Baby Goats Need Water

Baby goats need water. Use a small bucket, not too big they can drown. However, a 2-gallon bucket is a great size. A tank heater to keep water warm. The babies may poop in it, they can get really sick if they drink it. So keep it clean and fresh.

Introducing Hay To Baby Goats as a New Goat Owner

At around 2 weeks of age begin offering free choice 50/50 (alfalfa/grass) mix hay, pellet feed, and mineral. Their rumen isn’t yet fully developed but they will begin feeding instinctively when they’re ready. Free choice means the goat has unlimited access to hay, grain, and mineral. They won’t overeat, because they will self-regulate how much they consume. As a result, this eliminates bloat, which is a common cause of death in baby goats. Free choice is offered to goats up to a year old to ensure the best growth of your goat. It also aids in the process of growing strong healthy goats. Therefore, after 1 year, cut grains from wethered males’ diets as most grains can raise chances they can develop urinary calculi (UC) if given incorrectly.

Know What Feed To Give Baby Goats as a New Goat Owner 

• Free Choice 50/50 alfalfa/grass mix hay. (more hay in colder temperatures to keep their bodies warm)
• Free Choice Pellet Grain Feed small amounts only to wethers/bucklings
• Free Choice Loose Minerals (area-specific, check your local vet or dairies to get the best minerals. Minerals help with drinking lots of water.)

Supplies Needed For a New Goat Owner

1. Fencing

All goats need fencing. If not, they will be running and get into all sorts of mischief.

You have to take into account how many goats you are getting and what their size will be when they are full grown.

2. Feed

Contrary to popular belief goats do NOT eat anything and everything. They are browsers- not grazers and they are very picky eaters. .

There are different options that you can feed your goats:

• hay (alfalfa, timothy, blend)
• grain
• pellets (alfalfa, timothy, blend)

Our goats only get alfalfa/timothy pellets, small amount of grain and BOSS (black oil sunflower seeds) we mix our own ration of grains.  OF course they free range on grass and leaves when in season.  

3. Housing

Another common misconception is that goats need a big ‘ol barn.

. All sides and the top are covered except where the door is. Goats do need some air circulating throughout the night.

A lot of people just use a regular ‘ol dog house for their goats. Some people don’t even lock their goats up at night but we live in a rural area with predators so we lock ours up (and they are like my children, so….).

We use Pine shavings in the warmer months and Hay for bedding in the cold winter months. Goats like to have clean bedding, so we give them a thin new layer every few days.

4. Minerals and Baking Soda

Goats need minerals.

We offer it free choice. We keep it next to their hay in their pen.

We have had the mineral block for almost two months and we are not fans. It breaks apart after awhile. We will continue using it until we have their feeding station built.

We offer loose minerals free choice and also baking soda free choice.  Baking soda aids in bloating.  

The ph in a goats rumen can become off balance. A goat knows when they need baking soda so leave it free choice.

5. Dewormer

Worms like LOVE goats. Period.  You have to do something to deter/remedy this. We like to use natural products over anything else around these parts.

*Note: you give formula one every 4 weeks until 6 months old.

6. Hoof Trimmers

Last but not least you will need hoof trimmers.  They can be purchased off Amazon or your local TSC/Feed Store.  

You will need to trim your goat’s hooves at least 4 times a year, if not more.  There are some great tutorials on Youtube that you can watch.  As always, I would be happy to show you when you pick up your new goat, just ask.