Goats

They need a good sized outdoor enclosure with a strong fence, which needs to be high enough to stop them jumping over, and strong enough to stop dogs from digging through (both dogs and pythons will kill and eat goats). This enclosure should have platforms or rocks so the goats can climb and jump around on. Trees for shade are important but you must protect the trunks or the goats will strip the bark and kill the tree. Goats enjoy a tree with low overhanging branches as they will stand on their hind legs and stretch up to nibble on any leaves within reach.

Goats should not be kept singly as they are social creatures, two males will normally fight so either 2 females or castrated males and one or more females is ideal.

A solid house to protect them from wind and rain is essential. The floor of the house should be smooth and easy to clean to prevent the build-up of parasites. You must regularly clean poo from the enclosure to prevent the build-up of parasites.

Clean fresh water must be available in the enclosure daily.

Diet

Goats are not grazers like cows, they are browsers, which means they prefer to eat the leaves of trees and bushes. Hay can be used for a base diet, along with branches cut from deciduous trees.

They are very fussy animals and will not eat what they consider to be dirty. A rack should be used to hold their feed up off the ground otherwise they will not eat it. Another alternative to buy a horse ‘hay net’, this can be filled with hay and hung from a tree. Goats that have to eat their food form the ground will develop parasite problems.

If you need to purchase large quantities of hay you can call your local horse riding school and ask if they will sell you a whole bale. This is much cheaper than buying hay packed for rabbits from a pet shop.

Goats will happily eat plants which are poisonous therefore it is important to avoid evergreen trees, and many garden plants. If you keep goats in your garden do not assume that they can just eat the grass, supplementary food in the way of hay and browse must be provided.

Check carefully before offering new foods, and always make changeovers slowly.

Bread, biscuits, chicken feed, and grains are all unsuitable; the goat will not have a healthy gut and will run a high risk of developing bladder stones. This can easily kill male goats.

Health Care

Parasites are a common problem, both worms and lice. You will need veterinary advice to help deal with these.  Injuries can easily lead to fly strike (maggots) and must be quickly attended to.