To maintain a healthy diet, it is vital for your goats to consume a significant amount of natural roughage from sources such as shrubs, woody plants, hay, tree bark, and other similar sources. It is highly unlikely that the roughage they consume can meet all their nutritional requirements for optimal health. Adding a coarse grain product such as goat feed, corn, or other quality grain may be required to supplement their diet.

Feeding your goats a predominantly grain-based diet can lead to severe kidney problems that may ultimately result in their demise. Excessive weight gain can result in a distended abdomen or an increase in overall body fat.

For a goat to maintain a well-balanced diet, it is crucial that 75% to 80% of their dietary intake includes natural roughage-providing plants.

It is possible that you have been told that goats are capable of consuming anything or that goats have no dietary restrictions. This statement is false. Several natural plants can be extremely harmful to your pets, and may even result in severe illness or untimely demise of the animal. Plants that can adversely affect the health of your goats.

Hemlock

Wild cherry

Azalea

Black walnut

Rhododendron

Mountain Laurel and Sheep Laurel

Juniper

Ponderosa Pine 

Pods of Mesquite

Always ensure that your animals have access to a generous supply of clean and fresh water. The quantity of water required by them will fluctuate according to the level of moisture present in their food. If you reside in an area that experiences extended periods of subzero temperatures during the winter, it would be wise to invest in a submersible heater for your water container. This will prevent the animal's drinking water from freezing completely.

Providing shelter for your animals is essential. A shelter that is free from rainfall and prevents the dew from dripping on them is required by them to rest comfortably. To protect them from the winter's cold winds and keep them safe from natural predators, their shelter should provide a secure haven.

Goat keepers commonly place a generous amount of straw or hay inside their shelters to provide sufficient insulation for their animals against the frosty and moist ground. If you prefer, you can opt to install a wooden flooring for your shelter.

A goat can also be provided with an excellent shelter alternative by a spacious dog house. The animal will enter the structure and may ascend it as well. Small igloo dog houses are a popular choice among owners who want to provide their small animals with a shelter within their enclosure.

Trimming the hooves of your goats is a skill that you must acquire. Placing rocks or concrete blocks in the enclosure alongside the animal can facilitate them in their natural efforts to maintain their hooves. However, it is necessary to periodically check and trim their hooves to remove any overgrowth.

High-Quality Fencing

To prevent animals from escaping, you must install barriers that are impossible for them to squeeze through or lift up and go under. Goats often get their horns caught in the fence, as they are known to poke their heads through the gaps.

These animals require sturdy fencing and reliable gates to ensure proper containment. Properly securing the fencing material to the fence-posts is crucial as the animals may scratch themselves against the fence, which may cause them to push against it frequently.

Indications of Illness in Your Goat

Even if you provide excellent care for your animals, sickness can still occur. Paying attention to the usual behavior of your animal is the optimal method to identify if they are unwell. If any of the animals display unusual behavior, you will promptly observe the change.

Goats may exhibit several indicators of illness including:

If they fail to ruminate

If they resist getting out of bed

When they deviate from their usual eating habits

If their excrement is in a form other than pellets, whether solid or liquid. This could indicate a problem.

Cry and walk more frequently than usual.

Their teeth start to grind.

Their gait is impaired.

Their movements are unsteady.

The udders feel warm when touched.

There is coughing occurring.

The color of their eyelids or gums is pale.

Their nose is dripping.

These delightful creatures possess charming personalities and are sure to provide hours of entertainment. When you sell the younger ones, they will fetch a good price and help in maintaining a weed-free and shrub-free property. Caring for animals is not a difficult task and the benefits outweigh any inconvenience that may arise.

Are you contemplating acquiring goats either as pets, for milk production, or for property maintenance? One of the most vital things you will do is to provide care for your new animals.