Goats are always curious and intelligent animals, which are a lot of fun to keep. However, this also requires a lot of effort. If not cared for properly, goats can turn aggressive and flee to more attractive grazing areas. Luckily, you can keep your goats happy by providing them with a safe enclosure, feeding them properly, taking care of them, and keeping them healthy.
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Method 1 of 4: Creating a Safe Cage
Step 1. Prepare a grazing area
This place should be spacious enough for the goats, provide protection, and be fun, for example by placing a large rock that the goats can climb on. Goats will forage in grazing. So, if you provide a large space, the goats will have plenty of food. Goats love plants, such as weeds, grass, and shrubs so grazing must provide a wide variety of crops.
- Goats will look for food and eat whatever is in the grazing. Make sure there are no poisonous plants in the grazing.
- Goats love weeds. So don't pull it out. Goats will chew it happily.
- Ideally, you should provide about 0.5 hectares or more of pasture for goat grazing. If you don't have a lot of land, you'll need to add additional food, such as hay and pellets.
- If you only have 2-4 small breed goats, 20 square meters of grazing space is enough if you add additional food.
Step 2. Build a strong fence around the pasture
In addition to keeping the goats from getting out, the fence will also prevent predators from entering. Goats are smart animals and can climb so they often get out of the cage. You must make a high fence that is difficult to climb, with a minimum size of 2 meters. Some goat owners install electric fences to prevent goats from leaving the cage.
- You can build a strong fence by driving heavy wooden posts into the ground and filling it with concrete. After that, attach the safety with a small perforated wire mesh instead of a large one.
- Keep enrichment items away from the fence so the goats don't jump out.
- Goats usually won't get out of the fence if they're provided with plenty of space, plenty of food, comfortable housing, and entertainment.
Step 3. Make the cage
Goats need at least a 3-sided cage facing south, which will keep them protected from the wind. Goats will use the place to shelter from things like heat and rain. The cage should have good ventilation, but not much draft. Provide a bed of straw in the pen to provide comfort for the goat.
- Goats can live in small cages or large dog houses.
- You can use a concrete floor on the cage for easy maintenance. However, such floors are expensive and must be covered with soft straw.
Step 4. Entertain the goats
Goats are very intelligent animals, and will throw a tantrum if they feel bored. Entertainment can be boulders, climbable slopes, or recycling bins. Goats are very happy to climb and stick their heads on these objects.
- Anything you place in the pen should be sturdy and not dangerous to the goat, such as spikes sticking out.
- Provide toys and treats to keep the goat active.
Method 2 of 4: Feeding the Goats
Step 1. Provide clean water
Goats must have clean water at all times. Use a heavy water container as the goat can turn it over. Check the water at least 2 times a day, and more often when the weather is extreme.
In winter (if you live in a country with 4 seasons), you may need to provide water throughout the day if the temperature is below freezing. You can also buy freeze-resistant water containers at a farm store
Step 2. Provide a variety of plants in the grazing area
These can be weeds, grasses, vines, and other greenery. Goats even love to eat thorny plants like wild roses! If there isn't much variety in your grazing, you can propagate seeds for weeds such as dandelion. Plant shrubs along the edge of the fence because goats like to graze in that area. You can also provide a forage of plants that goats love. We recommend that you give a mixture of some of the plants below:
- Grass
- weed
- Vines
- jackfruit leaves
- Moringa leaves
- Turi leaves
- Lamtoro
Step 3. Avoid giving poisonous plants
Goats may be known to eat just about anything, but some plants can be harmful to these animals. Although goats can recognize dangerous plants, these animals can eat them out of curiosity. Make sure this dangerous plant does not grow in or near grazing, and do not give its vines to goats. Some plants that are toxic to goats include:
- Begonia
- Aloe vera
- Azalea
- English fir
- Oleander
- Delphinium
- Carnation
- Larkspur
- wild cherry
- Chrysanthemum
- Lili
- Daffodils
- Bay leaf
- Opium
- Rhubarb
- Tomatoes
Step 4. Provide additional food in the form of hay and other grains
Goats do not need grain, but these animals really like to chew it. Grains are also suitable when the weather is cold or if the grazing is too small to provide a variety of crops. Provide several types of food, such as hay, oats, bran, and barley.
