Small Scale Goat Farming

Small Scale Goat Farming

Small Scale Goat Farming

Small-scale goat farming is an accessible, profitable, and sustainable venture for homesteaders, rural landowners, and aspiring farmers with limited acreage. Whether your goal is meat, milk, fiber, brush control, or a combination, goats are efficient, adaptable, and relatively low-cost livestock.

1. Define Your Purpose

First, decide your primary focus:

• Dairy: Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian, Alpine, Saanen

• Meat: Boer, Kiko, Spanish, or crosses (e.g., Boer x Kiko)

• Fiber: Angora (mohair), Cashmere goats

• Land Management: Any hardy breed for brush clearing

• Pets/4-H: Pygmy, Nigerian Dwarf

Tip: Many small farms combine purposes—e.g., dairy does with meat kids, or brush-clearing does that also produce milk.

2. Choose the Right Breed

Consider:

• Climate adaptability

• Feed efficiency

• Disease/parasite resistance

• Temperament

• Market demand in your area

Popular Dual-Purpose Options:

• Kiko x Boer cross: Hardy, fast-growing meat kids with good mothering

• Nubian: High-butterfat milk + decent meat conformation

3. Space & Infrastructure

Land Requirements:

• 1–2 goats per acre (can be higher with intensive rotational grazing)

• Less land needed if supplementing with hay

Shelter:

• 10–15 sq ft per goat indoors

• 3-sided shed often sufficient in mild climates; enclosed barn needed in cold/wet regions

• Dry, well-ventilated, and draft-free

Fencing:

• Woven wire (goat netting) or cattle panels, 4–5 ft high

• Gates with secure latches—goats are escape artists!

• Electric fencing can deter predators but rarely contains goats alone

4. Nutrition Management

Forage:

• Goats are browsers, not grazers—prefer leaves, brush, vines, and weeds

• Rotate pastures every 21–30 days to break parasite cycles

Hay:

• Grass hay for maintenance; alfalfa for lactating does or growing kids

Supplements:

• Goat-specific loose minerals (with copper)

• Grain only as needed (e.g., late pregnancy, lactation)—avoid in wethers to prevent urinary stones

• Fresh, clean water at all times

5. Health & Wellness

Core Vaccination:

• CD&T (Clostridium C & D + Tetanus)—essential for all goats

Parasite Control:

• Use FAMACHA scoring, body condition scoring, and fecal egg counts

• Practice rotational grazing, multispecies grazing (e.g., with chickens or sheep), and pasture rest

• Deworm only when necessary—resistance is a serious issue

Hoof Care:

• Trim every 4–8 weeks depending on terrain and moisture

Common Issues:

• Pneumonia (poor ventilation)

• Coccidiosis (in young, stressed kids)

• Urinary calculi (in wethers fed too much grain)

• Mastitis (in dairy does)

6. Breeding & Record Keeping

Breeding Strategy:

• Use a breeding calendar to plan kiddings during favorable seasons

• Separate bucks from does unless breeding

• Consider artificial insemination (AI) to access superior genetics without keeping a buck

Kidding:

• Most breeds kid unassisted, but monitor first-time does

• Have a kidding kit ready: OB gloves, iodine, towels, heat lamp (if cold)

Records to Keep:

• Breeding & kidding dates

• Vaccinations & health treatments

• Weight gain (for market readiness)

• Milk production (if dairy)

• Pedigree (if registered)

7. Predator & Risk Management

• Lock goats in a secure shelter at night

• Use livestock guardian dogs, donkeys, or llamas

• Install motion-sensor lights or secure perimeter fencing

• Have a biosecurity plan—quarantine new animals for 30 days

8. Marketing & Income Streams

Meat Goats:

• Sell live kids at 40–60 lbs (common market weight)

• Direct market to ethnic communities, farm-to-table restaurants, or through livestock auctions

Dairy Goats:

• Sell fresh milk (where legal), cheese, soap, or dairy shares

• Offer agritourism (farm tours, goat yoga, educational workshops)

Other Revenue:

• Brush clearing services

• Breeding stock (registered goats)

• Manure for gardeners/farmers

Note: Check local, state, and federal regulations for selling milk, meat, or breeding animals.

9. Startup Costs (Estimate for 5–10 Goats)

Tip: Start small (2–5 does + 1 wether for companionship) and expand as you learn.

10. Keys to Success

✅ Start with healthy, disease-tested animals from reputable breeders
✅ Focus on forage and pasture management to reduce feed costs
✅ Prioritize breed hardiness over show looks (especially for meat)
✅ Build relationships with a goat-savvy veterinarian
✅ Join local goat associations or online communities for support

Small-scale goat farming can be deeply rewarding—offering fresh food, land stewardship, supplemental income, and daily joy from these intelligent, personable animals.

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