Backyard minature goats

Overview of Backyard Miniature Goats

Miniature goats, primarily breeds like the Nigerian Dwarf and the African Pygmy, are popular choices for small-scale farming and homesteading. Their compact size makes them more manageable than standard breeds, requiring less space and feed. They are typically raised for several purposes:

1. Milk: Nigerian Dwarfs are particularly prized for their high-butterfat milk, which is excellent for drinking, cheese making, yogurt, and soap. Despite their small size, they can produce a respectable amount of milk (up to half a gallon per day per doe).
2. Cheese: The high butterfat content (often 6-10%) makes miniature goat milk ideal for creamy cheeses.
3. Meat: While not their primary purpose due to smaller carcasses, Pygmy goats are stockier and can be raised for meat. Some raise surplus males (wethers or bucks) for meat.
4. Companionship: Miniature goats are known for their friendly, curious, and engaging personalities, making them enjoyable pets.
5. Brush Clearers: Goats are natural browsers and can help manage overgrown areas.

Investment

• Initial Costs: Purchasing goats ($100 - $500+ each), secure housing ($200 - $1000+), strong fencing ($2 - $10+ per foot), feeders/waterers ($50+), milking supplies ($50 - $200), health supplies ($50+).
• Ongoing Costs: Feed (hay, grain, minerals - variable), bedding ($10-$30/month), vet care (vaccines, deworming, emergencies - $100-$500+ annually), hoof trimming supplies or services ($10-$40 per session), potential breeding fees.

General Requirements

• Social Needs: Goats are herd animals; you must keep at least two.
• Shelter: A dry, draft-free shelter protecting from rain, snow, wind, and harsh sun.
• Fencing: Secure, climb-proof fencing (minimum 4-5 feet high).
• Nutrition: Access to forage/browse, quality hay, fresh water, goat-specific loose minerals, and baking soda. Grain supplements are needed for lactating does, growing kids, and sometimes during winter or pregnancy.
• Healthcare: Regular hoof trimming (every 4-8 weeks), parasite control (deworming based on need/fecal tests), vaccinations.
• Legal: Check local zoning laws and ordinances regarding livestock.

How to Raise Backyard Miniature Goats

1. Acquire Goats: Purchase healthy stock (at least two) from a reputable breeder.
2. Set Up Habitat: Ensure shelter and fencing are secure before bringing goats home.
3. Establish Routine: Provide feed and fresh water daily.
4. Learn Basic Care: Practice handling, health checks, and hoof trimming.
5. Milking (if applicable): Learn proper sanitation and milking techniques.
6. Parasite Management: Develop a sustainable deworming strategy with vet input or fecal testing.
7. Socialization: Spend time with your goats to make them easier to handle.

Feeding and Care

The foundation of a goat's diet is roughage. Provide free-choice access to good quality grass hay or alfalfa hay (use alfalfa cautiously due to high calcium/protein). Allow access to browse (safe weeds, shrubs, tree leaves) if possible. Supplement with a pelleted goat feed formulated for their needs, adjusting amounts based on age, pregnancy, lactation, and body condition. Always provide fresh, clean water. Offer free-choice loose goat minerals (ensure adequate copper - do not use sheep minerals) and free-choice baking soda to aid digestion. Regularly trim hooves, monitor for parasites (e.g., using FAMACHA scoring), and administer vaccinations as recommended by a veterinarian.

Benefits Over Chickens?

• Different Products: Goats offer milk (leading to cheese, yogurt, soap) and potentially meat. Chickens offer eggs and meat.
• Space/Infrastructure: Goats need significantly more space, much stronger fencing, and a more robust shelter than chickens.
• Cost: Goats generally have higher initial and ongoing costs (feed, vet care).
• Interaction: Goats can be more interactive and companionable but also more destructive if they escape.
• Complexity: Goat husbandry (especially breeding and milking) is generally more complex than raising chickens for eggs.

Special Requirements

• Fencing: This is critical. Miniature goats are notorious escape artists. Fencing needs to be tall (4-5 ft), sturdy (woven wire, cattle panels), and free of gaps.
• Predator Protection: Protection from dogs, coyotes, etc., is essential, especially at night.
• Mineral Balance: Correct mineral supplementation is vital; copper deficiency is common if incorrect minerals are used.
• Parasite Control: Internal parasites are a major health challenge requiring active management.
• Legality: Always verify local zoning ordinances before acquiring goats.

Climate Requirements

Miniature goats are hardy but require protection. They need a draft-free shelter to escape rain, snow, and wind. They strongly dislike being wet and cold. In hot climates, ample shade is crucial. Ensure water sources do not freeze in winter and are kept cool in summer.

Space Requirements

• Indoors (Shelter): Minimum 10-15 square feet per goat.
• Outdoors (Dry Lot/Paddock): Minimum 200-250 square feet per goat. More is always better.
• Pasture: If relying on pasture for significant forage, much larger areas are needed, often recommended at 1/4 to 1/2 acre per 2-4 goats, ideally with rotational grazing.

Can Miniature Goats Be Kept Indoors?

No, miniature goats cannot be kept primarily indoors as house pets. They require outdoor space for exercise, foraging, and natural behaviors. They are farm animals, not typical house pets, and can be destructive indoors.

Can Miniature Goats Be Fenced?

Yes, they must be fenced. Secure, well-maintained fencing is arguably the most crucial infrastructure requirement for keeping miniature goats safely contained and protected.