- Goats generally eat 3-4% of their body weight every day. You should feed the goat based on its body weight.
- You only need to provide additional food if the supply of plants in the grazing is not sufficient. You also have to provide additional food for female goats that will give birth or goats that will be slaughtered so that their bodies gain weight.
- You can also use feed pellets, which are rich in nutrients. This feed can be used to replace grains.
- When the weather is cold, provide additional food to help fight the cold. For example, you can give grain as much as 4% of its body weight if the goat is reluctant to graze outside the cage.
Step 5. Hang the weft above the ground
Although they like to eat grass, goats do not like to eat food that is placed on the ground. Placing food on the ground will reduce the chance of mold growing and prevent insects from eating it. When you provide food, such as hay, place it on the cage wall or fence post.
- A feeder for horses can be a good choice.
- If you keep more than one goat, use a wide feeder. It's possible that the goats will push each other when they eat, and the tight feeder can cause injury.
Step 6. Use a vet recommended salt lick supplement
Goats need a variety of vitamins and minerals in their diet, but the quality of their diet can depend on the quality of the soil and the food they eat. Usually, goats do need supplements. Many goat owners use a mixture of salt or salt licks that contain a variety of the necessary minerals. In this way, the goat will eat the supplement happily and will also drink in larger quantities.
- Your veterinarian will be able to determine which supplement mix is right for your goat, as soil conditions in your area will affect the mineral mix needed. The doctor will also suggest the amount of salt supplements to provide and how often to give them.
- You can buy a salt mixture or salt lick for goats at animal feed stores or the internet.
- Always keep supplementary supplements away from goats as these animals will eat more than the recommended dose.
Method 3 of 4: Performing Treatment
Step 1. Clean the coat every day
As a first step, use a stiff-bristled brush to untangle and remove any adhering dirt and mud. Next, run the comb through the goat's hair to remove any remaining dirt particles. And lastly, run a soft bristle brush on the goat so that the fur is shiny. While doing this, run your hands along the goat's body to check for lumps or swelling on its body that could indicate disease or injury.
If you notice anything unusual or your goat's behavior changes, contact your veterinarian immediately
Step 2. Check the goat's hooves daily
Keep the goat's hooves dry. When you brush your goat's hair daily, check the hooves for any damage or stuck objects, such as dirt or rocks. Remove anything stuck and make sure the nails look good. If you smell a foul odor or notice any damage, contact your veterinarian immediately.
- You can remove any dirt or stones stuck in the goat's hooves using a nail brush or hand.
- An unpleasant odor can occur due to a condition called nail rot, and this must be treated. Usually, the leg of the goat should be soaked in a solution of copper sulfate. Even so, consult with your veterinarian first.
Step 3. Trim the goat's hooves
Without healthy hooves, goats will not be able to run, climb, and jump. Unfortunately, too much and too little clipping of the hooves can cause a goat to limp. Have a professional teach you how to trim a goat's hooves, and the proper nail size for a goat. If the goat's hooves are trimmed properly, you should trim them every 6-8 weeks to maintain the length of the hooves.
If you don't feel confident trimming your goat's hooves, ask a professional to do it. Better to pay a professional to do it than harm the goat
Step 4. Trim the goat hair if necessary
Use electric shears to trim the goat's hair. When the weather is cold, the areas that should always be cut include around the udder, stomach, thighs, and tail of the goat. When the weather is warm, you can trim the body hair to make the goat feel more comfortable.
- If you're not used to using pruning shears, start in a small area first until you get used to it. It's a good idea to ask an experienced person to teach you how to use it.
- Don't trim hair near your eyes, ears, and other sensitive areas unless you're not good at using pruning shears safely.
