Got Goats?

Published in Barnyards & Backyards: Rural Living in Wyoming Winter 2018 magazine

Goat ownership is increasing in popularity for many small acreage landowners for a variety of reasons. Goats are inexpensive, small, and easy keepers making them a good alternative to larger livestock like cattle.

Eating

Goats eating habits are different than sheep and cattle because they are browsers not grazers. Browsers feed on leaves, bark, and green stems while grazers look for more nutrient-rich grasses. Goats aren’t picky eaters and when put in a pasture with cattle they will likely eat what the cattle leave behind like weeds. Goats don’t require expensive feeds and are not prone to a lot of health issues. However, worms can be an issue. There are medicated feeds that can be given to them or they should be dewormed with the use of an alternative applications at least once a year.

Photo by Katie Shockley

Goats need minerals in their diet to stay healthy. In some areas of Wyoming goats won’t get enough of these in their diet just by browsing. For example, in the Laramie area, goats can experience copper deficiencies. Supplements can be used to stop these mineral deficiencies. If goats are growing, milking, or pregnant they may also need grain to help maintain energy levels.

Like all animals, goats need access to clean water. Goats do not like to drink cold water and will need warm/room temperature water in the winter to encourage them to drink and stay hydrated.

Fencing

Keeping good fences is an important component to goat ownership if you want to keep your neighbors happy. If a fence is too short, a goat who enjoys jumping will be able to jump upwards to four feet. Goats also enjoy climbing and leaning on fences so the wire needs to sustain their weight. It is also important to choose a wire that goats can’t get their heads or horns stuck in.

Goats often rub against the walls and fences so it’s important these structures are sturdy. The fence posts should either be eight foot wooden or metal posts and should be spaced eight to ten feet apart and buried at least two feet deep.

There are several fencing types to choose from. A few options include woven wire fencing, panels, or electric fence. Woven wire is a popular choice but can be expensive and hard to install. In order to keep goats from sticking their head through the fence choose a four inch opening. Cattle or goat panels that have graduated spacing are another option for fencing. Electric fencing can also be used to contain goats. Goats are more likely to go under a fence than over, so it’s important to put the bottom wire close to the ground (about 6 inches) to discourage this.

Playing

Besides good fences, goats don’t require a lot of supplies. However, they do need some form of entertainment. Providing toys they can play with or things they can climb on will help keep them out of trouble. Many goat owners will build playpens for goats to enjoy. Various play pen designs can be found online or simply providing goats with a few tree stumps or rocks will give them enough opportunity to run and jump around.

Selecting

Goats are used primarily for dairy and meat production. The first step is lining out priorities to determine what the goat will predominantly be used for. If the purpose of the goat is for weed management, an inexpensive goat will work. A dairy wether (neutered male) goat can be found at a local sale barn and is fairly inexpensive, making it a great choice to help with weed management.

Photo by Katie Shockley. Milking lamancha goat

However, if the purpose of the goat is to provide a product like milk or meat, there are some breeds that are well adapted to life in Wyoming. The typical dairy goat breeds found in Wyoming are Nubian, Alpine, and Lamancha. Nubian goats have the highest butterfat content to produce a flavorful milk. The breed is adaptable to heat and they have a prolonged breeding season, allowing them to be milked nearly year round. Alpine goats are very hardy and adapt well to most climates. Lamancha goats are known for their distinct ears and it is the only breed of goat developed in the United States. They are very friendly and the milk has a relatively high butterfat content. Their short ears help reduce the chances of getting frostbit in the cold Wyoming winters.

With many dairy goats it might be easiest to purchase milking equipment to help ease and speed up the process. Dairy goats require milking twice a day. The milk from goats can be used to make ice cream, soft cheeses, milk, soaps, and more.

Raising goats for meat production is another option for those interested in starting a herd. Goat meat is the most consumed meat in the world. Goat meat is low in fat making it good for individuals with high cholesterol. In Wyoming, there are two common breeds used for meat production: Boer and Kikos. Boer goats adapt well to most environments. They are intelligent, gentle, and likeable. Kiko, which means “meat” in Maori, are ideal for low-input goat production. They work well in rough-country environments and require less maintenance.

Meat goats are likely to be more stubborn in nature than diary breeds. Dairy goat breeders are likely to bottle feed the kids (baby goats) making them more accustomed to people. The floppy ears that some goats have help to regulate heat, however, they are prone to frostbite during the winter. Goats with bigger ears may need a shelter to help prevent frostbite or as mentioned previously, Lamancha’s can be a good option.

Photo by Katie Shockley

General Care

Goats’ hooves should to be trimmed periodically. If hooves become overgrown it can make walking painful, leading to other foot and leg problems, such as arthritis, joint, and tendon problem. This can make competing for feed difficult.

Disbudding is a common practice used by many goat owners. It’s important to disbud - remove the “buds” or tiny horns - when they are babies. They are easier to handle without horns, eliminating safety concerns for both people and other goats. Goats often head butt with each other to help determine the hierarchy. Goats with horns can severely harm other goats in the herd or they can get their horns caught in the fence. The main reason to leave horns is to allow them to have protection from predators. However, the herd should remain uniform in whether or not they have horns. Allowing one or two goats to have horns while the rest have been disbudded can put them at great risk for injury.

Whether using goats for weed management or production purposes, they can be a great option for small acreage landowners. Not only can they offer a source of milk, meat, or weed maintenance, but, they can also become a great friend, with lots of personality to provide countless days of entertainment and enjoyment.