How to Raise Billy Goats

Billy goats, also known as bucks, are not always easy animals to raise, but the potential for making profits from them is very good. Some farmers prefer them over cattle, because they are less expensive to care for, can be raised in both cold and hot climates and can serve a number of purposes. They are good for breeding, and they can be used for meat and their skin can be used for hide. It is probably best that you either have some experience with them already or that you get help and advice from somebody who knows about how to properly care for them, before you take on the task of raising a billy goat.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knowledge of billy goat habits and characteristics
• A secure cage with a lot of room and adequate food and water
• Females to mate your billy goats with
• A veterinarian who is experienced in dealing with billy goats

What to Keep in Mind When Raising Billy Goats

1. Consider getting two billy goats, rather than just one. That way, you can minimize the chances of any in-breeding during mating season. You can start mating a billy goat when it reaches 12 months old The wisest thing would be to mate him with just a few does at first, then increase the number of does he mates with, when he is older.

2. Build adequate "housing" for your billy goats, providing a roomy pen for them that will be large enough to offer space for them to move around in. The latch needs to be secure and the pen itself should be high enough to prevent the animals from escaping. A mesh fence that has a good height of at least four feet would be appropriate. Make sure that your goats have plenty of space that will allow them to graze and that they have enough water. Your pen needs to be in place and ready before you bring your animals home. Your billy goats need to be separated from does, until it is time to mate.

3. Try not to fall prey to the myths about what a billy goat is willing to eat. While they do have a unique digestive system, their normal diet does not consist of odd items like old tin cans and garbage, but, primarily, of botanicals. They usually enjoy eating things like tree bark, shrub tips, weeds, grass, leaves and other things from the plant family. You can also feed them hay.

4. Make sure that you keep your billy goat away from young children and vice versa. While young billy goats are pleasant and playful, their temperament changes considerably, as they grow and they may become aggressive and try to butt someone.

5. Be prepared for the smell. Unfortunately, billy goats develop an especially pungent body odor, when they get older and, if you touch the animal, the smell is strong enough to get on your hands and clothes. Always wash your hands after handling a billy goat and it's likely that you'll also need to toss your clothes into the washing machine, to get rid of the unpleasant scent.

6. Take your billy goat to a veterinarian, in order to ensure that he gets all of the necessary vaccinations and to check for any possible parasites it might have. In some rural areas, a vet will come out to your farm, upon your request, to take care of this, as well as to deal with other health emergencies that may arise with your animal.

Tips & Warnings

• Get advice from more experienced billy goat owners, if you need it
• Don't ever turn your back on a billy goat!

[rkremer]

on 9/3/2009 Good information in your article *5. I was considering a goat this afternoon after clearing weeds from the barnyard. It doesn't sound like such a great idea afterall. *5

[lisa1886]

on 8/23/2009 got a billy that is just scary. he has kept me indoors when he broke out. he wants to butt me & he has butt my husband,son,&step-son. i refuse to touch him. he spits at you & pissses on things & does other things like jaculate in his mouth. need a little info. on why he is this way & what to do when he does come after me? he can flat run & has tried to chase me in my car & has made me hostage in my home 3 times now! thanks