10 Things I Wish I Had Known Before Buying Goats
If you're considering raising goats, you might think it's a simple and straightforward process. However, there are many things to consider before bringing these charming and quirky animals onto your property. In this video, I share my top 10 tips for new goat owners, based on my personal experiences and lessons learned.
From understanding their dietary needs and shelter requirements to managing their happiness and behavior, I cover a variety of topics to help you avoid common mistakes and set yourself up for success. Whether you're starting a small hobby farm or aiming for a commercial operation, these tips will give you a head start in your goat ownership journey.
Watch this video to learn more about the challenges and rewards of raising goats, and discover the 10 things I wish I had known before getting goats. Don't make the same mistakes I did - learn from my experience and make the most of your goat ownership adventure!
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0:00 Intro
0:31 Fencing
3:18 Feed Corral
4:16 Quality Goats
5:05 Networking & Learning
6:15 Entertainment
7:01 Shelter
8:45 Minerals & Supplements
9:42 Rotational Grazing & Sectioned Pastures
10:40 Hay & Hay Feeders
11:56 Plan Ahead
13:32 Recap
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BlueResidoo@gmail.com
This was an excellent video. No ego or I know it all from the instructor. Just well presented experience. I wish others would watch this presentation as an example. Well done Sir.
Thank you for the kind words! It means a lot and we’re hoping to continue bringing this type of info to our channel.
Great list. A couple other things I've learned and wish I knew early on... 1. Goats will get sick and you'll probably deal with abandoned babies. Have emergency supplies on hand - dewormer, drenching gun, colostrum & milk replacer, bottle. You touch on it a little in 'learning & networking' and I'd break this out separately. When a goat is going south with worms, you need to have a dewormer on hand and know how to drench - you don't want to be learning on the spot. Same goes for the orphaned baby that unfortunately happens from time to time - need to be ready to go with milk replacer. 2. Predator control. Understand what works and what doesn't. I started with donkeys, and they were okay but became clear they were ineffective at night when the coyote pressure was highest. I switched to LGDs and wish I had known to do that from the beginning. 3. Know the market. If raising goats is a hobby for someone then understanding the goat market is not a big deal. But if you're trying to make money from goats, it's important to know where you're going to sell them and understand the seasonal market trends. 4. Cull. Goes with your 'quality goats' topic. Inevitably you'll buy a not-so-great goat or two, especially when new to goats and not sure what to look for. Keep records, identify the underperformers - the ones that get sick often, bad mothering instincts, birthing problems, etc - and get rid of them. Keep an eye on the rock stars of your herd and keep their female offspring back when you get ready to switch out for a new billy. Expand your herd with those genetics.
What are LGD’s?
@@MFaith777 Livestock Guardian Dogs.
Nice video. We use the netted electric fence instead of a more permanent fence. Mainly because its flexible and the goats respect it. I also live in the PNW and my goats have browsing access to shrubs, blackberry bushes and trees so their needs are a bit different. I think a valuable step to add would be to research your environment and how goats will work within it. Due to the amount of options my goats have for food I do not need to feed them and moving them strategically ensures that the property always grows back what they need.
I have that flexible electric netting too. I had barbed wire fencing for cattle which was put in by the previous farmer, and tried 3 strands of electrified ribbon with stand-offs from the posts. Still had escapees. But the netting, even that which is sold for chickens, has been brilliant. They really respect it. Zero escapees after more than a year, and I'm on hilly country. In Australia I don't have to worry about predators. The electric netting is about $AU 300 for 50 metres on eBay, and I've been buying 200 metres at I time as the clearing expands (I only have 4 goats and 6 sheep which I'm using to re-clear thick secondary-growth bush from 5 acres...I use a brush-cutter to clear the fence-line, put up the fencing which is very quick, a couple of hours, and let the animals in. The netting fences obviously won't last 20 years like a permanent wire installation, but man, it is working brilliantly, I don't have to worry that the goats are out pissing off my neighbours any more.
Use your local feed store whenever possible. Tractor Supply is trash.
