Aruni4 wrote:I'm sure you all would love to share your knowledge about goats....(I hope you do!
I'm trying to learn a bit about keeping every animal. So then there was a goat thread...so why not? So...how does one take care of a goat? How much space do they need? Can you walk a goat? How docile are they? What do they eat? Do they usually have twins?
To care for a goat, you need to do the normal, feed, water, clean. There are also some other things, like trimming their hooves, brushing, milking, and just spending time with them. When they are young, I spend no less then three hours with them everyday. You may need to band your buckling if you want a wether. You also need to debud the babies. I don't bottle raise, but if you do, you will need to feed the babies quite often. Goats need a companion goat, or they can be very stressed and unhappy.
A goat should, at the very least, have 5 squared feet per animal. They really should have much, much more. My barn is at least 50'x35', probably more, and they have an acre outside to run around and play in. We are planning on expanding their area either this summer, or next summer.
You can walk a goat! It takes a bit of training, but soon enough, your goat will know that you are the leader, and will walk perfectly.
To humans, the worst my goats have ever done is accidentally kick me when I train them to milk. To the other goats, they are fairly docile, but as every animal, they all have their own 'pecking' order. They do fight a little, but as long as you dehorn them, the fights shouldn't get too bad.
Goats need water and hay. The does get alfalfa hay, grass hay, water, treats, and grain. My buck gets grass hay, water, and very little treats. Kids need milk.
Twins and triplets are the most common for goats to have, although they can have 1-5 kids.
All this information is based on what I have been told, and what I do. I saved me goats from a butcher last 4th of July, and they kidded on Earth Day and May Day. Everyone is healthy and happy. The care of goats will vary from goat to goat, as bucks, kids, does, and even every different goat needs different care.If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!
