1. Breeds, Selection, Feeding, and Management of Goats
Chapter 28

2. Objectives Give a brief description of the goat enterprise
List and describe the common breeds of goats
Select quality breeding stock using generally accepted criteria

3. Objectives (cont.) Discuss feeding and management of goats
Describe housing and equipment required for goat production

4. Overview of The Goat Enterprise
Goat populations in U.S. have increased in recent years, struggling to keep up with increased demand
Market popularity has increased due to news about positive health benefits of goat products.
Less caloric and less fat than in beef or chicken

5. Classes of Goats Goats are classified by their products
Dairy
Fiber
Meat
Two minor classifications
Pets/companions
Goatskins

6. Classes of Goats (cont.)
Dairy Goats
Found in every state in the U.S.
Only seven dairy goat breeds common in U.S.
Most kept on small farms
Require less space and are less expensive than dairy cattle
Can be used for meat

7. Classes of Goats (cont.)
Fiber Goats
Three common in U.S.
Angora (most popular, most found in Texas)
Cashmere
Miniature Silky Fainting Goat
Can also be used for meat
Help control weeds
Can be pastured with cattle

8. Classes of Goats (cont.)
Meat Goats
Popularity of goat meat on rise
About 45 breeds can be classified as meat type
Most common in U.S. – Boer, Kiko, Kinder, Myotonic, Pygmy, Savanna, and Spanish

9. Breeds of Goats Dairy Goats Alpine LaMancha Nigerian Dwarf, Nubian
Oberhasli
Saanen and Sable
Toggenburg

10. Breeds of Goats
Dairy Goats
Alpine

11. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Dairy Goats (cont.)
LaMancha

12. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Dairy Goats (cont.)
Nigerian Dwarf

13. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Dairy Goats (cont.)
Nubian

14. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Dairy Goats (cont.)
Oberhasli

15. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Dairy Goats (cont.)
Saanen and Sable

16. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Dairy Goats (cont.)
Toggenburg

17. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Fiber Goats
Angora

18. Breeds of Goats (cont.) Fiber Goats (cont.) Cashmere
Soft down or winter undercoat of fiber produced by most breeds of goats (other than Angora)
Down is soft furry, fine feathery coat of young birds and animals, or undercoat of adult birds, animals
Most comes from China, Afghanistan, Iran, Outer Mongolia, India, Australia, and New Zealand

19. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Meat Goats
Boer

20. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Meat Goats (cont.)
Kiko

21. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Meat Goats (cont.)
Kinder

22. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Meat Goats (cont.)
Myotonic

23. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Meat Goats (cont.)
Pygmy

24. Breeds of Goats (cont.)
Meat Goats (cont.)
Savanna
Spanish

25. Selection of Goats Selection of Dairy Goats
Matter of personal preference
Select goats that indicate good milk production
Scorecards are available that indicate desirable traits for judging dairy goats
Production records and pedigrees can be valuable in selection

26. Selection of Goats (cont.)
Selection of Dairy Goats (cont.)

27. Selection of Goats (cont.)
Selection of Fiber Goats
Judged on basis of body and fleece
Body – breed type, conformation, bone, constitution and vigor, size, weight, age
Fleece – fineness, uniformity, completeness of covering, oil content, luster, density, and character
Balance between body and fleece a must

28. Selection of Goats (cont.)
Selection of Meat Goats
Examine health, appearance, pedigree, and performance data
Evaluation competitions becoming more popular
Meat goat evaluation now part of National FFA Livestock Judging Career Development Event

29. Feeding Goats Feeding Dairy Goats
Roughages with grains added if needed
Commercial protein concentrates
Home-mixed feeds
Minerals, vitamins, salt, and water are essential
Pasture or hay

30. Feeding Goats (cont.) Feeding Fiber Goats
Wide variety of brush, weeds, and grass
Additional feed in winter
Guajillo and live oak are excellent
Pelleted feeds and roughages
20 percent protein range cubes
Shelled yellow corn

31. Feeding Goats (cont.) Feeding Meat Goats
Similar to feeding fiber goats
Some require more protein and energy
Best way to add protein is with a protein supplement
Most needs are met through pasture or rangeland

32. Management of Goats Managing Dairy Goats Seasonal breeders
Keep buck separate from doe during milking season
Bucks need exercise to avoid becoming sterile
Gestation period is 5 months

33. Management of Goats (cont.)
Managing Dairy Goats (cont.)
Put kids on pasture as soon as possible
Separate buck kids from doelings at 2 to 3 months
Castrate bucks at 8 to 12 weeks old
Dehorn kids when 3 to 5 days old
Trim hooves from time to time

34. Management of Goats (cont.)
Managing Dairy Goats (cont.)
Tattooing or tagging
Milk on stand by hand or machine
Feed strong-flavored feeds only after milking
Clip does on udder and flank area

35. Management of Goats (cont.)
Managing Dairy Goats (cont.)
Wash udder
Milk at intervals of 12 hours
Strain milk
Cool milk quickly

36. Management of Goats (cont.)
Managing Fiber Goats
Run three or four bucks with each 100 does
Flush does
Use yearling or older bucks for breeding
Kid does in pasture
Use stakes and kidding boxes

37. Management of Goats (cont.)
Managing Fiber Goats (cont.)
Newborn kids should not be handled
Ear mark and vaccinate kids
Castration
Weaned after fall shearing
Caping to protect from weather
Spraying and drenching

38. Management of Goats (cont.)
Managing Meat Goats
Breed year-round
Cross Spanish with Boer to increase meat production
Overall, similar to managing fiber goats

39. Housing and Equipment Housing and Equipment for Dairy Goats
Depends on size of herd
Loose pen and tie stalls
Confinement housing
Milking area/room
Woven wire fences
Feed racks, troughs, and hurdles

40. Housing and Equipment Housing and Equipment for Fiber and Meat Goats
Similar to those for sheep
Basic protection from elements, extreme weather
Housing varies by herd size, land availability, and operation type
If confined, minimum 20 square feet needed

41. Protection from Predators
Domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, and wildcats are serious threats
Goats are easy prey
Fencing helps to protect
Guardian animals (dogs, donkeys, llamas) can help protect the herd