How do you weigh goats?

[porkchop48]

Is there a way to weigh goats other than picking them up and weighing them?

 

[SheepGirl]

You could get a livestock scale ($800+) or you can get a winch stand with a scale attachment ($350+). Or you can get a scale made for extra large dogs ($150+).

Or, depending on the size of the goat, you can pick them up and stand on a regular bathroom scale, note the weight, weigh yourself, and then subtract your weight from the weight with the goat.

 

[jmsim93]

You could get a livestock scale ($800+) or you can get a winch stand with a scale attachment ($350+). Or you can get a scale made for extra large dogs ($150+).

Or, depending on the size of the goat, you can pick them up and stand on a regular bathroom scale, note the weight, weigh yourself, and then subtract your weight from the weight with the goat.

This is what I do and it works fine. Of course I have mini's...would hate to do that with a boer!!!

 

[porkchop48]

Ok looks like I will be just guessing on their weight.

 

[Cabinchick]

Big R (like TSC) carries a goat tape. It's like a measuring tape that you wrap around the goat, and it gives you the weight. Never used it, have no idea how accurate they are, just saw them the other day
Good luck!!

 

[DKRabbitry]

My DH picked up an old grain scale at an auction for me last summer. It works grrrrreat.... as long as you can get your goat to stand on it LOL

 

[Roll farms]

TSC also carries that tape.

But that tape's pretty much useless w/ boer goats. Different breeds have different heart girths, and I've seen it be off by as much as 10# w/ full grown dairy goats. Better than nothing, though.

Just don't 'guess' if you're using a drug that can kill, you'd be amazed how wrong you can be sometimes.

 

[ksalvagno]

Also, if you underdose dewormer, you will just build up resistance. Antibiotics are another thing that shouldn't be underdosed as that can also lead to resistance.

 

[Queen Mum]

It is more accurate to measure girth and length and do the math than to use a weight tape. (Heart girth X heart girth) x Length (from front of chest to butt) and divide that by 300.

The problem with the weight tape is that it doesn't factor in the length of the animal which can vary the weight significantly. And it doesn't consider the roundness of the animal in the length which also affects the weight (as in Boer goats)