Reasons to Think Twice About Raising Goats

 

Goats are often considered to be an efficient animal to have on a homestead, and there’s no doubt that their milk and meat is delicious.  However, they can also be more trouble than their worth, especially if you’re not equipped to address some of the problems associated with their care.   Here are a few common problems worth knowing about that tend to catch people off-guard.

 

They’re Destructive

Goats not only eat almost anything that bears a close resemblance to food, but they also leave a path of destruction in their wake.  Even precautions like fencing are sometimes no match for a persistent goat that will stop at nothing until they figure out a way to get at your vegetables.  Goats can also devastate young wild plants, shrubs and trees.  Additionally, goats tend to eat first and ask questions later which can lead to poisoning if they feast on the wrong type of vegetation.  Consequently, you’ll need to have a dedicated grazing area, that has been cleared of harmful vegetation and is nowhere near your garden in order to protect your goats as well as your food supply.

 

Bucks can be a Challenge

If you plan on using goats for milk, you’ll probably have to breed them at some point, and dealing with bucks can be a pain.  They can be ornery, rambunctious, smelly and you need to keep them in a separate pasture from the does if you’re going to be engaging in seasonal breeding.  During a rut, bucks also have a number of disgusting habits that may attract the ladies, but they can be repugnant to humans.  Bucks can also be aggressive toward their owners when they’re in a rut as well.  Be prepared to be charged at, spit on and have to contend with some very foul odors when they’re ready to mate.

 

Escape

Goats have an uncanny ability to get past fencing and escape which can be a perpetual challenge for you as well as your neighbors.  Even if goats have everything they need to be happy in their designated areas, their insatiable desire to wander will lead them to find creative ways to exploit any weakness in barriers that you set up.  Be prepared to play a continual game of cat and mouse with goats that will undoubtedly give you a run for your money on a regular basis.

 

Worms and Illness

Goats are particularly susceptible to worms, and they are also vulnerable to a wide-range of other illnesses as well.  Be prepared to spend a lot of time and money at the vet as well as researching how to worm goats with chemical as well as natural remedies.  Additionally, there’s a good chance that you’ll have to continually evolve treatments as they become resistant to them over time.

 

Trimming Nails

Their nails will need to be trimmed on a regular basis because they can interfere with walking and cut through sensitive areas on their hooves.  Left untreated, they can lead to wounds that are difficult to heal as well as putting your goats at risk of developing serious infections.  Additionally, goats are not usually content with standing still while you grab their legs and get to work, so you’ll probably end up spending a lot of time and effort trying to find creative ways to keep them calm and occupied until you’re finished.

 

These are just a few examples of a number of challenges that you can expect to face if you decide to raise goats.  While we’re not suggesting that you should avoid having goats on your homestead, it’s important that you’re aware of some of their little idiosyncrasies before you take the plunge.  Raising goats can be very rewarding, but it’s a hands-on commitment, and you want to make sure that you’re jumping in with both eyes open to avoid any unexpected and unpleasant surprises down the line.

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