"I didn't say it was good for you" the King replied.

"I said there was nothing like it."

---Lewis Carroll---


THE GOAT SHED WITH DONKEY

"***UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT THIS TIME***"

The material that follows is intended to help inexperienced goat farmers begin to think and learn about the goat business. This is not a comprehensive list or detailed recipes for success. It is a basic collection of ideas for you to consider. You should use this information as a starting point. Do not believe everything you see, read or hear. Be sure to double check key points using multiple sources of information before making major investments or decisions.

Fencing to keep goats in and preditors out is the most challenging aspect of goat housing. Goats do not require elaborate housing. They are generally hardy animals that tolerate hot and cold weather well as long as they are provided with simple shelter to protect from rain or snow in winter and from heat in summer.

The main fencing types include, CHAIN LINK, livestock panels, woven wire and electric. It is generally agreed that fences for mature goats must be at least 48 inches tall. Goats are agile jumpers so shorter fences may not contain them. Goats also like to lean on, push against, and stand on fencing, particularly if someone is on the other side to pet them or offer treats.


(Home Page) GOAT SHED WITH DONKEY

(1) GOAT HOUSING & FENCING

(2) DONKEY & GUARDIAN ANIMALS

(3) GOAT WORKING YARD, HANDLING & TRANSPORT

(4) GOAT WITH PACK OR CART

(5) FEEDING, NUTRITION & BRUSH GOATS

(6) GOAT HEALTH CARE

(7) BUCK MANAGEMENT & ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION

(8) GOAT GENETICS, WILD GOATS & PYGMY GOATS


GETTING YOUR FARM READY FOR GOATS?

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? Are you trying to make money or just have some fun? Is your business animal rescue, brush control, selling breeding stock, selling goats for the commercial meat market, milk production or some combination? How much time and money do you want to invest? You will have to make many decisions about HOW TO RAISE your goats. You will have to decide what type of goats to have, where to purchase your stock, what you will feed them, and WHAT PREVENTIVE MEASURES YOU WILL TAKE FOR THEIR HEALTH AND WELL BEING. To be economically viable, meat goats must get most of their required nutrients from forages. Do not make haphazard decisions. It will help if you set goals that are measurable, so you can chart your progress.

WHAT OBSTACLES DO YOU FACE? Understanding what is standing in the way of achieving your goals will be very helpful in planning for success. Typical obstacles might include limited amounts of money to invest, poor fencing, no buildings, not enough land, or a lack of knowledge. By identifying obstacles, you have automatically determined the areas where your energy needs to be focused.

LEARN AND STUDY BEFORE YOU START. Start out with a small number of goats (less than 10 is typical) while you are first experiencing goat farming. Most important, try to make sure you will enjoy what you are about to do. Goat ownership is a LONG TERM responsibility. How will you sell or dispose of surplus goats?



**GOAT FARMER OVERVIEW: LINKS**
NATIONAL GOAT HANDBOOK Healing Hooves Meat Goat Home Study Course Goat Care Practices UC Davis
Kidding Pen WSU/OSU Livestock for Landscapes Meat Goat Production Handbook Inexperienced Goat Farmer Hints (KIKO Goat)
Sustainable: Goat Overview PDF Caprine Supply Hoegger Goat Supply Meat Goat Production in Georgia (Spanish Goat)
Sustainable: Dairy Goats PDF Smoke Ridge Ranch Goat: Capra hircus Origin of Domestic Goat
Sustainable: Meat Goat PDF Oregon Meat Goat 4-H Meat Goats Emergency Euthanasia of Goats & Sheep


All who drink of this remedy are cured,

except those who die.

Thus, it is effective for all but the incurable.

---Galen---


(Home Page) THE GOAT SHED WITH DONKEY

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