Brian Barth wonders if 2019 will be the year that goats join dogs, cats and parrots in the pantheon of animals that have gone from wild to domesticated. Barbara Jamison, owner of Puget Sound Goat Rescue, shares goat husbandry requirements about this farm animal trying to become a pet. They include:
- Most importantly, you must adopt at least two. Herd animals are profoundly unhappy when alone.
- Minimum of a quarter acre for a pair of full-size goats and an eighth of an acre for a pair of dwarf goats — small urban yards simply won’t do.
- Sturdy 4-foot fencing, with wire mesh that extends 12 inches
- Predator-proof, well-ventilated shelter
- Goats are next to impossible to house train
- Goats instinctively climb to the highest point available
- They are prone to intestinal parasites
- Hooves need trimming every few weeks
- Dehorn goats as a safety measure if they will be around small children
- Goats have a profound desire to eat every bit of foliage in sight
- Goats need high-quality hay, supplemented with fresh foliage, fruits and vegetables
Source: USA Today, May 12, 2019. Link.
. . . most DVMs, even those that specialize in exotic pets, do not treat goats. . . “ – Laurie Hess, DVM
INSIGHTS: We’ll stick to dogs and cats. Barth’s headline is misleading, but the content is worthy of sharing on social media or e-newsletters.