever ask the question: How to weigh my goat? Here are four ways to weigh your goat and a FREE weight calculator will help you!

Goat Weight: 4 EASY Ways to Weigh

Have you ever ask the question: I need to find out my Goat's Weight...but wow do I weigh my goat?? ...
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Having a goat feeder that wastes as little hay as possible is so important! Read more on How to Build a Goat Feeder Using Pallets

Goat Feeder Using Pallet Boards

Having a goat feeder that wastes as little hay as possible is so important! Read more on How to build ...
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FREE Basic Goat Health Information, Upkeep and Health Tracker Printable. Keep track of your goats information on a regular basis.

Basic Goat Health Information

FREE Basic Goat Health Information, Upkeep, and Health Tracker Printable. Keep track of your goat's information on a regular basis ...
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A tattoo on a goat is a way to identify the goat

How to Tattoo a Goat (Step-by-Step with Pictures & Video)

I recently sent an email to the Miniature Dairy Goat Association and basically said, "I'm probably going to be fired ...
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The best goat pen plan with goats sticking their head through a fence

Goat Pen: The Pen Setup You Need for Your Goats

A goat pen is a pretty important part of owning goats. Goats are wonderful stinkers. They will jump up on ...
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Get your spring goat checklist ready

Spring Goat Checklist: Get Your Goats in Tip-Top Shape for the Year

Spring is my most favorite time of year. The winters in Montana have usually been long and by spring, winter ...
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coughing goats: what you need to know!

Goat Coughing: Normal or Sick? What You Need to Know!

Your goat coughs. Is it a good cough or a bad cough? A normal cough or a begin-to-be-worried-cough? Goat coughing ...
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Goat Lice: Effective Natural and Chemical Treatments

Hey guys! Welcome back, my lovely goat loving friends. My name is Delci. It’s nice to meet you! If you ...
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How long does a goat live? Find out here!

How Long Do Goats Live? Your Guide to a Goat’s Lifespan

My husband glared at my two wethers as he stumbled over them trying to work. "And how long do goats ...
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does goat cheese have lactose and is it dairy?

Is Goat Cheese Dairy? | Does Goat Cheese Have Lactose?

I received an email recently with a plea for goat milk. "My little girl needs milk but she just can't ...
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Goat’s Milk for Dogs | What REALLY are the health benefits?

It's no secret I love goat's milk. It has amazing benefits, truly. Read more about it here: Astounding Benefits of ...
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How to convince your parents to get goats. Learn what you need to say and what to research

How to convince your parents to get goats

I have a feeling that you’ve got a brilliant idea. One that is better than all the rest. But now ...
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How much does a goat cost and how much does a baby goat cost?

How Much Does a Goat Cost? And How Much Does a Baby Goat Cost?

Are you ready to bring home a goat but are asking the question, "How much does a goat cost?" Let's ...
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These are excellent tips for goat breeding and pregnancy

Top Goat Breeding and Pregnancy Tips That Will Help You Immensely!

These goat breeding and pregnancy tips are so important to know about. You can be confident this kidding season when ...
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Prepare for milking goats in these 7 ways

7 Ways to Prepare for MILKING GOATS!!

You lovingly and excitedly brought home your first goats, they gave you some pretty cute kids but now...now you need ...
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Goats get sick and these are the goat sicknesses that they can get

5 Goat Sicknesses and Diseases You NEED to Know About

Are you worried about all of the goat sicknesses and diseases that your goats can get? Goats can get sick ...
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CL in goats and how to treat and prevent abscesses in your goats

CL in Goats | Treatment Plan | All the Facts: Caseous Lymphadenitis

Does your goat have a large abscess that's draining puss and you don't know what to do about it? Should ...
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a girl holding milk with her arm around a goat

Raw Milk Safety: Is goat milk safe for babies and kids?

Have you been doing research on the awesome benefits of raw milk and now are wondering if it's safe to ...
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Find out if copper boluses are safe for pregnant goats

Are copper boluses safe for pregnant goats?