- There is no fixed size for goat hair length, but consider the weather in your area. It's really not good if you cut the goat hair when the weather is very cold.
Method 4 of 4: Keeping Goats Healthy
Step 1. Clean the goat manure and bedding every day
Pick up wet and smelly goat manure and bedding every day. This includes manure that is scattered in grazing areas and pens. Replace the bedding with new straw.
- This can prevent disease in the goats because you have removed the parasites in the feces.
- Once or twice a year, clean the goat pen thoroughly. Take the bedding and brush the entire surface of the cage. Next, replace the bedding with new straw.
Step 2. Encourage the goat to actively move
Goats are active animals so you have to keep them active. Encourage the goats to climb by placing climbable objects in the grazing area, such as large rocks, wooden structures, and shrubs. You can also play and run with the goats.
- If the grazing area is small, take the goats for a walk.
- Goats also like things like seesaws that allow them to move up and down and balance their positions.
Step 3. Ask your vet for a "BoSe" injection
BoSe injections contain selenium and vitamin E, which are very much needed to keep goats healthy. Selenium and vitamin E are essential for bone, muscle, and reproductive health. Many goats are deficient in this important mineral and must be given a BoSe injection once a year.
- These injections can only be obtained through a veterinarian so you must have a prescription for them.
- If you want to breed goats, it's a good idea to give this shot before breeding them. This can help the young goats to grow properly and prevent complications in the mother goat.
Step 4. Vaccinate the goats annually
Goats should be vaccinated against tetanus and CDT (to protect against Clostridium perfringens types C and D). Over time, the effect of the vaccine will wear off so you will have to give it every year.
- If goats are to be bred, the vaccine should be given about 30 days before the goats are mated, and the mother goat should be vaccinated 30 days before giving birth. Baby goats should also be vaccinated at 5-6 weeks of age for the first time, and vaccinated again about 3-4 weeks later.
- You can also give your goat a rabies vaccine if advised by your veterinarian. Rabies vaccination is not common for goats.
Step 5. Remove the worms from the goat's body after you consult a veterinarian
Goats can be attacked by parasites in their bodies (such as worms) so you have to get rid of them. Deworming medications specifically designed for goats are almost non-existent, so you can use medications made for cattle, sheep, or horses. You will have to adjust the dosage based on the size of the goat. Therefore, you should first consult with a veterinarian.
- If you want to breed goats, give the mother goat antiworm medicine right after the animal gives birth to protect the mother and her baby. Antiworm medicine will be consumed by baby goats through their mother's milk.
- Young goats should also receive anti-worm medicine for the first time at 6-8 weeks of age.
- You can also use this chart to give antiworm medicine:
Step 6. Watch out for bloating
There are several things that can cause bloating in goats, such as overeating, eating an unbalanced diet, or eating toxic objects. Whatever the cause, this can be dangerous. If your goat's stomach looks enlarged, rounded, and firmer than before, call your veterinarian for a check-up.
- If the stomach is swollen, or the goat has difficulty walking, this could indicate that the goat has a lot of gas in its stomach.
- It's a good idea to consult your vet before trying to treat it yourself. One example of a treatment is to put 500 ml of cooking oil or mineral oil into the goat's throat, then press and massage the goat until the gas comes out. After that, mix 1 tbsp. (15 ml) sodium bicarbonate with 240 ml water or molasses. Give this mixture to the goat.
- Bloating can be very dangerous for goats. So you have to deal with it immediately.
Tips
- If you don't know how to trim a goat's hooves, ask your vet or goat care professional to trim them.
- You can keep only 1 goat, but these animals will be happier if you have at least 2 goats. Goats also enjoy playing with dogs and other farm animals.
- Goats love to jump and climb. So, provide some kind of boulder or other object that can be jumped.
- If you want to keep a goat that does not have horns, the recommended time to cut the horns is when the goat is about 1 week old. If you want to cut the horns of an adult goat, you should take him to the vet.
- Make sure the fence lock is placed outside the gate.
- For more information on how to raise goats in your area, contact your local livestock service.
