Recommendations for Goat Supplies

[fuzzi]

So, you have, or have had goats...

...in hindsight, what equipment would you not have purchased?

And what would have gotten at the start if you knew then what you know now?

Before I make a list of needs for a future goat herd of two, I'd love to get your recommendations.

I'm already researching fencing, but I am open to suggestions for that, as well.

FYI: I'm in USDA Zone 8a, with a fenced-in backyard on a third acre residential plot, planning on having small goats to keep the vines and weedy growth from consuming my yard.

Thanks in advance.

 

[animalmom]

Spend the money and don't, I beg you, don't use welded wire. We made that mistake and for a few years it was fine, but now it seems like I am constantly fixing where the welds break. Good thing I have wee goaties.

 

[Mini Horses]

With only 2, not much you need on hand. . With 40, it's more of an option.

So, some general things.

A thermometer....absolutely!!!
A roll of vet wrap.
Antibiotic spray...like bactine.
Wound cleaner.
Baking soda.
A couple syringes with needles.
A tube of dewormer.


So, just for a tummy ache, slight wound.....very basic. Most of this you'll have in the house already.
If sick, with temp, you'll need something like penicillin, or oxytet. But until then, nope. Like most with several head, I keep things that "one of them " would need more probably than just 2 pampered ones.

At least, that's how I'd approach it.

 

[fuzzi]

With only 2, not much you need on hand. . With 40, it's more of an option.

So, some general things.

A thermometer....absolutely!!!
A roll of vet wrap.
Antibiotic spray...like bactine.
Wound cleaner.
Baking soda.
A couple syringes with needles.
A tube of dewormer.


So, just for a tummy ache, slight wound.....very basic. Most of this you'll have in the house already.
If sick, with temp, you'll need something like penicillin, or oxytet. But until then, nope. Like most with several head, I keep things that "one of them " would need more probably than just 2 pampered ones.

At least, that's how I'd approach it.

This is very helpful.

Rectal thermometer?

 

[Ridgetop]

Are yu planning to milk these goats or are they pets? If milkers you will need more equipment for milking chores. If pets, jst the basics are all you need.

 

[Mini Horses]

Yes, rectal.
None of the new, one second, in the ear, on the forehead digital stuff.

 

[fuzzi]

Are yu planning to milk these goats or are they pets? If milkers you will need more equipment for milking chores. If pets, jst the basics are all you need.

I'm planning to start with just browsers, pets, maybe an older dry doe and a wether that needs a home.

I did milk a friend's Nubian but that was over 30 years ago.

 

[EweAreKiddingMe!]

They love having things to climb on, look on craigslist for old wheels, wooden pallets, and tree trunks make sure to give them vitamin E and selenium so they do not get white muscle disease

 

[rachels.haven]

Get a nice hay feeder. Tater red feeder and feed inside work. Hay bags are a waste of money. X-tuff feeders from premier 1 are okay too. Get a nice drench syringe even before you have the drugs, just to have. Milk pails without a rolled edge. Nice hoof trimmers to save your hands and their hooves-few things worse than a tool that looks up to the task but isn't and botches the job and takes your hands with it. Nice hay-no grain can compensate for poor forage and focus on just feeding nice, soft hay and clean water. If you can't get alfalfa include some alfalfa pellets and if you must feed grain, just use a little. If your hay is high enough protein they don't need that grain to stay on weight and fight off parasites. Get less, but get nice-get once!
Get one nice wood milk stand and copy it if you need more. One stand really helps with trimming hooves.
(one word of advice: when they're babies they're super vulnerable to parasites. Once they hit a point between 1-2 they become solid. Aim to wait to breed around that point, otherwise you will for sure be worming mom before and after kidding, and probably more)

 

[fuzzi]

Thank you, thank you!