The other diseases can be known by inspecting the herd and looking out for signs and symptoms. You can also approach a farm veterinarian to make sure that the goats are checked for diseases. Once the diseases are identified, you’ll need to get medications and treatment for your goats from the vet. You can stock the medicine cabinet with certain medications such as antibiotic ointments for pink eye. 

This helps you in having the medications ready as soon as you notice any symptoms. It is best to have a farm medicine cabinet, where all these medications can be kept. You must separate the sick goat from the herd if it has a contagious disease. Consult the vet if you need to have any of your doubts clarified. Here are some of the common goat diseases:

1. Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE)

This is a contagious and incurable disease, which is devastating for your goat herd. It’s quite similar to HIV in humans. This disease compromises the immune system of a goat and this is why you must buy CAE-free goats. A test for CAE would help in identifying whether the goat has been infected with this virus.

2. Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL)

This is a contagious and chronic disease, also known as ‘abscesses’. Goats infected with this disease have pus-filled infections or abscesses formed around their lymph nodes. With the bursting of the abscesses, other goats can be infected by the pus. As the test for CL is not often accurate, you must buy goats that are free from the disease.

3. Coccidiosis

The young ones affected by this parasite can suffer from diarrhoea, rough coats, and general ill-health. Sometimes, the diarrhoea can be bloody. Albon is used to treat the affected goats. You can also feed them a coccidiostat as a preventative.

4. Pink eye

Just like humans, goats can get pink eye. The rules for taking care of the affected goats is the same as in humans. Keep the sick ones away from the rest of the goats in the herd. Make sure you wash your hands well after handling the goat with pink eye. You can get the goat treated by taking it to the vet.

5. Enterotoxemia

This condition is caused due to bacterial imbalance in the rumen of the goat. It can result from overfeeding, sudden changes in feed, sickness, or digestive problems. Enterotoxemia can be fatal for the goat. So, make sure that you vaccinate your goat herd against enterotoxemia. It’s always good to have CD antitoxin handy for emergencies.

6. G-6-S

This is a genetic defect, which is seen in Nubian goats and Nubian crosses. Young ones among goats with this defect usually die early. Only some of the breeders have their goats tested for this and sell them as ‘G-6-S Normal’.

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These animals are believed to have been domesticated about 10,000 years ago. Over 200 breeds of domestic goats are found across the world in recent times. Goats of different species have varying colours and sizes. Usually, they feed on tree trunks and grass. Here are some of the other interesting facts about goats you probably don’t know:

1. They like smiling faces

A simple experiment revealed that these domestic animals prefer happy faces. The details of this experiment were published in the Royal Society Open Science. As a part of the experiment, researchers placed photos of the same face on the wall at a goat sanctuary. One was a happy face while the other was an angry one. Goats were seen avoiding the photo with an angry faces. 

However, they had a strange attraction towards the happy face and explored it with their snouts. It was already known to the researchers that goats understood human body language, but this behaviour was quite unexpected. It took things a little further. Goats could clearly distinguish between the expressions and they obviously liked smiling faces.

2. They’re picky eaters

You might be under the impression that goats would eat anything. In many of the cartoon or comic series, you must’ve seen a goat gnawing on a tin. You must understand that this is far from being true. Goats are actually quite picky when it comes to food. They go for the most nutritious offerings and are very resourceful. They like tree bark, as it is rich in tannins. The thinnest patches of grass are also eaten by them.

3. The shape of their eyes have a purpose

Some people don’t like the odd pupils in the eyes of goats. A study was published in Science Advances in the year 2015. The researchers examined the eyes of more than 200 land animals as a part of this study. They found an astonishing correlation between the shape of goats’ pupils and their ecology. 

Their side-slanted eyes help them while feeding on grass. They give them a wider field of vision without absorbing as much light coming from above. So, their vision is not affected by the sun’s rays. It also helps them in keeping an eye on their predators.

4. Goats are quite emotional

Many people are not aware of the fact that goats are very emotional animals. They’re surprisingly intelligent and can learn to perform a task within about twelve attempts. Another amazing fact about goats is that they can identify their companions just by hearing their sounds. By listening to the calls of other goats, they can also understand their emotions. 

A study published in ‘Frontiers in Zoology’ had some interesting details. It was found by researchers that goats have different physiological reactions based on emotions heard from other goats. It’s a social phenomenon called ’emotional contagion.

