Basic Care for Goats

Series Summary

For thousands of years, goats have been used for their milk, meat, hair and skins over much of the world. In the last century, they have also gained some popularity as pets. Female goats are referred to as does or nannies, intact males as bucks or billies; their offspring are kids. Goats were domesticated in the Indian subcontinent by 9000 B.C. and were generally kept in herds that wandered on hills or other grazing areas, often tended by goat herders who were frequently children or adolescents, similar to the more widely known shepherd. In this free video series on goat care, a livestock consultant explains how to care for goats. Learn about the different breeds of goats, what to feed goats and how to groom goats for shows. Get information on breeding goats, building a goat pen and protecting goats from disease. Caring for goats is a great way to make money and have fun with animals, so learn how in this free video series.

Video Transcript

"Tom Boyer here again in Coalville, Utah. Chalk Creek Boers, talking about general care for..for goats. There are several areas that you need to include in your thinking and in your planning about managing good goats in a quality way. One of those is a good nutrition program. Nutrition needs to include quality proteins, energy, whether it's from fat or carbohydrates. It needs to include appropriate fiber, and good mineral. In addition to that you need to have a good health program. And that health program includes proper vaccinations, deworming, other exterior and internal, external and internal parasite control. And it needs to include...giving them the proper care in terms of where they can bed, their facilities. Those kinds of things. Quality exercise opportunities and good fresh water as a part of the nutrition program."