Tips on keeping goats…
Hello friends and happy new year! Many volunteers and visitors at Lucky Glider Ranch have expressed an interest in goats and their care. Here are some things we’ve learned over the years if you are contemplating getting goats as pets.
Fun Facts:
- Goats are gregarious and friendly if they are treated with respect and loving care. They behave a lot like dogs – but with horns! They love to be scratched and petted and can be demanding when it comes to attention.
- Contrary to popular belief, goats do NOT eat everything and anything. They love grasses, hay and even poison ivy. The are “browsers” and will forage for food where they can find it. But they don’t eat trash or tin cans!
- Goats love to vocalize. You can hear them, grunt, whine, and even scream if they are hurt. They will let out an alarm “snort” if they sense danger or hear something they are not familiar with.
Goat Care Tips
Fencing. Goats are escape artists, so be sure to use proper fencing and enclosures. The best kind of fencing is metal goat and sheep “no climb” fencing strung up on t-posts. The spacing of the holes is small enough that they don’t get their horns stuck and it’s durable enough that they cannot knock the fencing over.
Wethering. Males should be neutered by your veterinarian or else they will multiply like crazy. If your bucks do father kids, then you’ll want to get them wethered to avoid inbreeding and aggression.
Supplements. Ammonium Chloride should be mixed in to their water supply to avoid urinary calculi – a condition common amongst wethered bucks that may lead to burst bladders. You should also de-worm them three or four times a year. You should also administer subcutaneous CDT inoculations at least once a year. Leave a salt and mineral block out for them close to their water.
Trimming. Goats need their hooves trimmed two or three times a year. It is not healthy for them to have long hooves because it can cripple them. You can get clippers from Premier1 Supplies for about twenty dollars.
We welcome visitors and volunteers at Lucky Glider Ranch and especially during colder months because it takes longer to get chores done in the winter. If you don’t have time, but still want to help, you are welcome to Donate. We are a 501(c)3 public charity / non-profit organization. This means all donations are tax deductible.
Stay tuned for more on what’s going on at the ranch. If you have questions on the content of this blog feel free to contact us at any time. Thanks for tuning in to the Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary blog.
Visit our website to learn more about our animal care tips!
We welcome visitors and volunteers at Lucky Glider Ranch and especially during colder months because it takes longer to get chores done in the winter. Contact us to find out more about our volunteer opportunities!
If you don’t have time, but still want to help, you are welcome to Donate. We are a 501(c)3 public charity / non-profit organization. This means all donations are tax deductible.
Stay tuned for more on what’s going on at the ranch. If you have questions on the content of this blog feel free to contact us at any time. Thanks for tuning in to Lucky Glider Rescue & Sanctuary
