Cold weather brings out the space heaters and heat lamps in many animal housing locations. Karen Kopf shares safety measures for barns that also apply to coops, kennels and other animal enclosures. She says permanent use of extension cords is not advised for safety reasons. Source: Backyard Goats, November 27, 2022. Link. Cords usually fail in one of these ways: … [Read more...]
Making meat goat farming pay
Reports from the Iowa, Minnesota and Missouri State Fairs indicate the popularity of goats is not diminishing. While popular as 4-H and FFA projects, goats are the fastest-growing animal agriculture enterprise in the U.S. <Link>. Commonly referred to as chevon or mutton, the high demand for goat meat is frequently linked to ethnic buyer demand on special occasions and … [Read more...]
Dairy goats or meat goats? Which is right for you?
Second-year 4-H’er Brooke Nafziger shares a simple goat personality test to help people decide which type of goat they prefer. She shares her experiences and what she has learned from raising dairy and meat goats. There are different goats for different folks. So be sure it’s the kind of goat that’s right for you!” Source: Backyard Goats, July 13, 2023. Link. … [Read more...]
Miniature goats in the city
The self-sufficiency movements are bringing more farm animals into backyards. Farm stores often have mini goats for sale alongside chicks, ducks and rabbits during the Easter season. Jenny Rose Ryan discusses some of the boundaries and opportunities for including miniature goats in the city. For those with a decent-sized city lot a bit of know-how about local zoning and … [Read more...]
The costs of buying, caring for and feeding goats
Goat life spans are similar to dogs and are kept for a variety of reasons. Marissa Ames offers a comprehensive look at the various costs of acquiring and keeping goats for pets, meat, milk and weed control. Source: Backyard Goats, December 22, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
How to keep goats warm in cold weather
Successfully keeping goats in the coldest conditions and climates is possible. It requires acclimation, nutrition, and habitation. Herdsmen also prepare housing to keep goats warm in cold weather and select sturdy breeds ahead of the season. Source: Backyard Goats, November 27, 2022. Link. … [Read more...]
Training pack goats
Goats are almost the most ideally suited animal for packing, says Jaclyn Krymowski. Their moderate frame size and cloven hooves mean they can access rugged places horses and mules can’t. Plus, they have a natural walking pace like people. As browsers, they leave less environmental impact behind them. Source: Backyard Goats, October 5, 2022. Link. Pack goats are not limited … [Read more...]
Preparing goats for winter
Fall and winter aren’t carefree for caprine lawn mowers. The author reminds goat owners to refresh bedding, including the substrate and warns of possible toxins from garden plants being composted. It is also important to spray for external parasites, trim hooves and ensure vaccinations are up to date. Rhododendron and anything in that family such as azaleas are extremely … [Read more...]
Goats and chickens may not mix
Rebecca Sanderson shares how keeping goats near chickens could result in a positive Johne’s disease test. She shares the story of Stacy whose sick goat housed close to chickens became ill with a strain in the Mycobacterium avium complex which includes Johne’s disease Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium. Source: Backyard Goats, August 22, 2022. Link. INSIGHTS: Consider … [Read more...]
Goat hoof problems
Caprines, like their bovine cousins, can have hoof issues and lameness causing a reduction in food intake and weight gain, reduced milk production, lower reproduction rates and pain. Kate Johnson shares causes, treatments and prevention for common hoof challenges. Source: Backyard Goats, July 17, 2022. Link. Three of the most common goat hoof problems are: hoof … [Read more...]
Umbilical care, avoiding joint ill goats
Rebecca Sanderson shares the importance of umbilical care in newborn kids. Improper closure of the navel can result in bacteria transferring into the goat causing navel ill, also known as joint ill. If you do little else for your does at kidding time, do consider at least dipping the umbilical cord of the new babies to help prevent navel ill.” – Rebecca Sanderson Source: … [Read more...]
Before they buy that farm store goat
Local farm stores have added goats to the chicks and ducklings they sell this time of year. As cute as they are, there are important considerations before taking a goat home. The articles here speak to diligence, veterinary involvement and legal considerations for potential goat owners. Sources: What to Know Before You Buy a Goat, Backyard Goats. June 23, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Getting started with goats for milk
The popularity of self-sustaining food production on small acreages or large backyards includes rabbits, poultry and goats. Heather Smith Thomas writes about raising goats for milk and how their short generation makes goats a great project for 4-H kids. Dwarf goats don’t produce the volume of milk of large goats but their milk is high in butterfat and makes good cheese she … [Read more...]
Listeriosis in goats, moldy hay and zoonoses
Listeriosis, also known as circling disease or silage sickness, is a life-threatening disease primarily caused by the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. It is commonly associated with feeding moldy hay but can be found in the feces of infected birds, animals, fish and insects, as well as sewage. It can contaminate water, milk and food. Listeria is a zoonotic disease. Source: … [Read more...]
It’s written on goats’ faces
Tamsin Cooper says goats are smart. She shares how they use and read facial expressions and body language to communicate with each other and to gauge humans too. Source: Backyard Goats, March 3, 2021. Link. Scientific research has confirmed that goats seek out our faces when attracting our attention and they look to us for help and guidance. We also know that they are … [Read more...]
