Dairy Goat FAQ’s
This page is a work in progress and will be added to over time.
Q Do you have to milk a female goat?
A You do not have to milk a female goat. They only produce milk if you breed them and even then you can let them feed their kids and not milk them.
Q What is the smallest goat pound wise that you offer?
A Nigerian Dwarfs are the smallest. Some can be 50 lbs but they average about 75 lbs.
Q Do goats have any needs weather wise?
A Goats need shelter from wind, rain and heat like any animals. Particularly heat around here.
Q Do they need a companion, or could a goat alone be happy?
A Goats are herd animals and cannot be kept alone. There’s a two goat minimum. They are highly susceptible to stress and stress related illness. Keeping a goat alone is not healthy or kind.
Q What do they eat?
A They eat primarily hay and loose minerals. Browse like trees, or bushes, weeds, grass if you have it. But they’re picky and you have to watch for toxic plants.
Q How often?
A They eat 2-3 times a day and then they ruminate - chew their cuds.
Q Can you house train a goat?
A Goats absolutely can not be housebroken. They do not make suitable house pets. They are farm animals.
Q Do goats get along with dogs and cats?
A They get along with dogs, cats, horses, etc. Of course the dogs need to be trustworthy and not prone to chasing or hurting the goats. Goats are prey animals so they are naturally afraid of dogs until they get to know turn and the dog earns their trust. Livestock Guardian Dogs are best kept with goats but other breeds can be playmates if well supervised.
A You do not have to milk a female goat. They only produce milk if you breed them and even then you can let them feed their kids and not milk them.
Q What is the smallest goat pound wise that you offer?
A Nigerian Dwarfs are the smallest. Some can be 50 lbs but they average about 75 lbs.
Q Do goats have any needs weather wise?
A Goats need shelter from wind, rain and heat like any animals. Particularly heat around here.
Q Do they need a companion, or could a goat alone be happy?
A Goats are herd animals and cannot be kept alone. There’s a two goat minimum. They are highly susceptible to stress and stress related illness. Keeping a goat alone is not healthy or kind.
Q What do they eat?
A They eat primarily hay and loose minerals. Browse like trees, or bushes, weeds, grass if you have it. But they’re picky and you have to watch for toxic plants.
Q How often?
A They eat 2-3 times a day and then they ruminate - chew their cuds.
Q Can you house train a goat?
A Goats absolutely can not be housebroken. They do not make suitable house pets. They are farm animals.
Q Do goats get along with dogs and cats?
A They get along with dogs, cats, horses, etc. Of course the dogs need to be trustworthy and not prone to chasing or hurting the goats. Goats are prey animals so they are naturally afraid of dogs until they get to know turn and the dog earns their trust. Livestock Guardian Dogs are best kept with goats but other breeds can be playmates if well supervised.