A Guide to Raising a Female Goat
Most people think that a goat is a goat but if you are thinking about raising a female goat, some things definitely need to be considered. Today, it is common for goats to be purchased as pets and in fact, some breeds such as the pygmy goat are kept indoors. The one thing that many people do not know is that goats have personality. Most are actually very comical, ornery, and loving. When raised in a clean, safe, and loving environment, goats are excellent animals that can simply be enjoyed or used for milk, wool, meat, showing, and/or breeding.
If thinking about raising a female goat, the more information you can acquire the better so you would be prepared about living space, diet, illnesses, and more. To begin, the goat would need to be purchased from a reputable breeder. Rather than buying online or via phone, always visit the breeder’s location to look at conditions in which the goat was raised. You should also ask for references and if at any time the breeder hesitates, move on.
An important note is that because goats are not solitary animals but herd animals, your female goat would be happier, less stressed, and having a sense of feeling safe if you have two or more. Having a pet goat can be fun and rewarding but there is a commitment involved. Just as with a dog, cat, horse, or other type of animal, goats have specific needs. For one thing, you would need a backup plan in place should you need to go out of town. The person caring for the goat would need to know about proper care and have veterinarian information just in case of injury or illness.
Although when cared for properly goats are strong and healthy, they are susceptible to chronic and infectious diseases. To prevent your female goat from becoming ill, she would need to be vaccinated by a veterinarian qualified to treat goats. Your goal would also need to be seen by the veterinarian for preventative care for the prevention of worms, as well as a variety of other parasites.
Unless you plan to breed your goat, she would need to be spayed. If you plan to breed, you would need information specific to the breed. As an example, some breeds are capable of breeding throughout the year whereas others breed only during certain times of the year. Regardless, all female goats come into season every 21 days, which lasts between 2 and 48 hours. When in heat, she would start flagging her tail, becoming more vocal, and staying close to the buck. Often, the female will have less milk production and eat less while in heat.
If breeding, the amount of milk produced would be based on diet, age, and even breed. However, most dairy goats yield anywhere from 1,500 to 4,000 pounds of milk during a 305-day lactation period. That means every day a single goat would be able to produce up to six pounds of milk. Keep in mind that if the goat were kept solely as a pet, she would probably not be milked. In this case, she would produce milk for any kids and once weaned dry up.
The goat’s diet is diverse. Goats are notorious for eating literally everything, sometimes things they should not consume. For this reason, you need to be sure her pen or living area is void of any debris. If in a field, goats love the tips of trees and woody shrubs, as well as broadleaved plants. The best hay is alfalfa but pellet food is also available in different varieties if wanted. Some things consumed can actually kill goats such as Nightshade and wilted fruit tree leaves. Additionally, fescue grass, mold, and corn stalks should be out of reach.
As mentioned, when you purchase a female goat to raise it is a commitment in that most goats live anywhere from 15 to 18 years, and sometimes even longer. However, a goat’s life expectancy can be dramatically reduced if the goat becomes stressed or has issues while kidding. With proper care, you will find great joy in owning a goat!