Pet Goat Cost

• Goats range in price from $75 to $300, depending on factors including sex, age and temperament.
• Wethers, or neutered male goats, are typically cheaper, often sold for around $100. Bucks, unneutered males, are next in price, typically between $150 and $250. Does, or female goats, range from $250 to $300. Wethers or does make the easiest pets. It's also easier to own two does, or a doe and a wether, than to mingle a doe and a buck together.

• Goats are generally even-tempered, curious and playful.
• The average lifespan of a goat is about 15 years.
• The purchase usually includes a health certificate, which is needed for transporting. Purchased separately, a health certificate costs about $50.
• Many goat enthusiasts recommend owning two or more goats instead of one, since goats are social creatures. However, some goat owners say if the pet is alone from very young it will be used to it and may in fact bond to its human companions moreso than it would if it had another goat around.
• For more nuts-and-bolts information about goats, view introductory information on pet goats at GoatWorld.com.

• Fencing. Goats are curious and intelligent, and can escape from weak fences. A chain link fence is recommended, these cost between $2,500 and $10,000, depending on the size of the lot and the type of material. Make sure the fence is at least six feet high, since goats typically jump over fences.
• Housing and bedding. Goats must have an enclosed living space to keep them warm and dry. For the smaller breeds, a large doghouse will do. For a standard breed, an enclosure will cost between $300 and $600 depending on size and durability. The home will need to be scattered with hay as bedding, which will need replaced about once a month at a cost of about $10.
• Food. Goats are vegetarian. Goats will eat about six to 10 pounds of hay per day. A 40-pound bale will last one to two months and can be purchased for between $3.50 and $8.25, depending on where you live.
• Supplement the hay with a goat chow and yeast culture. Purina makes a chow for $50 and lasts several months. A 50-pound bag of yeast culture will cost about $40 and will last several years. CaprineSupply.com has a variety of these products.
• Veterinary costs. Expect to spend between $50 and $250 on vet bills annually. Find a goat vet nearby at CyberGoat.com.
• Additionally, goats need their hooves trimmed about every other month. This can be done at home with hoof trimmers, which cost about $20 a pair. Prevent intestinal worms, a common goat malady, with deworming medication about every four months. It costs $15.

• Adopt an adult goat through Petfinder.com for $75 to $100.
• Wethers tend to cost less than does or bucks.

• FiascoFarm.com focuses on dairy goats, but provides a good overview of what to consider before buying a goat.
• Goat season is the springtime, when many baby goats are available. It may be difficult to find a specific breed of goat in seasons other than spring.
• The Goat Magazine has a breeder list by state. The Nigerian Pygmy Goat Association provides an easy-to-use breeder list for that particular breed.

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