John Thompson Extension Agent VCE Fluvanna Adapted from: SUSAN SCHOENIAN Sheep & Goat Specialist Western Maryland Research & Education Center –

 Sec Definitions.  Miniature goat means a goat weighing less than one hundred (100) pounds, commonly known as pygmy, dwarf or miniature goats.  Sec Fowl at large.  It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any chickens, ducks, geese, pigeons or other fowl belonging to him to go at large in the city; except, that homing pigeons may be released for return to their cote without violating this section  ( (2))

 Sec Keeping hogs, goats and sheep.  (a) No hogs, goats (other than miniature goats) or sheep shall be kept in the city except for immediate shipment or slaughter.  (b) Miniature goats may be kept within any residential zoning district in the city, subject to the following:

 (1) Males must be neutered;  (2) Goats must be dehorned;  (3) No more than three (3) miniature goats may be kept at the same time on the same property, except that nursing off-spring may be kept on the property until the age of twelve (12) weeks, and shall not be included in the number of goats allowed.

 Introduction  Sheep and goat enterprises  Info to raise sheep/goats

 Monogastric ◦ Simple stomach ◦ Pigs and poultry (and people)  Ruminant ◦ Cud-chewing ◦ 4 compartment stomach. - Cows, sheep, and goats ◦ Pseudo-ruminant (3 compartment stomach) - Alpacas and llamas  Hind-gut fermenter ◦ Fermentation occurs in the caecum and/or large intestine ◦ Horses and rabbits

 Economic ◦ Profit ◦ Tax advantages  Lifestyle  Self-sufficiency produce own food, fiber  Landscape management

 Less acreage required  Less investment  Ease of handling  Multi-purpose  Reproductive efficiency  Grazing behavior  Niche demand for products  Complement other farm enterprises

 Small industry.  Lack of infrastructure.  Lack of mainstream demand for products.  Fencing requirements.  Labor requirements.  Predator risk.

 Similar production practices and inputs.  Same diseases.  Similar niche and ethnic demand for products.  Similar constraints to production: the 3 P’s. ◦ Prices ◦ Predators ◦ Parasites

SHEEPGOATS  Grazer  Prefer forbs  Graze close to ground  Grow faster  Produce better milk  More genetic diversity  Strong flocking instinct and group mentality  Traditional enterprise  Browser  Prefer shrubs  Top-down grazer  Grow slow  Produce more milk  Less genetic diversity  Curious and independent  New and growing industry

 Meat  Dairy  Fiber  Landscape management  Agri-tourism

 Primary income is from the sale of milk, cheese, and/or other dairy products.  In Virginia, operation must be certified grade A to sell food products.  Usually requires own product development and marketing.

 Feed  Fencing  Housing and shelter  Feeders  Watering system  Labor

 Pasture and browse  Hay  Grain  Alternative feedstuffs

 Purpose ◦ To keep livestock contained ◦ To keep predators out ◦ To control grazing and manage livestock  Three kinds 1.Perimeter or boundary 2.Interior or cross 3.Heavy use areas

 Multi-strand, high- tensile, electric.  Woven wire with extra barbed and electric offset wires.  Barbed wire  Adapt existing fences.

 Permanent  Semi-permanent  Temporary, electric ◦ Smooth wire ◦ Polywire, tape, or rope ◦ Electric netting

 Outdoor lots  Holding areas  Working corrals  Net wire  Metal gates  Solid panels  Livestock panels  Non-electric

 Purpose ◦ Animal management ◦ Isolation area ◦ Feed storage ◦ Equipment storage ◦ Human comfort  Needs vary by ◦ Climate ◦ Production system ◦ Timing of lambing and kidding ◦ Availability of natural shelter. ◦ Personal preference

 Maybe not, but if they have access to it, they will usually use it.  They “appreciate” protection from bad weather.

 Ample feed storage protects your investment in feed and allows you to make bulk purchases.  Annual hay requirements ◦ ¼ to ⅓ ton per animal  Hay storage ◦ 180 to 240 ft 3 per ton  Uncovered hay deteriorates rapidly in quality.

 Hand ◦ Buckets ◦ Troughs ◦ Tanks ◦ Tubs  Automatic waterer  Possible cost share from NRCS (EQUIP program) for pasture watering systems.

 Daily care of animals  Twice daily milking  Annual shearing  Pasture management  Lambing and kidding  Parasite control  Hoof trimming

 ADGA recognized ◦ Swiss  Saanen  Alpine  Toggenburg  Oberhasli ◦ Nubian ◦ La Mancha ◦ Nigerian Dwarf  Other ◦ Sable (colored Saanens) ◦ Golden Guernsey ◦ Mini dairy goats Saanen La Mancha Oberhasli Nubian Toggenbur g Alpine

 Pygmy (meat)  Nigerian Dwarf (dairy)  Kinder Pygmy x Nubian  Mini Silky Myotonic x Nigerian Dwarf ?  Mini dairy goats Nigerian Dwarf x standard dairy Pygmy Nigerian Dwarf

 Get pastures and facilities ready before buying your first sheep or goats.  Start small and gradually increase size of herd.  Start with healthy animals. ◦ Ewe lambs/doelings vs. mature females.  Ram and buck?!

 Reputable breeders  Dispersal sales  Performance and production sales  Consignment sales  Local salebarn  Free