Keep in mind that a fence that will hold goats will hold water.
😂😂
The same kind of fence that is good at herding cats.
Solid practical advice.... point by point , well done done. Very helpful....
I had my goats trained to stand in the same place in the barn at feeding time. I then attached their collars to a chain and measured out a bowl for each one. It's worth it because this way you get to make sure the smaller goats get their share of feed. Unfortunately, I developed tremors and can't hook them up easily, but the old system was much better than using troughs. I have lots of trees for shade and browse. Grass grows better if it doesn't get the hot afternoon sun, and the goats prefer young trees. If you are prone to drought, shading the grass in the afternoon with trees is a must. Then I installed a septic system that recycles the dirty water and releases it with sprinklers. I put in double the recommended number of sprinklers to water a large area. I lock up the goats at night due to wandering dogs. I have livestock guardian dogs, but I don't want to take a chance atnight. Mesquite pods are an excellent feed, if you have the right growing conditions.
Great video very informative. Straight forward tips that anybody can do and understand.
A Honest man.... apreciate it very much....
Excellent video. Great advice
Well made video, very easy to understand tips. I'm in the networking phase and found a lot of good info. Only problem thus far is the quality goats. So many scammers and so few breeders. Looking in Carter county Kentucky area.
You are absolutely spot on, with your fence. We also wish, we had bigger gates. 😂
Great idea about the hay bails.
Great video, we are looking into having goats and preparing our property for them. We have been doing the observation of our neighbors with goats and lots of questions. This video is a keeper!
Stay tuned because we have several more videos with goat tips and tricks on the way!
Truly the best advice I have heard. Thank you sir
Glad you enjoyed the video. We have tons of goat videos coming soon so check back with us!
That was the best video I have seen yet on goats 101!!! Thank you for all of the information. We are considering goats at this time. So thank you!
Thank you for those kind words. Stay tuned because we have several videos in the working covering many different goat topics!
I agree! This was so informative!
Very useful. Many thanks.
Our pleasure! We have many more planned and in the works. Have a great day!
Great info. I am not ready for goats! Lol. Good to know. There was this great article I read once that was called "Beware of the free goat". It was hilarious
They aren’t too bad once you get the hang of it! There’s no such thing as a free goat 😂
Wow...very informative video! I appreciate all of the information since we're buying a farm on 40 acres and the owner is leaving their goats. This helps ease my nerves of caring for them.
They should be no problem. Start doing a little research now like I mentioned in the video and it’ll make it much easier!
Excellent presentation 🐐
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed
Great vid
I’ve had goats since 10 years old and 72 now, will keep them tell I die and friends help me now
Location matters more than anything. Then breeding. Then protection for livestock and containment of nature's most intelligent herd animal. You'd be lucky to get 20 years from any fence. Find Alma Bode's book, Alma spent more time raising goats than most people have been alive.
What did you kill/ spray your grass around your fence line with?
very interesting tips . I was hoping you would comment on a housing structure for goats especially when it rains consistently . My understanding is that goats dont like wet environment and should not graze immediately after it rains to eliminate worm loads and hoof rot . Please comment . I want to rear goats but will consider grazing for some and cut and carry for some . Your thoughts
My goats graze right after the rain and I have seen no harm from it. If you keep the goats hoofs trimmed, hoof rot will not be a problem. I check my goats hoofs once a month ideally. Sometimes it’s as long as three months but they are still fine after that amount of time. Goats do best grazing and browsing. They prefer to eat leaves and shrubs but will eat grass too. We have several videos coming out soon about goat health and best practices so be sure to subscribe so you can watch along. Goats are a good bit of work but it is very rewarding.
@@blueresidoo what's so rewarding about goats? And why goats and not sheep?
