General
The goats come into heat from the end of August and September and can last until March. During this period the male, the buck, also produces more scent. After a successful mating the goat will be pregnant for about 5 months, after which 1 to sometimes 3 lambs are born. After about a year goats are sexually mature, with dwarf goats this can sometimes be after half a year. On average goats live to be about 12 years old.
Care, housing and nutrition
Care:
Goats are relatively easy to keep and are usually very friendly and curious. They can easily get used to people and are playful. When playing, it is important to pay attention to the horns, a beech with horns can hit quite hard unintentionally. Goats are usually kept on grass or straw, which can cause their nails to grow too long, it is important to keep an eye on this and have them trimmed if necessary.
Housing:
Goats hate cold and wet weather, they come from Africa of course. That is why it is important to have a draft-free and warm stable for them. In the summer it is important that they have shade and a nice big meadow or run. In addition, goats like to climb so some climbing and clambering possibilities are appreciated.
Nutrition:
Goats are herbivores that naturally scrape together a varied diet. They do not really graze like sheep and cows, but they nibble more. They eat grass, twigs, branches, leaves and bark. They prefer grass that has been able to grow longer than short grass. They also really like hay and it is a good product to keep your goat healthy. In addition, there is special pellets for goats (sheep pellets are different) that also provide for the vitamin and mineral needs. In colder periods or with pregnant or lactating goats, you can give a little more of this because the need also increases then. As a bonus, you can give the goats bread crusts or uncooked vegetables. They are literally inside fatteners, this means that they do not look fat from the outside but are on the inside. Goats that are even too fat on the outside really need to lose weight, it is even more dangerous for goats to be too fat than too thin. Furthermore, clean drinking water must be available at all times!
When it comes to hay and in the pasture/cow, make sure there are no poisonous plants such as ragwort.
illnesses
Goats are generally tough animals and do not get sick easily. A healthy goat is active, has a bright eye, a shiny coat without holes and always wants something tasty. A goat that suddenly hangs its head, does not want to eat anymore, is lethargic, lies down a lot, has diarrhea or drools a lot is sick. In that case always consult the vet.
It is important to combat worms in goats properly, this usually has to be done 2 to 4 times a year. To know for sure whether it is necessary to have your goat deworming manure testing can be done.
Another important disease is Q fever, the goats themselves often do not get sick from this, but it is dangerous for people. That is why it is recommended to have your goats vaccinated against this. For commercially kept goats such as dairy goats or on a petting zoo, this is even mandatory. The Q fever bacteria is mainly released during lambing, so it is important to take good hygiene measures, such as gloves and possibly a mouth mask. Pregnant women are absolutely not allowed to assist with the birth of lambs.
Since goats are even-toed ungulates and are legally food-producing animals, they may be affected by measures against contagious animal diseases (such as foot-and-mouth disease).
For further questions or advice, please contact the veterinary practice.