They’re adorable and super trendy, but before you go goat shopping, we’re gonna shoot straight with you about the realities of bringing them home.
Story by Tracy Lacina
This year social media feeds have been inundated with videos of cute little goats in cute little pajamas jumping nimbly (and cutely!) about, cavorting in an excessively jolly fashion. Perhaps you have been subjected to these so many times that you have begun believing that the only thing missing in your life right now is a (cute) goat in (cute) pajamas lounging next to your (unlit because it is still really hot) fireplace, nibbling happily on your ex’s straw hat.
Or maybe you have entertained a secret fantasy of a daily, at-home goat yoga practice?
Before you start perusing the want ads for good deals on goats, I would suggest you sit yourself down with a pen and paper (and a chocolate cookie if you have one) and prepare to take a few things into account.
Before I even begin on my list, I want to mention that many people in love with the idea of having a goat believe that they really can only get one of them. The reality is, even if you have the willpower to purchase only one, goats simply do better around other goats. They are herd animals, and no, your poodle and your three year old will not take the place of another goat. So do not plan to buy one goat, but at least two.
The Essentials
Let’s think about bringing your goats home.
Now, first things first, where are you going to keep them? As cute as they look in a digital meme cuddled into a laundry basket in someone’s pristine kitchen, the reality is that goats need room. If possible you should have an indoor space for them to get out the weather, be it sun or rain or snow. They should have access to food and water and a dry place to bed down inside. In addition, they must have access to an outdoor area. To give them optimal room for outdoorsy leg stretching (yoga doesn’t count!), plan on at least 200 and 250 square feet per goat. And unless you are feeding them entirely on purchased goat feed, they need material to browse. No, they won’t mow your lawn, but they will prune your trees for you.
Second, keep in mind that goats are supreme escape artists. Build it and they will break it. You must be willing to invest in good quality fencing. I have found for mine that cattle panels work well, but the woven electric fencing is the best. Goats are intelligent animals. They learn quickly, and usually their stubborn desire to get to the other side of fence will lose to their memory of the first time they ran into that fence.
Third, goats are more than a one-time investment. You have to figure in not only the upfront expenditure on infrastructure, but also ongoing and surprise costs that really add up. Feed and minerals are two big ones, but there are many more. One of the biggest are medicines, either to keep your goat healthy or to treat her when she is sick. You may choose to go the all-natural route; keep in mind that herbal treatments can be almost as pricey as conventional meds. Carefully price everything, and make sure goats are budget-friendly.
The Nitty Gritty
Once you are all set up to care for them, you are ready to start looking for the goats of your dreams. The NUMBER ONE THING TO REMEMBER before getting a goat is that there is a big difference between bucks (male) and does (female). Bucks, in a word, stink. They also pee on their faces, which, while it drives the does wild, doesn’t do much for anyone with more discerning taste. Go for does or wethers. Unless you are planning on breeding goats, you don’t need a buck. Now, do your research.Can you name a book or magazine that you’d suggest? I can add that to the postscript. Find the breed of goat that will best fit in with you and your situation. Do NOT visit the goat bargain basement. Do not rescue goats from Craigslist ads. You will be setting yourself up for heartache, as goats that are cheap or free are that way for a reason. For a beginning goatherd, it could be like diving into the deep end before you know how to swim. Find a reputable goat breeder and purchase animals with a clean bill of health and up-to-date vaccination and health records.
Last, be prepared to spend not only money, but a lot of time on your goats. They are a big responsibility; not, perhaps, as large as, say a baby or a room full of kindergarteners, but right up there. You need to work with them daily, usually more than once a day. You need to keep a close eye on them to make sure they are not showing any signs of discomfort or illness. You must learn how to deal with some pretty gross things along the way. Owning goats is not for the faint of heart.
A lot to think about, yes? I in no way, however, want to discourage you or frighten you away from getting your first goats. When I think back to when I got my first does, I wish I would have understood better what exactly I was getting into. I researched and read every book I could find on the subject (and I urge you to as well!) but when it comes down to it, your own goats are going to be your best teachers.
Learn well, be prepared, and have fun!
About the Author: Tracy Lacina has lived on a farm with her children, dogs, cats, chickens, bees, and, yes, goats for five years. She raises dairy and fiber goats, and has learned the more you know about goats, the more you have left to learn!
Explore More
• Want to learn about raising goats (and sheep!) from the go-to Texas organization on the topic? Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers Association has been educating farmers and the general public about raising the animals since 1915. More at TSGRA.com.
• Think you’d like to experience goat yoga for yourself, right here in Central Texas? Check out the NuLuv Goat Milk Products website.
Thanks for reading!
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