Goats vs sheep? Goats are a tougher animal, especially cashmere or similar goats. Some dairy Goats, not as much. Kidding issues are rare to nonexistent, hoof and structural issues are rare. Prolapse is rare. Goats have wider range of feed tolerance and can browse on weeds and scrub that cause problems with sheep or cattle. They have a greater enzyme range for digesting scrub and are a browser, vs grazer which means they will eat young branches, leaves and weeds in preference to grass. They are easily trainable, with an intelligence level similar to a dog. They can be trained as a pack goat, pull a cart or any number of other tasks often left to horses and donkeys. A goat can carry nearly half of its body weight. They are fun. They can be run ferally, as in Mongolia, and require little care, but they do so well make sure you have a.) A base herd penned to bring them back and your goats are trained to recall. b.) Livestock guardian dogs that will stay with your herd and deter predators. I had my herd in the Rocky Mountains with predators of mountain lion, bear, coyote, eagles, and bobcats. With fogs, I had zero losses, but keeping and training LSGD is another skillset.
Can I use solar powered electric poultry netting for goats by chance? We need to use a mobile fence.
I’ve seen it be used with goats that were “trained” on it from an early age. I think if you feel your goats are mild tempered and there won’t be many things to spook them (traffic, dogs/predators) I would say give it a shot. Be sure to check all of your voltages to be sure you’re getting the maximum deterrent. (Battery, Panel output, grounding, fence) Best of luck!
excellent vid. i would like to see a vid that tells how much in acreage you need for one goat, also how much does one goat sell for? also goats vs. sheep. goats seem to be the ticket for the kudzu problem and other invasive species. and goat meat is getting more popular. i think i've seen a few vids. on that subject. it's a very interesting topic.
You bring up several great topics. Stay tuned because we are working on several videos covering some of those exact topics. Once I sell my last goat kid, I am going to make a video going over how much I’ve made so far in 2023 selling goats. Don’t wanna miss that one!
Acreage needed varies widely depending on the climate and quality of pasture/browse. While some areas can handle 1 animal unit per acre, others can require 50 acres per animal unit. Rotational grazing allows more animal units. An animal unit is generally considered 1000# of animal. Talk with your local extension office about what your area can handle.
Good grief! Get onto your regional department of Agriculture and get expertise.
I’m surprised billy that has a temper is so calm around you goat whisperer
I would love to get a goats for my back garden!
I think you would enjoy them. Stay tuned, we have tons of goat videos coming! Everything from hoof trimming to favorite foods!
is there anything that gives goats a tummy ache? i know its a stereotype that they can eat anything but i've always been curious if theres stuff we should keep them from eat or make sure they only eat in moderation.
Azalea bush will kill a goat within a few minutes. Do not ever let them eat the leaves off of an azalea bush.
I've heard that a female donkey (a "Jenny") makes an excellent guard animal and will keep the herd safe from coyotes and other predators.
How much voltage?
240v. 10 joule output.
@@blueresidoo kool
Why did you decide to raise goats and how profitable are they for you?
I wanted livestock but did not want big animals like cows so I chose goats. We have a video coming out within the next few weeks talking about how much I’ve made in 2023 so far selling goats, so stay tuned for that!
Seems like getting goats really got your goat 🐐 😂
You aren’t wrong! 😂
Wire for chickens Rails for horses Concrete for pigs and the goats will still get out The only way to keep goats in an enclosure is to make them want to stay in more than they want out.
That may have been true 30 years ago, but with modern electric fence chargers and welded fence wire, keeping a goat in is really not that difficult. People are quick to blame the goat but more times than not the problem lies in the fence.
My big takeaway is watching your goats graze. I've seen more videos tell me that goats aren't grazers. Thanks!
They do graze if there isn’t any forage available.
Why do you buy goats, i want some when I get my own life and I enjoy goats I wouldn’t mind selling a couple goats to students in ffa like do goats profit you?
I bought them to clear a pasture and to sell for profit. Also, my wife likes to watch them and we just enjoy having them around.
Maybe some football pads for thighs?😂
Set up a camera & watch a fox go thru that fence at full run 🙄 and watch a coyote hurdle it like a deer,, 🤨
I've never had a goat that would eat acorns
Very interesting, all of mine tend to love them. Do you know what type of oak trees you have?
@Blue Residoo yes different oaks have different amounts of tannin
White oaks are more edible
pests lol