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This would help them to grow into healthy and happy adult goats. Caring for them would involve many things, such as managing their birth, feeding, and shelter. 

Right after birth

Your presence is necessary when the baby is born. This helps you as well as the baby goat to come in contact with each other for the very first time. From that point, the baby goat gets accustomed to human contact. As soon as the baby goat is born, you must allow the umbilical cord to break naturally. You must only trim it if it’s more than four inches long. 

The cord must be about three to four inches in length. If you’re trimming the cord, make sure you use a sterilized pair of scissors. Once the cord is trimmed, the cord must be cleaned with iodine. The stub must be allowed to fall off the natural way. Leave the baby goat with its mother to let them bond. The mother goat will lick the young one clean. You must stay and monitor the situation from a distance. 

Make sure that the mother goat feeds its baby within the first hour after its birth. If the baby goat doesn’t feed, you’ll need to bottle-feed its colostrum. It’s the early milk that’s high in nutrients and has elements for building immunity. Colostrum can be taken from the mother or another goat. It can also be purchased from a feed store.

Feeding the baby goat

Even before the baby goat is born, you’ll need to decide how it’ll be fed. You can either bottle-feed it or allow the mother goat to nurse and raise its baby. Bottle-fed goats develop a sense of attachment to humans caring for them. Leave the baby goat with its mother for a few days even if you want to bottle-feed it. 

This would ensure that it gets the colostrum rich in nutrients into its body. Having the mother goat nurse its baby has many advantages. You’ll be freed from the responsibility of feeding the baby goat. It’ll grow healthier, as it’ll get its mother’s care and all the required nutrients.

Bottle-feeding 

If you’ve decided to bottle feed the young one, it must be taught how to drink from the bottle. The baby goat will associate the bottle with milk if milk is squirted into its mouth. In the first month, these young ones must be fed at least four times daily. In the following months, the number of feedings can be reduced to three. 

You can follow the advice of the vet on the exact amounts of milk to be fed. The vet can also advise you on feeding other supplements. For bottle-feeding the baby goat, you’ll require a goat baby bottle. Other requirements are lamb or kid nipple and goat milk replacement formula. Colostrum replacement may also be required if necessary.

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Today, many people don’t know anything about goats. Here, we’ve presented some tips to those who wish to raise goats in cities:

1. Know the local rules and regulations

The very first requirement for keeping goats is whether it’s allowed according to the local rules and regulations. Permission might be required from the authorities of the county, municipality or the local association of homeowners. Certain breeds of goats, especially the males among them that haven’t been neutered can be loud. 

It might not be possible to keep them in a place that’s densely populated. Much of this can be attributed to their poor habits with regard to hygiene.

2. Choose a goat breed according to your needs

The ideal breed for backyard environments would be goats that stay small at maturity. Oberhaslis and Manchas are an excellent choice if you’re looking for one of the milk-producing breeds. However, there must be a stud buck of the chosen breed is present in the area where you reside. 

In the process of raising female goats, you’ll realize that they need young ones. This is how they begin producing milk. People who don’t want milk from these animals can raise pygmy goats. If your intention for raising goats is dairy, take your doe to a stud buck when it’s breeding time.

3. Have a covered goat shed built

It’s important to have a shed that protects the goat from rain, wind, and snow. For this purpose, you’ll need to provide them with a covered shed. There are different styles of shed that can be constructed for the goats. The first thing that’s needed in a shed is protective flooring. It must stay dry so that the goats would be comfortable. 

At least half of the sides of the goat shed must have walls. Goats would be protected from respiratory problems if there’s proper ventilation. As long as your goats stay dry, you don’t need to provide the shed with additional heat.

4. Provide a milking stand with a stanchion

You should plan on milking twice a day if you wish to have dairy products. As the days grow shorter, you can milk once every day. When the goat gives birth, you must plan on picking the exact tempo after some weeks of rest. You’ll certainly need a milking stand with a stanchion. 

It would help the goats to place their head and enjoy their treat while being milked. They must be given some training in the process of getting milk. You’ll also need to train yourself in milking the goats. Some amount of practice is required to get your hand movements right. 

