Goats
Here is an interesting fact: Both the Goat and the octopus' eyes have pupils that are rectangular in shape
The Two Different Types Of
Goats.
Dairy Goats are
mainly raised for milk. However, they make excellent companions as well.
Pygmy Goats are mainly raised just for show. Just like dairy goats, they also make good companions as well.
Female goats are referred to as does and male goats are referred to as bucks.
Does are good to raise because they
are easier to handle. They don't smell as much as bucks either. A male goat
that has been neutered is known as a wether. Other goats include Boer goats, Cashmere
goats, and Nigerian Dwarf goats. Domesticated goats differ from wild goats such as
Mountain goats.
Goat's Temperments
Goats all have
different personalities and various little habits that can be quite amusing. They are very
affectionate, especially during the summer months when they are too hot to be very active.
They like to just be around people and they love to be sctatched! It's fun to learn how to
milk a goat or trim it's hooves and other chores that must be done.
Signs To look for In a Healthy Goat. Weight A mature dairy
goat doe weighs anywhere between 125 and 200 pounds. A mature dairy goat buck weighs
anywhere between 200 and 300 pounds. Basic Care A goat can survive without food for a few days, but never without water. They should always have access to a pail of water. In some areas of the country it's prudent to see that the water isn't left out to freeze. A lot of goat owners
think feeding twice a day is best, others owners feed only once a day. Either way,
your goats will get along just fine. Decide which is more practical for your animal and
your time. Keep food and water where they are not apt to be soiled by the
goat. You can also feed
them either a loose mineral mix or a mineral brick. Because alfalfa hay is high in calcium, make sure the mineral mix is high in phosphorous and low
in calcium to maintain the proper calcium-to-phosphorous ratio. |
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Health Care
In most areas there
are three types of injections that goats need regularly: Tetanus toxoid, BoSe and a
vaccination for enterotoxemia. Babies should have their first injection at six weeks
of age unless they need it sooner to correct a problem. Until just a while ago yearly
boosters were normal, but vets are starting to recommend twice yearly vaccinations.
Check with your local vet to
make sure which injections your goats will need to have. In your area, additional
vaccines for other diseases may be necessary as well.
Goats should also be de-wormed twice yearly.
Cost
The following are approximate costs of items needed for raising a goat. Costs will vary in different areas.
Expect to pay anywhere between $100 and $300 for a registered Dairy Goat kid and anywhere between $150 and $350 for a Pygmy Goat.
The price of alfalfa hay varies between $9 and $12 per bale depending on the season and the feed store.
Grain costs about $9 for a 50 pound bag. One adult dairy goat eats about 1 bale of hay every 2 weeks.
Supplies Needed
Collar $6
Insecticide powder $7
Hoof trimmers $14
Milking bucket $20 - $30
Grooming brush $4
Dairy Goats
Six types of dairy goats are recognized by the American Dairy Goat Association.
Nubians
These goats have long ears that are floppy and they may be any color. They are a larger
breed of goat. The milk is higher in protein and butter fat than most breeds. They seem to
be a little bit more ornry than other dairy goats and make a very unique sound. Even their
"kids" sound like they are whining.
La Manchas
This breed of goat
has ears so small that it appears they don't have any at all. They can also be any
color. They have straight noses and are a smaller breed. The LaMancha sound is like the
typical goat makes. They seem to be calmer and gentler than most other breeds.
Alpines
This breed can be
any color but solid white. Their face is usually dished or straight. They have
ears that stand up and they are a medium-large sized breed. They give more milk too.
Oberhaslis
These goats are a
very specific color. They are a bay color with a black dorsal strip, udder, belly, and
black below the knees. They usually have an almost all black-colored head as well.
Does can be all black though. They have erect ears and are a medium-small breed.
Toggenburgs
These goats are also
very specific colors. They're light brown and have white ears and lower legs. The side of
the tail and two stripes down the face have to also be white. They have erect ears and the
smallest height requirment of any
breed. Most are pretty big though. They have a shaggier coat than other goats. They
tend to be a little more wild high strung than other breeds.
Saanens
These are usually pure white. They have a large udder capacity and produce a large quantity of milk.
Goat Milk
Humans consume goat milk. It's
a fact that more people in the world actually drink goat milk than cow milk. In the
United States however, it is just the opposite case. Goat milk is nutritionally just
like cow milk, but it has smaller fat globules and as a result, it is easier for some
people to digest and also it does not need homogenization.
Goat milk is used to feed many animals too.
Pygmy Goats
Pygmy goats originally came from Africa and were imported to the United States in the 1950s. They are smaller than dairy goats but they produce a fairly good amount of milk for their weight and the amount of food they eat. Pygmy goat wethers are relatively inexpensive.
They are easy to
raise and handle and are very affectionate, lovable and playful. A mature doe or
whether ranges in size from 16 to 23 inches tall and they usually weigh from 40 to 70
pounds. A litter usually consists of 1-3 goats and the kids weigh from 2-4 pounds.
The sound of a Pygmy goat is similar to that of other goats.
Pygmy Goat Colors
Agouti (dark) goats range from
silver-gray to black with solid legs that are darker than the main color.
Caramel (light) colored goats range from white to light brown. Caramel pygmies have light
vertical stripes on the front of dark legs.
Black - No white anywhere just solid black except for around eyes, ears, and nose.
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