What does a goat need to be happy and healthy?
Goats make wonderful pets! When cared for properly, they are not difficult to keep and are rewarding companions. Like any pet; however, a goat does have some basic needs.
1. Goats are social herd animals, and a single goat is a lonely and unhappy goat. If you are purchasing one as a pet and do not already own one, we recommend that you purchase two together as a pair. In a reasonable number of cases we will be willing to work with you on price to ensure the happiness and comfort of your new furry friend(s). Even though the goat may be meant as a pet for you - it is unlikely that you will spend 24 hours a day in its pen or pasture.
2. Fainting Goats are well equipped to handle both Summer heat and Winter cold (as long as there is adequate shade in the summer), but they HATE getting wet. It will be necessary to provide a shelter for your goats. Goats aren't picky in this regard, but a dry, clean place is a must. We often suggest an extra-large dog house for this purpose.
3. At the risk of being silly: you must feed your goat(s)! Contrary to popular opinion - goats are not able to eat just anything. You will need to provide either good amounts of green grass and forage (in the Spring, Summer, and early Fall) or an adequate amount of clean, dry hay (a flake a day per goat is a good rule of thumb until you see how much they leave behind). It is not necessary to feed a Fainting Goat grain unless it is a male during breeding season, a pregnant/lactating doe, or a growing kid, but a handful or two a day does help to make your goat friendlier towards you (we use Purina Meat Goat pelleted feed from Tractor Supply). Please don't over-feed! It will also be necessary to provide free-choice loose minerals and baking soda in the pen or pasture with your goat(s).
4. You will need to provide clean, fresh drinking water at all times. An inexpensive automatic water bucket from a supplier like Tractor Supply can be helpful in this area.
5. Goats need to be dewormed on a regular schedule as other pets and farm animals do and this is not something that is difficult to do yourself - most feed supply stores will carry the proper dewormers. An easy way to give the dewormer is to put part of it into the middle of several small balls of bread and feed it as a treat. All of ours LOVE bread!
6. Your goat(s) will need to receive a yearly CDT vaccination (Enterotoxemia and Tetanus) which you can inject yourself or have your veterinarian take care of. An annual rabies vaccination is also suggested.
7. At least several times a year - you will need to trim your goat(s) hooves. This can be done with a simple pair of nippers (or scissors) and is fairly easy to do. Here is an excellent article on hoof trimming.
8. These little furry friends are certified escape artists! Be sure that your fencing is secure and that there aren't gaps between your gate and posts that they can squeeze through. You would be surprised how small a space is enough for a "jail break!"
9. Goats love to play! They are bouncy and rambunctious and like to have toys and stumps or barrels, teeter-totters or spools to hop on. Picnic tables, boxes, children's playhouses and even concrete blocks will give your pet a fun place to play.
10. And lastly... Enjoy! Goats like to be scratched on the cheeks and petted (although they don't like to have their horns touched as a general rule). They will nibble your clothes and your fingers and work their fuzzy way straight into your heart!
1. Goats are social herd animals, and a single goat is a lonely and unhappy goat. If you are purchasing one as a pet and do not already own one, we recommend that you purchase two together as a pair. In a reasonable number of cases we will be willing to work with you on price to ensure the happiness and comfort of your new furry friend(s). Even though the goat may be meant as a pet for you - it is unlikely that you will spend 24 hours a day in its pen or pasture.
2. Fainting Goats are well equipped to handle both Summer heat and Winter cold (as long as there is adequate shade in the summer), but they HATE getting wet. It will be necessary to provide a shelter for your goats. Goats aren't picky in this regard, but a dry, clean place is a must. We often suggest an extra-large dog house for this purpose.
3. At the risk of being silly: you must feed your goat(s)! Contrary to popular opinion - goats are not able to eat just anything. You will need to provide either good amounts of green grass and forage (in the Spring, Summer, and early Fall) or an adequate amount of clean, dry hay (a flake a day per goat is a good rule of thumb until you see how much they leave behind). It is not necessary to feed a Fainting Goat grain unless it is a male during breeding season, a pregnant/lactating doe, or a growing kid, but a handful or two a day does help to make your goat friendlier towards you (we use Purina Meat Goat pelleted feed from Tractor Supply). Please don't over-feed! It will also be necessary to provide free-choice loose minerals and baking soda in the pen or pasture with your goat(s).
4. You will need to provide clean, fresh drinking water at all times. An inexpensive automatic water bucket from a supplier like Tractor Supply can be helpful in this area.
5. Goats need to be dewormed on a regular schedule as other pets and farm animals do and this is not something that is difficult to do yourself - most feed supply stores will carry the proper dewormers. An easy way to give the dewormer is to put part of it into the middle of several small balls of bread and feed it as a treat. All of ours LOVE bread!
6. Your goat(s) will need to receive a yearly CDT vaccination (Enterotoxemia and Tetanus) which you can inject yourself or have your veterinarian take care of. An annual rabies vaccination is also suggested.
7. At least several times a year - you will need to trim your goat(s) hooves. This can be done with a simple pair of nippers (or scissors) and is fairly easy to do. Here is an excellent article on hoof trimming.
8. These little furry friends are certified escape artists! Be sure that your fencing is secure and that there aren't gaps between your gate and posts that they can squeeze through. You would be surprised how small a space is enough for a "jail break!"
9. Goats love to play! They are bouncy and rambunctious and like to have toys and stumps or barrels, teeter-totters or spools to hop on. Picnic tables, boxes, children's playhouses and even concrete blocks will give your pet a fun place to play.
10. And lastly... Enjoy! Goats like to be scratched on the cheeks and petted (although they don't like to have their horns touched as a general rule). They will nibble your clothes and your fingers and work their fuzzy way straight into your heart!