HOW TO KEEP GOATS HEALTHY
Learning how to keep goats healthy is key to building a thriving, happy herd. Start by understanding the essentials and giving consistent care, and you will be on your way to keeping your goats in good health throughout the year.
How to raise dairy goats that are hardy by focusing on their care and giving support as they need it.
When I first started raising goats, I barely knew a thing about how to care for them. I understood they needed hay, water, and protection, but that was about it.
To prepare, I buried myself in books, then visited a few farms to get some hands-on experience before finally welcoming my first two goats home. That’s when the real learning began.
Raising goats comes with its share of challenges, but I’ve discovered that focusing on proactive care to build hardier, healthier goats is far easier—and more rewarding—than dealing with illnesses later on.
Can you keep goats from getting sick?
It’s not possible to completely prevent goats from getting sick, but you can take steps to greatly reduce the risk of illness. Start with good nutrition, ensuring your goats have a balanced diet. Be sure they have a clean, dry shelter and a dry area for grazing in the fresh air.
Know Your Goats
Regular health checks can help you spot problems early. Take time to observe your goats daily, watching for changes in appetite, behavior, or appearance that might signal something is wrong.
From day way it is important to touch your animals. Pet them, stroke them, and become familiar with their body condition so you can more easily see when something is off.
Fur can mask so many things in an animal. By being hands-on, you will feel issues many times before you see them.
How to Keep Goats Healthy
No, you can’t prevent illness or injury, but there are things you can do to help your goats fend them off.
#1. Feed a Balanced Diet
Your goats require a well-balanced diet that includes hay, pasture, and in some cases, quality grains. Keep track of what your goats are eating so you can adjust their diet as needed.
Providing extra minerals or supplements may also be necessary, depending on the nutritional needs of each individual goat and the area where you live.
Know what your land is deficient in so you can supplement your herd.
Purina | Goat Mineral Supplement Block for All Types and Lifestages | 33 Pound (33 lb.) Block
Premier 1 Shepherd’s Choice® Goat Trace Mineral Premix – 5 lb BagManna Pro Goat Balancer Supplement, 10 lb
Do goats need grain?
Not every goat needs grain in their diet; in fact, many goats do perfectly well on a combination of pasture and hay.
For our herd, we provide grain specifically to our milking does, pregnant does, and growing kids to support their additional nutritional needs.
#2. Provide Clean Water
Water is essential for keeping your goats healthy. Make sure they have access to clean, fresh water at all times.
Each day it is good to change out any water and give fresh. Goats can be picky and may not drink water that is stagnant or dusty.
Each week, clean out water buckets and remove any dust or dirt.
#3. Regular Health Checks
Checking your goats often is important for spotting potential problems early on. It’s also a great opportunity to bond with your goats and give them some extra care and attention.
Check their body condition, including weight, skin, coat, and hooves.
Keep an eye out for any changes in behavior or eating habits which could be a sign of illness or injury.
#4. Proper Shelter
Goats need shelter to protect them from harsh weather conditions such as rain, wind, heat, and cold. Providing a clean and dry shelter will help to prevent health issues such as respiratory infections and colds.
Make sure the shelter is well-ventilated and has enough space for all of your goats to comfortably rest and move around.
#5. Offer Free-Choice Minerals
Goats require a variety of minerals to maintain their health. While some of these minerals can be found in forage and grain, it is important to also offer free-choice minerals to ensure that your goats are getting all the nutrients they need.
Salt and mineral blocks specifically formulated for goats can be placed in their shelter or pasture for them to lick as needed.
Goats are pretty amazing animals and will eat the minerals they are deficient in. By offering a few different minerals, your herd will eat whatever they need as they need it.
#6. Vaccinations
Vaccinations are an important aspect of goat care and can help prevent common diseases. Consult with a veterinarian to determine which vaccinations are necessary for your goats, in your area.
SLCG Pro Tip: If you are not familiar with giving shots to goats, ask your vet to come out and show you how. I did this the first year with our herd, and she not only showed me how to give shots but also how to dehorn and take blood.
#7. Keep Records
It is also important to keep accurate records of your entire herd. This includes breeding dates, vaccinations, deworming schedules, and any other health concerns.
These records can help you track your goats’ health and identify any potential issues. Start a Goat Care Binder now and set up a section for each goat in your herd.
#8. Provide Healthy, Clean Pasture
Goats are natural grazers and providing them with access to a pasture can help maintain their overall health. Make sure the pasture is free of poisonous plants and weeds, as well as debris that could potentially harm your goats.
Rotating pastures can also prevent overgrazing and allow the grass to grow back, providing fresh forage for your goats.
#9. Provide Adequate Space
Goats are active animals and need enough space to move around freely. Overcrowding can lead to stress, disease, and fights among goats.
For housing, provide at least 10-15 square feet per goat. In pastures, aim for at least 200 square feet per goat.
Set up things to climb on to keep your goats moving and active.
#10. Give Natural Support
While proper nutrition and vaccinations are essential, it is also important to provide natural support for your goats’ health. This includes using herbal remedies or essential oils to prevent and treat common ailments, as well as providing access to clean water and fresh air.
On our farm, we use herbal wormers in our herd and find they work well to keep outbreaks to a minimum.
Do your research and check with your vet before introducing any new herbal routine to your herd.
Taking care of goats can definitely be a bit of a challenge, but honestly, it’s so worth it. The more you learn about their health and how to manage them, the better you’ll get at it—and the easier it becomes. The best advice I can give is this: make your goats’ well-being your top priority.
When they’re healthy and happy, they’ll thrive, and in return, they’ll bring so much joy to your homestead, making all the work to raise them worth it.
