Basic goat care

Ridge View farm Basic goat Care

This is how I care for my goats and does not replace vet care.

HOW I FEED MY GOATS:

*FREE CHOICE*

Pasture to browse (spring and summer)

Hay - I put out grass hay each morning and evening October thru April (aprox 2 lbs per 50lb goat) I also use a round bale during the worst part of the winter so they can eat all day

I put out grass hay only on rainy days May thru End of October (aprox 1 lb per 50lb goat) They graze and browse for extra roughage during the day so less hay is needed during spring and summer.

I feed a grain mix from Farmers Co-op called goat grower at a rate of 1lb per 100lbs of goat.

From Conception to kidding: for those using chemical wormer and vaccinations

If you use chemical wormers and vaccinate this is what I would do

30 days prior to breeding I worm the does and bucks 3 times 10 days apart with cydectin or ivomec.

After 100 days bred I worm goats that need it according to fecal results and I start to increase the Goat Starter 93448 from CO-OP.

30 days before a does kidding date I vaccinate with c,d&T, pasturella, BO-SE, trim hooves and dust for lice

2 days after a doe kids I worm them with Cydectin or ivomec 3 times 10 days apart and trim their hooves

When does wean their kids I slowly back off the grain and return them to just pasture/hay and grain only enough to get them in the barn at night and to keep them on a routine.

Minerals.

*FREE CHOICE:

Co-op Forage-Master goat mineral 96216 (I have switched to this as it has kelp added to it and has a high copper content)

Kelp meal (good source of iodine)

Treats.

Animal crackers, raisins and cereal

Table scraps are unhealthy and can cause health problems, possibly leading to death.

Wormer.

WHEN TO WORM:

The best way to control worms is to have a vet check manure to see if it’s necessary and worm when needed.

Cydectin (pour on) 1 cc per 25 lbs (given orally) (safe for pregnant does)

Ivomec Cattle injectable 1cc per 35lbs (given orally) (safe for pregnant does)

Ivomec plus cattle injectable 1cc per 50lbs (given orally) (safe for pregnant does)

Ivomec Pour-on 3cc per 25lbs poured on top line (safe for pregnant does)

Safeguard double the cattle dose for 3 straight days (good for tape worms only) (Safe for pregnant does)

Valbazen 1cc per 10lbs of goat (do not give to pregnant goats) good for worming kids

With most wormers, re-treat in 10 days to kill the eggs that have hatched.

LICE TREATMENT.

I use DE as a dust for lice but if you prefer or can't get DE you can

Dust with sevens dust every season change. (take care not to get it in their nose or eyes)

Or permectin II mixed according to directions with water in a spray bottle and sprayed down the topline from neck to tail.

COCCI PREVENTION.

Click for directions

Vaccinations.

-CD/T.

A series of 2 initial shots, followed by a shot annually. All bred does get their CD/T shots 1 month prior to kidding so they pass on antibodies to their kids through nursing.

Very crucial… goats are highly susceptible to Tetanus and enterotoximia.

-pneumonia

A series of 2 initial shots, followed by a shot annually. All bred does get their pneumonia vaccine 1 month prior to kidding so they pass on antibodies to their kids through nursing.

Pasturella Pneumonia is preventable through yearly vaccinations. Just as with CD/T shots there is a chance the pneumonia vaccine can fail and in that instance I keep BO-Bac 2X on hand which is an antibody shot to help treat pneumonia caused by the Pasturella bacteria.

Housing.

A house that will protect from heat and cold, and can have air circulation in the summer months, with good drainage.

Important Notes.

-It is important to always keep a constant diet. A sudden switch causes an imbalance in the rumen which can be instantly fatal. If a change is made, do it very slowly over a 2- 3 week period.

- Wethers and Bucks should not have any sweet feed, it can cause urine calsi., stones, etc.. A feed containing AC will aid in the control of this often fatal illness.

-If no pasture is available, I recommend feeding a complete feed made specifically for goats, without molasses, along with good quality hay, minerals, free choice.

-Give clean water every day. Goats enjoy this simple measure, plus it helps ensure cleanliness, and keeps parasites down. A heated bucket for winter is a lifesaver.

-Keeping feed and hay off the ground also keeps parasite, and disease under control

What not to feed a goat

Just because a goat will eat something does not mean you should feed it to them or that it is good for them

Paper: Goats like to browse and eat trees and bark, because of this, paper is naturally something they are interested in (it is made out of wood). But, paper has no nutritional value and it also contains a lot of things that aren't really good to consume. Do not feed your goat paper of any sort.

Cigarettes: Do not feed your goat cigarettes or cigarette butts (no matter out an "old timer" told you). Some people say you can use cigarettes to worm your goat, not a safe idea.

Dog Food: Do not feed your goat dog food. A dog's dietary requirements (they are omnivores) are totally different than a goat's (who are herbivores) and dog food can disrupt the goats digestive system.

Cat Food: Cats are carnivores, goats are herbivores and ruminants Carnivores and herbivores have two totally different things.

Another Note on Dog & Cat food: Be aware that is illegal to feed any ruminate protein back to a ruminate as part of the scrapie/BSE control program. Most dog and cat food has ruminate protein in it, and is not labeled for goats, sheep, or cattle. This ban has been in effect since 1997.

Normal goat health

Temperature = 102.5 - 104 - This varies depending on the temperature of the goat's surroundings.
Pulse rate = 70 - 80 beats per minute
Respiration =15 to 30 per minute
Rumen (stomach) movements = 1 - 1.5 per minute
Puberty = 7 weeks - 8 months (separate bucks from young does at 2 month)
Estrus/Heat Cycle = 17 to 23 days
Gestation = 143 to 155 days
Life span:
- Does = 11-12 years average age, but... usually the death in does is kidding related. Does that are "retired" from breeding around age 10 live longer: 16-18 years
- Wethers = 11-16 years average age
- Bucks = 8-10 average age - bucks usually live shorter lives than does and wethers due to the stresses of going into rut each year.
Full growth size: Most goats do not reach their full size until they are about three years of age. (They keep growing for about three years)

Maintanance schedule

Spring: March

CD&T booster (if you choose to vaccinate) (30 days prior to kidding)

Pasturella Pneumonia (if you choose to vaccinate) (30 days prior to kidding)

BO-SE shot 1cc (30 days prior to kidding)

Worm (after kidding worm with cydectin or ivomec 2 times 10 days apart then wait 10 days and worm with valbazen) If using Molly's herbal wormer then use the woodworm wormer 3 days in a row after the doe kids.

Trim hooves

cocci prevention