1. General.
Some people raise goats for the meat, some for the milk (dairy goats) and some, like 4-H or FFA youth, raise them for exhibition.
Goats have 60 chromosomes and sheep have 54. Although uncommon, fertile goat-sheep crosses have been reported. Another difference is feeding behavior. Sheep feed at ground level, goats feed on shrubs, bushes and trees. Goats have erect tails and beards where sheep don’t have either. Female goats are called does; sheep, ewes. Male goats are called bucks; sheep, rams. The goat young are called kids; sheep, lambs.
Goats may be raised as purebreds for breeding, milking and fiber and as crossbreds, usually for meat. Some of the purebred dairy breeds are Alpine, LaMancha, Oberhasli, Saane and the Toggenburg. Some of the meat breeds are the Boer, Nubian (really a dual-purpose breed) Pygmy, the Spanish and Tennessee Stifflegged Brush Goats (not really a recognized breed). Fiber breeds include the Angora and the Cashmere.
2. Selection.
A. Purebreds. Select according to their particular purpose (milk or fiber). Breeders should provide information on sire, dam, date of birth and immunizations; purebreds can usually be shown for more than two years.
B. Meat Goats. Select on structural correctness, muscle, volume and capacity, style and balance, and growth potential.
(1) Structural Correctness. The goat should move and stand wide and straight on both front and rear legs, and the legs should be placed squarely under the body. Look for a strong level top and a long rump with a slight slope from hooks to pins. Animal should be heavy boned and strong on its pasterns.
(2) Muscle. The goat should have a broad, thick back and loin that is naturally firm and hard handling; wide through its chest floor, with bold shoulders and prominent forearm muscle.
(3) Volume and Capacity. Goats should be long-bodied, with adequate depth and spring of rib.
(4) Growth Potential. Look for larger-framed goats that show long heads, necks, cannon bones and bodies; these animals will grow faster, be larger and be more competitive.
3. Basic equipment.
Buckets, feed troughs, water reservoir, collar, small linked chain, curry comb and brushes for exhibition purposes.
4. Pen & Shelter.
House goats in a dry, well-ventilated but draft-free facility. An adjoining pen or lot is recommended and should be well-drained, enclosed by a well-built fence and provide shade and space for exercise. A 10 ft by 12 ft pen provides adequate space for 5 goats.
5. Feeding.
Goats can eat 4-7 pounds of dry matter for every 100 pounds of body weight. Provide a year-round supply of roughage, such as pasture, browse or well-cured hay. Milking, breeding and young stock need a daily portion of legume hay. In addition, especially for exhibition, goats should be given a balanced grain ration which provides 11-14% protein for the growing animal. A mineral supplement and plenty of fresh water complete the feeding requirements. Pregnant does and weaned kids should be vaccinated for overeating disease. Under normal conditions, meat goats can gain 2 to 3 lbs per week. Large-frame meat goats may be correctly finished at 120 lbs, while small-frame goats may be correctly finished at 80 lbs.
6. Disease/Parasite Control.
Goats, as with all livestock, should be checked routinely for signs of unthriftiness, rough hair coat, reduced weight, poor appetite, diarrhea, etc. Thiabendazole or other recommended medications should be used for treatment of worms.
7. Fitting for Show.
The 4-H or FFA youth raising goats for exhibition should fit his/her animal for show. This includes removing the horns at the “bud” stage (market goats are exhibited without horns); getting to know the animal with regular brushing and by holding its collar or using a small-linked chain to lead and pose; keeping the hair clean and clipped, especially the long hair on the back and flanks; and trimming the hooves if necessary.
8. Records.
To become good managers of their projects, 4-H or FFA youth should record important information about their goats, to include birth date, weight, breed, tag number, feeding, and disease control.
Prepared by: Kenneth Spoto, Ph.D., County Agent, East/West Feliciana Parishes 9/87, 9/01, 3/05