Goats are a four-legged, hoofed farm animal and have been domesticated for thousands of years. Goats, especially miniature species such as African Pygmy Goats and Nigerian Dwarf Goats, are kept as pets. Goats are well liked for their curious and intelligent nature.
Typical costs:
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[1] on pet goats at GoatWorld.com.
Additional costs:
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 3 to 10 pounds of hay per day. A small 40-70 pound bale will last one to two weeks and can be purchased for between $3.50 and $8.25, depending on where you live and how plentiful hay is that season.
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[2] 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[3] .
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.
Discounts:
Adopt an adult goat through Petfinder.com[4] for $75 to $100.
Wethers tend to cost less than does or bucks.
Shopping for a pet goat:
FiascoFarm.com[5] 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[6] . The Nigerian Pygmy Goat Association provides an easy-to-use breeder list[7] for that particular breed.
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This is a lovely goat that is very cute. This boy is really needing to find a forever home. He is supper friendly and loves people, so if you would like him just let me know
Ollie was dehorned but he was tough on chain link.rubbed on it stretching it.a neutered male.a great pet.largegoat.over200lbs.can be a lot for a child due to size.i bottle fed him.spent everyday interacting with him.i love goats..fun. Funny critters.kept with a horse.be sure goat can get away from the horse.as a horses can get wound up.
LMAO, Boy I would sure love to have found someone who sold their bottle goats for $5!! These cannot then be goats of any use. This article is fairly accurate. AS a rule bottle goats go for $50. Weaned $75 and up , depending on breed , condition, if they are registered , or sex. And again , some goats are free. However , beware there is no such thing as a FREE anything , everything comes with complications and vet bills. So unless you want a chore above and beyond just enjoying a healthy goat , stay way from free goats.
I bought a doeling for $375. They don't eat ten pounds of hay a day, and if they did how would fourth pounds last you over a month? If you get a used chain link fence it is somewhere in the neighborhood of $200-$500. There is also something called goat fence which is under $400 and just as goat proof as chain link fence. ONLY GIVE YOUR GOAT WORMER IF THEY NEED IT UNLESS YOU WANT A DEAD GOAT! You can buy a little wether for $15 if you can vaccinate them yourself and if you don't need their papers.
My daughter never had a dog, only goats. She played football, wrestled and hide and go seek. All had horns and my daughter was hurt one time. All my friends loved them, except the one who came over in his new car when one of the goats was loose. Homeowners had to take care of that !!
There is so much wrong with this article I'm not sure where to begin. You don't worm your goat every 4 months. You worm your goat when it needs it or you will kill you goat. Diary goat kids can be purchased as bottle babies at on day 1 for $5. It is preferable to purchase healthy weaned goat kid. Remember you get what you pay for. A goat health certificate is only needed to cross state line. Your kid should have his vaccinations before he leaves the farm. You need to give him his vaccines annually after he comes to your home. I don't know what feed has yeast in it but don't do it. Just buy a goat grain at the farm store. If you have a wether he may not need grain. Goats need companions. You should have 3 goats or a goat and a horse who stay together. Goats are sustainable to "deer worm" it is shed by deer and will be picked up by the goat and can permanently lame or kill your goat in a day. Not all veterinarians know how to care for a goat. Find your vet first, not your goat.
Boer goats are very friendly. Mine is a doe and she is so attached to me that she will actually cry when I leave the pen. We love each other to death. She will swim with me, take walks with me (without a halter), and even rides the four wheeler with me. I also have 3 other Boers, 4 Pygmies, and1 Kiko.
I have always wanted a couple of these goats but don't know where to look for local laws. I do live in a neighborhood but have a large backyard. Who do I contact for info on the laws of owning them?
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