Goats can make affectionate, intelligent pets, and understanding the basics of goat care and ownership – the basic facts about goats, their behavior, requirements for fencing, housing and supplies, and where to find a pet goat – can help goat enthusiasts determine if this is the pet for them.
“When considering adopting a goat, the first step is to ensure that livestock is permitted in the community where you live. Many suburban cities and towns will not allow you to keep goats as pets. Others require special permits. Just don’t wait until you get the goat home to investigate these things,” explained Virginia Hadley, a longtime goat enthusiast and breeder.
There are six basic breeds of goats: Nubian, Alpine, LaMancha, Saaneen, Toggenburg, and Oberhasli. Goats are very social creatures and enjoy the company of other goats and farm animals, although some dominant bucks may fight with other males.
The average lifespan of a goat is 15 years, although some individuals can reach ages beyond 25. Goats typically weigh between 100 and 300 pounds, with the males about 20 percent larger than the females.
“Many people don’t realize that goats are trainable. They can be trained to walk on a leash, come when called, and they can even be potty trained to some degree,” Hadley explained.
Goats are also known for their mischievous nature, particularly their tendency to investigate the world with their mouths, including clothing, hands and just about anything else they find interesting.
Before bringing your new goat home, an escape-proof enclosure must be erected to ensure the goat’s safety. Goats are notorious escape artists and they’re adept climbers, so not just any fence will do. And in addition to keeping the goats in, the enclosure must also keep potential predators out, including panthers, bobcats, coyotes, wolves, and even some larger dogs.
Chain link fencing and electric fences, although expensive, are among the most effective types of fencing for a goat enclosure.
Within the enclosure, a shelter must be erected to protect the goat from the elements. In warm climates, a lean-to structure can work well. But in most areas, a barn or large shed, converted into a goat house, is a must to ensure health and wellbeing.
Per goat, approximately 20 square feet should be provided within a shelter, and 200 square feet should be provided within a secure outdoor enclosure.
Supplies must also be purchased, including hay for bedding, a water receptacle, and other items, like de-wormer and other parasite control products. Grass hay, like Timothy hay, is also a necessary part of a goat’s diet, and must be available at all times. In locations where goats cannot access pasture (usually during the winter months), goat chow or goat grain must be provided as well.
It’s also vital to locate and contact a veterinarian who is capable of providing routine care and treatment in the event of an illness or injury. Annual vaccinations are required for tetanus toxoid and clostridium perfringens type C and D toxoid, and additional vaccinations are required prior to breeding.
An experienced livestock veterinarian can also educate new goat owners on some other elements of routine care, such as parasite control, shearing, milking and hoof trimming, which is recommended every four to six months.
Once a soon-to-be goat owner has an appropriate enclosure, shelter, food and supplies, and a vet selected, the only thing missing is the goat. Pet quality goats can be purchased from breeders, or adopted from animal shelters, rescue organizations and other goat owners who are seeking to re-home their pet. Depending on the sex, breed and age, a goat will cost anywhere from just under $100, up to several hundred dollars, which is typical for specialty goat varieties, like the fainting goat.
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