Goats

Critter Chat Goats
With the increasing popularity in owning a goat as a pet we thought it might be a good time to provide some information on providing the best possible care for your goat.

Goats are and should be a low maintenance animal to own and are popular in the area as four legged lawn mowers. If you are considering getting a goat, it is important to realise they are herd animals and so are easier pets if they have another goat for company, sometimes one just ain’t enough!

Goats require suitable fencing, adequate shelter from the weather and a sturdy water container (ie one they can’t knock over if they stand on it) . Fencing needs to be at least 1200mm high and be made of a good quality material to ensure no predators get in and no goats get out! Some larger goat herds have a guard dog (usually a Maremma) live amongst the herd or close by to protect the herd from predators, as attack from wild dogs can be a real problem.

For those of you that are hoping to cut down on mowing time by getting goats, keep in mind that they are not going to achieve a bowling green-like finish. Goats are selective grazes and happily eat grass and shrubs and are useful to keep a lot of the native suckers under control, but be aware that with inadequate fencing they will also sort out your vege patche and prize rosebushes! Not to mention climbing on your car…

With respects to supplementing your goats feed - it depends on your property and what feed you have on it. Most of the native grasses in this area are low in protein, particularly if your goats are pregnant or lactating, and if the grass has dried off. So monitor your goats for any weight loss, and supplement with a high protein feed if neccesary. It is also worth considering a mineral supplement block to ensure they are getting all the correct nutrients, as the local soils are often found to be mineral deficient. Use a horse mineral block as opposed to cattle (ie. without urea).

Just like other animals, goats require regular drenching (worming). Every 6 weeks is recommended and kids can be wormed from 6 weeks of age. Our area is prone to a dangerous internal gut parasite called barbers pole worm, that can cause a life threatening aneamia, so ensure you purchase the correct drenching solution that covers that particular worms adults and juvenile forms - ask at the clinic for clarification if neccesary.

So we hope this helps a bit with those of you with goats, and we wish you all happy boating… I mean goating (?).