Behavior
Goats are natural climbers and jumpers. These intelligent animals are quick to learn and like attention. Since goats can also acquire annoying habits, one should be careful how goats are handled, especially kids. For example, lifting a kid over a gate will teach the kid to jump or climb over the gate. Playful pushing on a kid’s head will encourage it to push back or butt.

Facilities
Escape-proof fences are needed due to the goat’s climbing capabilities. As with all livestock, goats should be provided with dry, clean bedding in a draft-free enclosure (15 sq. ft/goat). Barns/sheds should be well ventilated. When goats are slick shorn for shows, additional measures, such as heat lamps, may be needed to keep goats warm during cold weather. A well-drained outside pen large enough for the goat to get ample exercise should be provided. Since goats are skillful climbers, placement of large objects, such as rocks, wooden spools, or tree stumps, in the pen/pasture provides goats with climbing exercise and recreation.

As well as being adept climbers, goats are also known for their jumping ability. Fences should be at least 42 inches in height and predator-proof. When using woven (net) wire fence, use a 12 inch wide by 6 inch opening to prevent goats from getting their heads caught in the fence. Five-foot tall galvanized wire panels with four-inch squares make excellent fencing.

Also needed for dairy goats is a separate milking area with stanchion on elevated platform, which makes it easier to milk does.

Feeders
When self-feeding goats, place feeders at least six inches off the ground. The use of movable troughs that can be hung on a fence works well when hand-feeding. Hang troughs at the height of the top of the goat’s shoulder. Feed troughs should be cleaned regularly. To help reduce disease transmission, raise hay and mineral feeders off the ground. Place feed troughs so that goats cannot stand in them. Otherwise they may defecate or urinate in the trough.

Water
Fresh water is essential and is an often overlooked nutrient. Remember to check water availability on a daily basis and to regularly drain and clean water troughs. To keep water cool during warm weather, locate water source in the shade. Goats may drink a large amount of water during hot weather. It is very important to encourage water intake to help prevent formation of urinary calculi.

Reproduction
An excellent health program and nutrition program are essential to promote the birth of one to three live, healthy kids per doe on a yearly basis. Goats are polyestrous (seasonal anestrus) breeders. Gestation is five months. Puberty occurs at 6-8 months of age with breeding at 7-10 months of age or when doelings reach 60-75% of mature body weight.

The breeding season typically runs from August through January, with an 18-23 day estrus cycle. Does usually remain in heat for one to two days. Signs of heat are usually easily detected and include uneasiness, riding other animals, standing for riding, an unusual amount of tail flicking, frequent urination, an abnormal amount of bleating, reddish and perhaps swollen vulva, and moisture under the tail. Conception is highest from the middle to the latter part of the heat period. Consequently, if signs of heat are first noticed in the afternoon, goats should be bred late the following morning.

Bucks have a strong odor during the breeding season and should be kept in individual pens at all times to prevent fighting. The typical buck to doe ratio is one buck to 20-30 does.

Accurate records of heat periods and breedings are helpful in maintaining a 365-day kidding cycle.

Dairy goats, especially those used for commercial purposes, should lactate for 305 days followed by a 60-day dry period, which allows the mammary system time to regenerate and repair mammary tissue.

Shortly before the expected kidding date, the doe’s udder, hind quarters, and tail should be clipped to facilitate cleanliness during kidding. The doe close to kidding should be moved to a quiet, draft-free pen with dry, clean bedding. Shortly after kidding, the doe should be cleaned and offered warm water. Fresh bedding should be provided after kidding. Once the kid(s) have nursed, check the doe for mammary tightness. The doe may need to be milked to relieve mammary tightness (excess colostrum may be frozen for future use).

Follow strict sanitary guidelines when milking goats. Udder and teats should be washed prior to milking and teats dipped with a disinfectant after milking to help prevent mastitis. Milk equipment should be disinfected between uses. Contact the local extension office for recommendations on handling milk for human consumption.

Kids
Kids should nurse as soon as possible after birth (the sooner the better) to receive colostrum, the doe’s first milk. Colostrum provides maternal antibodies for disease resistance and essential nutrients needed for healthy, early growth. It also has a laxative effect which helps “clean out” the newborn kid’s digestive system. After the first two or three days, kids can continue to nurse from the doe or can be bottle, bucket, or pan fed. Thoroughly clean all feeding equipment after each use. The newborn kid’s navel should be dipped in iodine to prevent infection. To prevent sickness, keep pens clean.

Dehorning
When horns are not desired, it is preferable to dehorn (disbud) kids when they are a few days old. Otherwise dehorning becomes more stressful as horn size increases. Some shows require “tipping” of horns which can be accomplished with little stress. Tipping should be done four to six weeks prior to show date to allow ample time for horn tissue to completely heal.

Castrate
Castration of buck kids should be done at 4-6 weeks of age to allow proper urinary tract developement. Of the three castration methods (knife, emasculatome, and elastrator), the elastrator method is the most popular. To prevent tetanus, kid bucks should be vaccinated with tetanus antitoxin at time of castration.

Tattooing
All registered goats must be tattooed, usually in the ear. The exception is the La Mancha breed which has very little, if any, external ear flap. This breed is tattooed in the tail. Contact the appropriate breed association for tattooing procedures.

Hoof Trimming
Rough terrain will wear down a goat’s hooves. Goats kept in pens or on smooth terrain, may need regular hoof trimming approximately every six weeks. For show goats, hoofs should be trimmed one to two weeks prior to the show in the event that hooves are trimmed too short causing sore hooves. In one-two weeks, the hooves will have grown enough to enable to goat to walk normally.

Ensure goats have access to clean, fresh water and forage at all times. Goat Power Mineral should be offered free-choice at all times. Goat Power products contain copper. Do not feed to sheep or other copper sensitive species. Angora and Pygmy goats have been reported to be sensitive to copper supplementation.

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