Being naturally friendly and enjoying plenty of attention, goats are a popular choice for lifestyle blocks.  They respond well to human interaction, loving to have their necks scratched, shoulders rubbed, and sides petted. 

As well as making great pets, there are a host of other reasons for breeding goats – and several important things to ponder before taking the plunge.

Goats need a balanced diet to stay healthy.

Decide what you want to do with your goats

Goats can be used for fibre (Angora), meat (Boer), or milk (Saanen, Alpine, Anglo-Nubian, Sable, Toggenberg).

FIBRE: Most goats have softer insulating hairs nearer the skin, and longer guard hairs on the surface. The Angora goat produces long, curling, lustrous locks of mohair – the entire body of the goat is covered with  this mohair and there are no guard hairs. Most breeders shear their Angoras twice a year. 

In South Asia, cashmere is called “pashmina” (from Persian pashmina, “fine wool”) and Cashmere goats are called pashmina goats (these well-fleeced animals are often mistaken for sheep). The pashmina shawls of Kashmir, with their intricate embroidery, are very famous.

Historically, the goat hide itself has been used for water and wine bottles in both travelling and transporting wine for sale. It has also been used to produce

MEAT: Being lower in fat and cholesterol than mutton, goat meat is nutritionally, healthier, and comparable to chicken. Chevon as it is called is lower in total and saturated fats than most meats.  A popular meat in India and Asia, chevon is similar to lamb in taste and is ideal for curries and stews.

MILK, BUTTER AND CHEESE: Goat milk can be drunk fresh, although pasteurization is recommended to reduce naturally occurring bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and E coli. Goat milk is commonly processed into cheese, goat butter, ice cream, cajeta and other products and is a  popular replacement for cow milk in diets of those who are allergic to cow milk. Goat’s milk is naturally homogenized, meaning the cream remains suspended in the milk, instead of rising to the top, as in raw cow’s milk.

Interestingly goat butter is white (compared to yellow butter from cow’s milk) because the goats produce milk with the yellow beta-carotene converted to a colourless form of vitamin A.

Once you have decided you want goats, you need to prepare your block for them. Unlike sheep and cows, goats require shelter which should consist of a sturdy, dry, draft-free structure that can provide protection from the sun, wind and rain.  A moveable house with a flat roof – goats love to climb – is perfect.  If it is particularly cold or damp, you can scatter hay in the shelter, but don’t leave it to rot as you will create more problems than you solve – especially with foot rot.

Goats are curious and can do tremendous damage in a short period of time so be prepared. They will jump over, crawl under, squeeze through, stand on, and lean against, all types of fence. Some goats are even clever enough to open latches on gates and doors.  A moveable electric fence will soon become your best friend.

Be sure to keep anything that the goats might climb or jump on away from the fence or they will learn to use that object to get to the other side and don’t plant anything poisonous near your paddocks.

Goats need a balanced diet to remain active and stay healthy. The nutrient requirements essential for growth, production, and reproduction are energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, and water.

The major source of energy for a ruminant is provided by pasture, hay, and grain. An adequate amount of energy must be provided or it will result in decreased production, reproductive failure, increased mortality, and the goat will be more susceptible to diseases and parasites.

Grain is a highly palatable mix of sweet feed. Unopened grain should be stored under cover and off the ground. Opened grain should be stored in a metal or plastic garbage can with a tight fitting lid. Never feed moldy hay to your goats.

Goats are generally good mothers, but on occasion may abandon a kid, making it necessary to hand rear it.  Where possible, try milking the mother and bottle feeding the milk to the abandoned offspring.  Kids will begin nibbling on hay and grain as early as 1 week of age and can be weaned from milk when they reach 10-12 weeks.

Goats consume trace minerals from good hay, forage, and concentrate. Trace mineral salt should be provided at all times. It is available in loose form or compressed into a block.

Goats must always have access to fresh, clean water. It must be filled up daily and can be offered in a bucket, tub or trough. The water should be dumped and cleaned once a week or when necessary.

Hoof trimming is necessary when you see growth start to curl under and form a flap over the sole of the hoof. Goat hooves can grow uncomfortably long in a short amount of time. A goat can become crippled if their hooves are left unattended for too long.

Goat hooves vary in how often they need to be trimmed but if you trim on a monthly basis, your goat will soon become accustomed to the routine and learn to stand still.