Raising Goats For Dummies

No buts: discover the addictive joy of raising goats

Goats are amazing, multi-talented creatures that have been domesticated for over 10,000 years. As well as being a source of food, clothes, and milk, they're wonderful companions: cute, intelligent, and playful-and often as friendly and attentive as dogs. In addition, they make endearing noises and-according to ancient Ethiopian legend-discovered coffee. So what's holding you back? The new edition of Raising Goats For Dummies rebuts all your excuses, and shows you why having one-or, actually, a few-of these companionable ruminants (cud-chewing animals) in your life will bring you great joy, and, if you choose, unbeatable homemade milk and cheese-and possibly a cozy new sweater.

A happy goat aficionado since 1998, Cheryl K. Smith takes you from the grassroots of raising your goat-choosing and buying the breed you want, building and maintaining goat-friendly housing-to more elevated terrain, including how to build your own milk stand, participate in online goat shows (it's a thing!), and even monetize your goat. You'll also learn the fundamentals of proper care to make sure your goats are fed, kept healthy, and bred in ways that ensure they have the happiest life you can provide.

• Study the history and breeds of goat, like the Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy
• Live sustainably from and even profit from your goat
• Identify and alleviate common ailments

• Have fun raising the kids!
  Whether you're researching buying a goat or learning on the hoof about the ones you have, this book has everything you need to see why getting your goat will bring years and years of joy.

Auteur

Cheryl K. Smith has raised a small herd of Nigerian Dwarf and Oberian dairy goats under the herd name Mystic Acres since 1998. She is the owner of karmadillo Press and is the author of Goat Health Care, Goat Midwifery, The Best of Ruminations Goat Milk and Cheese Recipes, and Raising Goats: Some Essentials.

Texte du rabat

They're fun, smart, and natural weed whackers!

Looking for a hobby that includes both fun and profit? Raising goats may be exactly what you need! Goats are intelligent, friendly, playful, and great at keeping your weeds under control. Not only that, but there's a growing market for goat's milk, goat cheese, and mohair or cashmere fiber. This fully updated guide will introduce you to different breeds and lead you through choosing your goats, preparing the appropriate living space for them, selecting food, and understanding everything necessary to keep your goats happy and healthy.

Inside. . . Understand the different types of goatsSee what conditions they needKeep your goats safeFind out where to buy goatsTreat common goat ailmentsDecide whether to breedTrain and show goats

Contenu

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 2

Beyond the Book 2

Icons Used in the Book 2

Where to Go from Here 3

Part 1: Getting Started with Goats 5

Chapter 1: Discovering the Joys of Raising Goats 7

Finding Goat Basics 8

Identifying the Benefits of Owning Goats 9

Becoming more self-sufficient 9

Using goats for companions or helpers 13

Raising goats as a 4-H project 14

Determining Whether Goats Are for You 15

Devoting time and effort 15

Deciding which goats are right for your situation 16

Finding out about local ordinances 17

Knowing your neighbors 18

Chapter 2: Glimpsing Vital Goat Statistics 19

Doe, a Goat, a Female Goat 19

Taking a Look at Goat Anatomy 20

Parts of the body 20

The digestive system 22

Hooves 23

Teeth 24

Beards 25

Wattles 25

Horns 26

Eyes 26

Signs of a Healthy Goat 27

Noticing posture 27

Identifying the meaning of goat cries 27

Determining normal temperature 28

Using ruminations as a health indicator 30

Taking a goat's pulse 30

Counting respirations 31

Recognizing life expectancy 31

Using a Goat Scorecard to Evaluate a Goat 31

Chapter 3: Knowing Your Capra Aegagrus Hircus (Goat, That Is) 33

Looking into Dairy Goats 34

Standard dairy goat breeds 34

Miniature breeds 38

Discovering Meat Goats 42

Boer goats 43

Myotonic goats 44

Kiko goats 45

Spanish goats 45

Texmaster goats 46

Moneymaker meat goats 46

Savanna goats 47

Investigating Fiber Goats 47

Angora 47

Cashmere 48

Miniature fiber goats 49

Chapter 4: Getting Your Property Ready for a Goat 51

Figuring Out How Many Goats You Can Support 51

Making Sure Fencing is Adequate 52

Running through types of fencing 53

Planning for gates 54

Protecting Your Plants 55

Considering which trees to protect 55

Making trees goat-proof 55

Protecting Your Herd 57

Putting hazards out of reach 57

Avoiding tethering 58

Providing a safe place to bunk down 59

Considering local predators 59

Using guardian animals for security 61

Removing poisonous plants 63

Building a Milk Stand 65

Cutting the lumber into parts and marking the pieces 67

Attaching the legs to the base 68

Attaching the side pieces to the base 68

Finishing the platform 68

Preparing the stanchion 68

Assembling the stanchion 69

Creating neck pieces 69

Adding the neck pieces to the stanchion 70

Adding the feeder attachment 70

Attaching the stanchion to the base 71

Making final adjustments 71

Part 2: Bringing Your Goats Home 73

Chapter 5: Home Sweet Homestead: Sheltering Your Goats 75

Outlining Shelter Types 75

Using an existing building 77

Putting up a shelter 77

Providing a Safe, Cozy Place for Goats to Bunk 78

Building a sleeping shelf in an existing barn 79

Using and maintaining bedding 82

Creating an Outdoor Shelter 84

Protecting your goats from the elements 84

Selecting flooring 85

Keeping Your Goats and Their Living Space Clean 86

Controlling flies and other bugs 86

Feed storage and ratproofing 88 **Chapter 6: Dinner Time: What and How to Feed...