Cost of owning goats

[moonstone5879]

I can totally see myself wanting more animals after I get a pair of ND but luckily I don't have the space or money for any more than that. As it is I am gonna have some extra costs for food, vet visits, milk replacer (in case of emergencies), and other kittening supplies in the next few months I am just crossing my fingers that her pregnancy and labor and delivery go wonderfully without any complications and that she doesn't have any issues nursing either!!!

 

[KinderKorner]

It's about $250 a goat here a year. I think.

That for testing, hay, grain, shots, wormer.

Any vet bills is on top of that. So it might be $0 or it might be $500.

Not too bad with 2 goats...

But like others have said.

I remember when I just had one goat....

Now It's over 30. I've lost cost. And I'm always increasing.

Honestly though. My goats have 2+ babies on average. At $200+ each baby, You can make nearly double profit on each goat. With no milking or anything.

Although something always happens, it seems. They don't get bred, or they get sick, or whatever. So just be aware it won't always work out like it does on paper. But it's a good thought.

Overall I think my goats make a profit each year.

But if you count in the high cost of fencing, and supplies. Maybe I haven't broke even yet. I don't really keep track anymore.

My hay here is $4 a bale around 50lbs . Which is feel is high. I just bought some Alfalfa for $6 a bale and about peed myself. I remember hay at $2 a bale just a few years ago. The drought has struck even the midwest hay country.

 

[Vannahrain]

I had two goats--once.

Feeding? Hmmm, probably a bale of hay every week to two weeks. Depending on what you get, that'll cost $5 to $10. Goat feed? Maybe a bag a month? $15 to $30? I feed sweet feed with 14% protein, so that's about $13.99 for a 50 lb bag. Goat minerals and salt -- maybe $10-$20 bag? That'll last fairly long.

Regular care items like hoof trimmers -- about $20. You'll need a stanchion to care for and milk your does -- build one and you'll spend maybe $50. Vaccinations, dewormers and other health items? Maybe $50 or so total. Other things like disbudders, castrators, and OB products will cost more. Milk pails, strainers, etc, can be pricey. Check out Caprine Supply, Hoeggers or Valley Vet under Goat stuff.

I found your response very helpful because I too am trying to figure out what the monthly costs will be to raise 2 Nigerian dwarf does for milk! I do have one question, however. When you say about $50 or so total for vaccinations, dewormers, and other health items, do you mean $50/month? Also, I am new to goats and am wondering what vaccinations/dewormers are necessary for NDs or just goats in general. We don't have any pasture and are hoping to be able to keep them with our chickens in a large yard. Will those factors make any difference in what we need to give them?
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer!

 

[SheepGirl]

I had two goats--once.

Feeding? Hmmm, probably a bale of hay every week to two weeks. Depending on what you get, that'll cost $5 to $10. Goat feed? Maybe a bag a month? $15 to $30? I feed sweet feed with 14% protein, so that's about $13.99 for a 50 lb bag. Goat minerals and salt -- maybe $10-$20 bag? That'll last fairly long.

Regular care items like hoof trimmers -- about $20. You'll need a stanchion to care for and milk your does -- build one and you'll spend maybe $50. Vaccinations, dewormers and other health items? Maybe $50 or so total. Other things like disbudders, castrators, and OB products will cost more. Milk pails, strainers, etc, can be pricey. Check out Caprine Supply, Hoeggers or Valley Vet under Goat stuff.

I found your response very helpful because I too am trying to figure out what the monthly costs will be to raise 2 Nigerian dwarf does for milk! I do have one question, however. When you say about $50 or so total for vaccinations, dewormers, and other health items, do you mean $50/month? Also, I am new to goats and am wondering what vaccinations/dewormers are necessary for NDs or just goats in general. We don't have any pasture and are hoping to be able to keep them with our chickens in a large yard. Will those factors make any difference in what we need to give them?
Thanks so much for taking the time to answer!

For vaccinations/dewormers/other health items, it would probably be $50 per year, if that. You can buy a 25-dose bottle of CD/T (the smallest size) for about $7 or $8 and you can buy a pack of 100 needles and syringes for about $20. That would last you foreverrrr. And because you are going to be dry lotting them essentially, they shouldn't have any worm issues so you shouldn't need to buy dewormers for them at all. Except for maybe one dose for each goat of each class of dewormer so you don't bring any worms onto your property (see about getting this from your vet so you don't have to spend $60-$70 per bottle and then pen your goats up in a small pen for a month or two for quarantine before exposing them and their germs to your clean/untouched yard).

 

[BlondeSquirrel04]

And don't forget emergencies...

I had a goat kid lose an eye to the tune of $1,200.

If you want goats just to have goats, then go for it. But if you want them to start a bath and body business, the market is already over saturated BIG TIME.