🐐 Getting Started with Goats
If you’re looking to take the next step in your homesteading journey, goats are a popular—and often hilarious—addition to your small farm. From fresh milk to brush control to the simple joy of their personalities, goats can be both practical and endearing.
This guide will walk you through the basics of raising goats: what you need, which breeds to choose, and how to care for them with confidence.
📦 Why Goats?
Goats are ideal for small homesteads because they’re:
- Compact and manageable compared to cows
- Great for brush clearing and weed control
- Excellent sources of milk, manure, and meat
- Naturally curious and full of personality 🐐
They do require more setup than chickens, but they return the favor in companionship and productivity.
🏡 Fencing & Shelter
Goats are escape artists, so sturdy fencing is a must.
- Use woven wire or cattle panels—minimum 4 feet high
- Avoid electric netting unless it’s hot all the time (they’ll test it!)
- Add a strand of electric wire if you have jumpers or climbers
Shelter can be simple:
- A 3-sided shed works well for most weather
- Ensure dry bedding (straw or pine shavings) and good ventilation
- Protect feed from rain and rodents
Goats hate being wet, so make sure they have a dry place to get out of the rain.
🐐 Choosing the Right Breed
There are two general categories:
- Dairy Goats – produce milk daily; need consistent milking
- Meat Goats – raised for meat or as dual-purpose animals
- Some homesteaders also raise fiber goats (like Angoras) for spinning
Popular breeds for small homesteads:
- 🍼 Nigerian Dwarf – small, sweet, great milk with high butterfat
- 🧼 Mini Nubian – friendly, vocal, lots of milk
- 🍖 Boer Goat – large, fast-growing, ideal for meat
- 🧣 Angora – calm, used for mohair fiber
Start with at least two goats—they’re herd animals and don’t thrive alone.
🥬 Feeding & Care
Goats need more than just pasture.
- Free-choice hay is essential (especially in winter)
- Supplement with minerals—goat-specific mineral blocks or loose
- Avoid overfeeding grain unless milking or growing kids
- Always provide clean water and a secure feeder
Regular care includes:
- 🐾 Hoof trimming every 4–6 weeks
- 🧴 Deworming if needed (based on fecal testing)
- 🧼 Occasional brushing, especially for long-haired breeds
👶 Kidding & Breeding (Optional for Beginners)
If you’re raising goats for milk, you’ll need to breed them.
- Most goats kid once a year, usually in spring
- Gestation is about 150 days
- Milking begins after kidding and continues for 8–10 months
Breeding adds complexity—so many new goat owners buy already-milking does instead of starting with breeding.
⚠️ What to Watch Out For
- Goat bloat – caused by overeating grain or fresh legumes
- Parasites – a major concern; test regularly and rotate pasture
- Fence escapes – it’s not a matter of if, but when 😅
Spending time with your goats daily helps you spot issues early.
🌿 They’re More Than Livestock
Goats add joy and movement to the homestead. You’ll find yourself laughing at their antics one moment and collecting milk the next. They bring rhythm, responsibility, and reward to your daily life.
🪵 Ready to Build a Home for Your Herd?
At Coleman Woodcrafts, we provide lumber for your livestock structures—made from our own locally milled lumber. Whether you’re setting up your first pen or expanding your herd, we’re happy to help you do it beautifully and sustainably.
🐐 Reach out for a quote or check out our past projects for inspiration.
