by J.L. Davies

Created on: July 01, 2007

Goats as Pets - This concept turned out to be a much better idea than my original intent which was to view them as livestock. Here are a few "lessons learned" to help folks evaluate the goat's pet potential for their families.

Back in my Mother Earth phase, I did some research and concluded that goats were the best light dairy animals on the planet. Pound for pound and feeding for feeding, they beat all challengers. Smaller and easier to transport, easier to manage, groom, feed and milk; goats could also be culled and used for high protein, low fat meat. HA! Goats are so adorable and charming that the culling process was the first to go. From one goat producing milk and cheese for the family to 9 goats it seemed to happen overnight.

Here is a brief discussion of some of the endearing qualities, and some cautionary tales, that I hope will help:

Goats can make clean and beautiful pets Billy goats (breeding males) are the ones known for the smelly coats and nasty habits. I would exclude them from pet considerations. The weathers (neutered males) and nannies (females) are preferred. There are many breeds and sizes from the Pigmy's which would be good if space is limited to the Nubian, Alpine, Lamancha and many others with interesting coat and body types - beautiful and inviting to pet. The weathers and nannies in my experience liked fresh bedding in the shelter and cleaned themselves daily making the grooming process much easier.

Goats can be low maintenance pets To keep a goat as a pet, I would not suggest an active milker as the process requires constant and consistent attention. That is code for "no vacations." Our milk goats responded (let their milk down) for a familiar pair of hands. They require milking twice daily and asking the neighbor to do it, as if they were feeding the dog, just did not work for us. If the nanny is not milked sufficiently she can develop mastitis which involves pain and discomfort for her and a fat vet bill for you.

If buying a baby, try to make arrangements for neutering the males and dehorning both sexes before you take them home. Horned goats can be a danger to themselves as well as others so do it when they are young and the trauma is much less. After that, you just feed them, keep the pens clean, the veterinary routine up to date, love them and they will reciprocate.

Goats are chocked full of personality - Baby goats are irresistible and quite available. Milk goats must keep giving birth to keep giving milk so milk producers are

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