Wether considerations and boy bands
No, it’s not a misspelling. As a capon is to a rooster, or gelding to a stallion, a wether refers to a buck goat that isn’t anymore. How to get that job done is not without controversy. Karen Kopf writes about neutering goats using elastrator banding. Source: Backyard Goats, June 14, 2021. Link. One of the greatest risks of banding goats is tetanus since the band creates an … [Read more...]
No kidding. A review of caprine health concerns
As of January 2021, there were 2.58 million goats in the U.S. The 2012 map shown gives us a good picture of where the goats are. Herds of fewer than 500 animals make a majority of the numbers. Population disbursement, the popularity of goats in urban and ruralpolitan settings, as well as increasing numbers of pet goats make goat information important across the country. Here … [Read more...]
Those lousy goats
A goat owner cradled her prize goat during a recent Nat Geo Wild episode. Full of worms, it was fading fast. The TV vet rubbed the goat’s hair, inspecting skin and some crusty patches. Admittedly, I shuddered a bit thinking about what all could be crawling into the owner’s lap even though I remembered goat lice are goat-specific. Goats are becoming more popular and are … [Read more...]
Honey, I shrunk the goat
When considering a backyard pet, a manageable 4-H project for a child, or smaller livestock for a homestead or hobby farm, consider these small goat breeds. Theresa Miller offers a concise catalogue of compact caprines. Source: Backyard Goats, October 9, 2020. Link. … [Read more...]
Top goat predators in the U.S.
Predation of goats is a very real risk, according to Theresa Miller. She shares her top nine goat predators and describes the differences in kill evidence between them. As most would guess, the coyote is number one. Dogs and predatory birds are next in line. Feral pigs kill more goats than wolves, which ranked ninth on her list. Source: Backyard Goats, October 26, 2020. … [Read more...]
Goats, a decade-plus commitment
Expecting a goat to live a decade or more is part of an informed decision for potential goat owners, writes Janet Garman. She shares shelter requirements, hoof care, health maintenance, vaccination and nutrition. Source: Backyard Goats, September 15, 2020. Link. While goats are hardy little ruminants for the most part, they do not tolerate wet weather as well as cattle and … [Read more...]
To wether or not, when and how
When a male goat gets castrated, he becomes a wether. While it is possible to castrate surgically, it is not the preferred method, shares Karen Kopf. Banding is considered the safest, gentlest, least intrusive way to accomplish castration when done in a timely manner. One of the greatest risks of banding goats is tetanus since the band creates an anaerobic environment. Care … [Read more...]
2 letters that make goat owners go pale: C L
During a recent veterinary episode on Nat Geo TV, a woman arrived at a clinic with a prized herd doe. The goat’s face was badly swollen and she was gaunt from not being able to eat. A physical exam ruled out injury and dental issues. A blood test confirmed what the owner feared. It was Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL). CL is the curse of the goat industry. It is a highly … [Read more...]
Goats get foot rot, too
All hoofed animals risk foot rot and related foot scald. The reason for hoof rot in goats is commonly wet, moist ground and damp weather, according to Janet Garman. Two organisms cause foot rot: Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides nodusus. Fusobacterium necrophorum lives in the soil and is anaerobic. That’s the situation in deep, muddy pastures or stalls. If F. … [Read more...]
How to age a goat and more
Although goats all have the same basic needs, details vary due to age, sex, breed and individual requirements. Nutritional, activity and comfort needs are among them writes Tamsin Cooper. Pop quiz: Do goats have top teeth? Pick the right answer. Yes, they have top teeth in front and back No, goats only have lower teeth, the incisors Both, goats have bottom and top … [Read more...]
Nubian goats, America’s favorite dairy breed (includes video)
Small ruminants are gaining in popularity with commercial producers and hobbyists. Goats are favorites for 4-H projects, as well. Nubian goat milk is especially suited to cheese production. Nubians are also considered a good meat goat. Tamsin Cooper shares the history and profiles today’s Nubian dual-purpose goats. Source: Backyard Goats, April 4, 2020. Link. Most Nubians … [Read more...]
Electric fencing benefits goat keeping
Along with baby chicks and rabbits, some farm stores offer goats during Easter. Traditional fencing has its challenges. Electric netting fencing is a good option for keeping goats in and predators out. Source: Backyard Goats, August 23, 2019. Link. Potential owners often ask about goat fencing. Goats can be impressive escape artists. Give a goat a mountain and it will most … [Read more...]
The Easter bunny has company
Farm stores are preparing for the classic Easter chicks and rabbits. Now, some sell miniature goats. Angela von Weber-Hahnsberg discusses goat farming with pygmy goats and other miniature goat breeds. The small size and unique traits of miniature goats attract children, newcomers to the world of goats, and veteran goat breeders alike. Miniature goats of all kinds are … [Read more...]
Winter goat care
Temperature can be the least of challenges when determining how to keep goats warm in cold weather, writes Karen Kopf. She discusses the components of cold climate herdsmanship. Source: Backyard Goats, December 18, 2019. Link. Acclimation, nutrition, and habitation along with breed selection are all part of preparing to keep goats warm in cold weather. Also see: Search … [Read more...]
Goats can’t safely eat everything
You may think goats can eat nearly everything. Katherine Drovdahl, MA, CA, CR, CEIT, DipHlr, QTP, tells us differently. Knowing what to feed goats involves education. Even good plants can develop into a dangerous toxic condition called enterotoxemia if goats overeat on any plant they are not used to. She shares a few common toxic plants and suggests consulting a local … [Read more...]