The fences have been propped up across the pasture and you have the finest tools and facilities money can buy. Be careful though, all these things do not necessarily ensure that your animals will be of prime stock. The right way of caring for goats will make sure that you will have animals blooming in the pink of health.
Caring for goats starts at the outset of beginning of your herd. Investing in the healthiest doe you can purchase will yield healthier offspring. The great genes of this animal will be the bedrock of the health of your herd.
When new kids are born, devote your time in providing them with optimal attention. Caring for goats while they're young will yield great adults. Give them clean and comfortable areas to lie in. A spirited rub of newborns is encouraged at this point. Pay attention that you minister to their cords by putting it in an Iodine solution. Make sure that the kids have access to their mothers' teats for a good shot of Colostrum.
Goats do not require too much in terms of food. Giving grains to your goats will provide them with the nutrition they need to grow and fight off diseases. This is particularly true for mothering does because they need to provide for the needs of their kids. Milk goats also require the extra protein to keep on producing. Put some salt and minerals in your goats' meals at least once a day.
Take the time to understand the biological clock of your goats. Make sure you know when they are in heat so you can adjust your work operations accordingly. After successfully birthing kids, make sure to give them a break before delivering again.
Vaccinate your adult goats. Begin by making sure the pregnant ones have all the treatments they need to stave off diseases like the enterotoxemia and tetanus. Insist that this be done yearly if possible. Setting up appointments with the veterinarian will help you in caring for goats. Record what happens to your animals so that you will be able to track their behaviors which are more often than not, symptoms of disease or conditions they are encountering. Deworm your goats every spring and fall to combat parasites.
Trim the hoofs of your goats every 4-6 weeks. You can tell if your animals have overgrown hoofs if they constantly kneel down while eating. Doing so will prevent arthritis.
Constant supervision, observation, and practice will ensure that you will have healthier goats.