In the absence of a proper stand, you’ll face a lot of difficulties while milking your goat. Without an appropriate stand, you’ll probably need to almost lie down on the ground while milking. This is especially true in the case of shorter goats.

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As they’re herd animals, you must have at least two of them for their well-being. They always like to have someone for company. You might be considering adding goats to your homestead at the moment. If you’ve already decided to get some, you might want to know more about them. Here we’ve presented the five essential elements of goat care for you:

1. Shelter

You’ll need to provide shelter to your goats. They love the warmth and might fall sick if they’re out in unpleasant weather. Don’t go for a fancy shelter. All you need is a simple, three-sided structure. Make sure that the open side faces south unless it’s where the wind comes from. 

It’s absolutely important to have a strong roof. You must have a space of at least 20 square feet inside the shelter. However, additional space would be needed according to the size and number of goats. Make sure that you have a dirt floor inside the shelter. It’s the best for goats, as it lasts long and provides better drainage. 

Sawdust or straw can be used for their bedding, especially during winter. You must either change or clean their bedding once in a week. In the colder months, you can clean or change it once a month.

2. Fencing

You must install strong fences around the shelter of your goats. There are several options in fencing, such as welded wire, cattle panels, and woven wire. Make sure that the fencing is at least four feet high. The fences must also be strong enough to avoid them from being pulled down. 

Once they get a good running start, goats can jump greater heights. They might also push the fence upon seeing you coming with some treats for them. Goats can also try to push the fence to seek your attention.

3. Outdoor spaces

A space of at least 200 square feet per goat must be provided in the fenced run. Of course, having more space would make them happier. They can be tied in such a way that they’re able to eat in different areas of the yard. 

You must have an eye on them often when you tie them outside. There’s always a possibility of the goats getting themselves wrapped around things. Usually, this happens when they’re eating their way through the grass, leaves, or weeds.

4. Feeding

Goats would need a constant supply of fresh food and water. They’ll appreciate a little warmer water during winters. It’ll be a good idea to use five-gallon buckets filled with water for them. Pregnant goats or the ones in heat would need supplemental feed. The amount of feed they require would greatly depend on their size and weight. 

About three cups a day are required for pregnant goats. The ones that are being milked would need a lot more. Some goat owners allow them to eat as much as they want. Hay and forage must also be provided for them every day. You can also buy or construct a hay feeder. This can prevent the hay from getting wasted. 

Many goats prefer weed hay and alfalfa as well. You can give these treats to your goat every now and then to keep them in a good mood. If you’ve got some weeds and trimmings while clearing your yard, they can also be given. It would be a good idea to let your kids feed them leaves, dandelions, and weeds. 

You can bring some of the treats from the yard yourself. Goats might miss most of the stuff available in the yard while eating. Make sure that you clear your yard of any plants or grass that are toxic to goats. They’ll mostly avoid things that can make them sick, but this might not happen always. 

Foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals for goats can be purchased from a nearby feed store. Make sure that these foods are labelled for goats and not for sheep.

5. Caring

You need to provide your goats with some routine care, which would keep them healthy. This involves certain things that need to be done frequently. Some of them are necessary only when an urgent need arises. Here are some of the things involved in routine care:

Trimming of hooves: As humans need to trim their fingernails, the hooves of goats must also be trimmed. It would be great to invest in a nice and sharp pair of trimmers. This will help you keep their hooves in a good shape.

Vaccinations: Not every goat owner believes in vaccinating the animals. Although it might not seem important, it’s good to have the goats vaccinated for Tetanus. If this disease is detected early, it’s almost impossible for the goats to recover from it. It is, therefore, highly recommended that you vaccinate your, goats. You must do your bit of research and make an informed decision with regards to the vaccinations.

Deworming: You must certainly watch out for signs of intestinal worms in your goats. In recent times, there are herbal dewormers available that are much more effective and safer than chemical dewormers. You can get an effective herbal dewormer online or from one of the local feed stores. You must also ask for the doses of the dewormer that needs to be given to your goats.

Emergencies: You must always be prepared for an emergency. It would be great if you have a medicine cabinet with all the basic supplies. Additionally, you must have the number of a vet who has an excellent knowledge about goats. Generally, goats can take care of themselves, but they do get into trouble sometimes. 

They might break a horn, get injured, or fall sick mostly because of worms. So, a good amount of preparation would avoid any untoward situations.

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