Are copper boluses safe for pregnant goats? That just may be the question dancing around in your head right now ...
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Goat Bloat: The Airtight Truth

Goat bloat is a serious condition. Do you know what causes it, what it looks like, and how to treat ...
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These tips will help you train your first freshener to milk

Training New Goats to Milk

The milking pail clattered noisily as it sprang from side to side several times. In the glint of the stainless ...
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It can be easy to give copper boluses to goats if you know how!

Copper Bolus for Goats: Your Complete Copper Guide!

Copper is one of the most important minerals your goats need. This post helps round out the information on my ...
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The 10 signs of your goat's heat cycle

Goat Heat Cycle: Is My Goat in Heat?

Your goats will go into heat every year and it is helpful to know the signs of heat so you ...
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Goat Resource Page

FENCING FEEDING MILKING SUPPLIES GENERAL SUPPLIES KIDDING SUPPLIES ...
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Goat drinking water with the words "how your water source is affecting your goat's health"

Your Water Source is Affecting Your Goat Herd’s Health

Your goats probably rely on you to provide them good quality water. But is it actually doing them more harm ...
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Raising Goats for Profit can be made easy when you have these 5 tips to help you. Free Course with video, PDF's and information.

FREE Course: 5 Tips to Raising Goats for Profit

In a world where everyone is selling something, everyone is good at it, and everyone needs to pay the bills, ...
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Awesome Tools, Resources and Recommendations for Your Homestead

Chicken Tools and Resources Clear Egg Cartons Heated Base Poultry and Chicken Water Heater Moth Balls for Cleaning Chicken Feathers ...
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The Importance of an Emergency Plan to Save Your Animals

The Importance of an Emergency Plan to Save Your Animals

Inside: An emergency health plan for animals is by far one of the most important things to do for your ...
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A goat mineral feeder that is easy to make and won't waste any expensive minerals. ✓ Inexpensive! ✓ Easy to assemble! ✓ Durable! ✓ Easy to check and fill.

Easy DIY Goat Mineral Feeder

Inside: A goat mineral feeder that is easy to make and won't waste any expensive minerals. ✓ Inexpensive! ✓ Easy ...
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goat gifts for any goat lover

27 [More] Goat Gifts You Will Absolutely Love…Really!

Goat gifts for your goat loving friend AND goat friends! There's an inner goat lover in all of us and ...
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How-To-Milk-A-Goat

How to Milk a Goat [7 Easy Steps]

INSIDE: Are you curious about how to milk a goat? Watch the full unedited goat milking video below and then ...
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A homestead hack: a simple strip cup for milking. Would you love to have a simple, FREE alternative to a strip cup? We've got the solution!

Simple Strip Cup for Milking: A Homestead Hack

Inside: Would you love to have a simple, FREE alternative to a strip cup? We've got the solution for a ...
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Milking goats | Homemade milk filters | Goat Care | Homemade milk filters for the "just in case". You may run out at an inconvenient moment and would also be ready if there ever were a shortage of filters

Homemade Milk Filters Using a Bed Skirt

Inside: Homemade milk filters for the "just in case". You may run out at an inconvenient moment and would also ...
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The benefits of raw milk are astounding. If your family members are milk drinkers, you will find it worth it to look into raw milk.

Benefits of Raw Milk That YOU Need!

Inside: The benefits of raw milk are astounding. If your family members are milk drinkers, you will find it worth ...
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The Benefits of Goat Milk are Astounding. Truly. These 10 reasons are why you should look into drinking goat milk. Your body will thank you!

Astounding Benefits of Goat Milk!

Inside: The Benefits of Goat Milk are Astounding. Truly. These 10 reasons are why you should look into drinking goat ...
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Milk Stand | Goats | Goat Care | How to Milk a Goat | There are many options for a milking stand and they are easy to build. I will share with you how I built mine to give you an idea of what may work for you.

How to Build a Pallet Milking Stand

Inside: There are many options for a milking stand and they are easy to build. I will share with you ...
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2015 Baby Announcement–NO Kidding!

Baby Announcement In our baby announcement, we announced our baby girl's coming arrival after our goats had their kids. 🙂 ...
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I’m filling you up with things to read in your quest for goat knowledge, I bet you would also enjoy reading these as well:
5 Goat Lessons I Learned the Hard Way,Goats for Dummies Cheat Sheet, Fun and Profit in Goats

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