FAQ's
We have tried to compile a list of questions you may or may not think to ask but could be advantageous for you to know. If your question/s is/are not listed here or you would like further clarification on one that is listed please do not hesitate to contact us.
Generally this is done every 4 months or at the end of each season. Let your goat’s condition be your guide. If you rotate paddocks and your goats are not crowded and have good browse and a balanced diet we have found some animals are fine up to 6 monthly. Check with your vet or Agricultural service for what worms are troublesome in your area.
Again let your goat be your guide. Generally every 6-8 weeks. If your paddock/pen has rocky or hard ground not as often. Check your goats hooves straight away should it display any signs of limping, walking on knees or your goat cannot stand. Consult an experienced breeder, vet or agricultural store.
The short answer is yes definitely. Goats are very social creatures and need companionship. This need not necessarily be another goat (but would be nice to have a friend of his/her own kind) but can be a dog, a pony or other animal that they bond with.
Animals should be quietly introduced in a safe, supervised environment.
There are many forms of transport available. Some transport companies carry goats, some airlines will carry goats. A horse float, covered trailer, station wagon or utility with a canopy is also fine. Kids travel well in cat boxes. So long as your goat is in good health and is secure they will travel well.
Goats cry for all sorts of reasons. Once you get to know your mini goat you will also be able to distinguish the different bleats. They may cry if they are lonely, hungry/thirsty, feel threatened, cold, they are ill or if they get stuck. Never ignore a bleat especially if your goat is only new. Goats do not usually make a sound at night unless there is something wrong. It is best to investigate all bleats, especially at night.
If your mini goat is fed correctly, wormed and has access to clean water at all times, has a shelter from the heat, cold and wind they should get by without too much drama. Occasionally they will get scours either from eating the wrong plant, eating too much rich feed or if they have a tummy upset. On the whole they are relatively easy to keep healthy.
Bottle babies can go home once they are drinking well from the bottle and are in a routine. Ensure you get a 'how to' sheet from the breeder (what milk they are used to, how much to feed and how often) is crucial information so they thrive. If you change milk - do it slowly!
Kids on mum need to stay with the doe until they are weaned at 3-4 months of age.
Goats will play “goatee” games with each other. They will chase each other and head butt etc. Goats love to climb so a sturdy tree branch or log, an old cable drum, some form of platform with boards to jump from one to the other is goat heaven – make sure they are sturdy and stable. Check that there are no nails, screws or jagged edges for them to hurt themselves on.
Generally yes. As with most animals though there is always an exception to the rule. If your goat is in good health and not under weight or too fat you shouldn’t have too much trouble. You should always try to pin point the time your goat will give birth just in case. Having an experienced goat breeder who you trust on the other end of the phone or in attendance for your first kids born will give you some much needed support.
Yes they do. Goats scratch naturally, they love to rub up against a fence post or a tree and scratch but when the scratching becomes excessive or their coats look dull or hair looks as if it has split ends or bald patches they should be checked for lice. Once again, if your goat is in good health lice will not be too much of an issue. Lice do not cause human, injectables and sprays are available to combat them. It is good to dust their surroundings also.
This has to be a personal choice. Both wethers and does make lovely pets. The wethers will grow a bit bigger than the doe and wethers are cheaper than does. Contrary to popular belief wethers do not smell like the bucks. Does come into season every 21 days and some can become snitchy and some noisy during this time but otherwise are as good as pets as the wethers. So the decision is really whether you like boys or girls. 😆
If you purchase a mini from a registered stud your mini will already be tagged. If you breed your own you will need to buy a tagging tool and tags under your own (property identification code) PIC number. The tags will have your PIC number printed on them and then you can tag your goats yourself. Some breeders offer a tagging service for a small fee. PIC numbers are obtained from your local Department of Primary Industries or DPI. PIC numbers are free.
Tags with your PIC are for goats you have bred. If a goat you have not bred loses a tag you can retag BUT with a post breeder tag (these are pink) NOT your tag. These pink tags have your PIC on them BUT because they are pink it signifies that it is on your property but you did not breed it.
Goats have 60 chromosomes - sheep have 54.
Their feeding behaviours are very different too as sheep are grazing animals while goats are called browsers.
Goats, even though very social animals, are not as flock-oriented as sheep.
Goats are more likely to seek shelter in wet weather than sheep.
Male goats will rear up on their hind legs and lunge downward to butt heads while male sheep will run at, or charge, each other to butt heads.
If you mix male goats and sheep, the sheep will dominate because they don't play by the same rules and will charge the goats while they are rearing up.
Goats have a tail that mainly stands up and sheep have tails that hang down.
Most goats have beards – males definitely and some females.
Sheep do not have beards.