Guide to Raising Backyard Goats Successfully: Introduction
Raising backyard goats successfully is fairly easy compared to other types of livestock farming. In fact, goats are my favorite type of animals in the backyard. Not only are they very versatile animals, but they also make great pets! Goats are adorable, friendly animals that are not very difficult to raise, but if you are thinking of earning some profit from them, then you must manage them properly.
How will Your Backyard Goats Profit You?
There are many ways in which raising goats can bring you profit. Goats will give you milk, can be reared for meat and can also profit you in fiber. In addition, goats can be given out for rent for clearing landscapes and lawns.
The two major ways they can bring you profit is through milk and meat. The profit you earn from your backyard goats depends on the size of your farm and how many goats you have. If you are still in the initial stages, it is likely that you will not see any profit at all.
Nannies have to bear kids in order to start producing milk. If you are raising goats exclusively for meat, like Boer goats, then you will have to wait till they are quite mature and large enough.
How to Raise Backyard Goats Successfully?
Here are some tips and pointers to keep in mind if you want to raise goats in your backyard successfully.
- Always choose the best breed for your farm.
It is important to choose the best breed for your farm based on why you are raising the goats. If you are raising goats for milk, then choose the breed that will give you good milk. If you are raising them for meat, then you must choose the breed that has excellent feed conversion and produce quality meat. If you are raising goats for pets, the pygmy goats might be the right choice for you. Please refer to this article for a complete guide on the best goat breeds for you.
- Build a shelter for your goats.
It is important to build a comfortable shelter for your goats to keep them safe from the elements. It is important to keep goats dry and comfortable as well as provide them with adequate shade from extreme heat.
Your goats would also require some free-range. Yes, if you are raising goats in your backyard, then you are limited in space. But goats are not animals that can grow up indoors. They need some outdoor space to move freely, so be wise with the number of goats you start with.
Refer to this for how to build your goat shelters.
- Start small
I can’t stress this enough. Most goat farmers face failure because they start with a large number of goats that reproduce fast. Then they are not able to handle all of them, and the business falls flat.
Always start small with the number of goats if you are a beginner in raising goats.
It’s also best to start small if your space is limited. You don’t want to cram many goats into a small space and raise them with no freedom of movement. Goats need free-range to run and explore. They need outdoor space. If they are denied this and raised indoors, it is very likely your goats will fall ill and lead to many complications like aggressive behavior.
My advice to you would be to start your backyard farm with as little as two goats. Please refer to this article on how many goats you need to start a farm with for more information.
- Build a Sturdy fence and Housing.
Goats are clever creatures. It is important to build a strong and sturdy fence around your yard to protect them as well as prevent them from escaping. Goats are notorious for this. I have even found that they are clever at moving latches, opening gates and jumping high in order to get out and run free.
- Feed them well
What you give is what you get. If you feed your goats with quality feed, then the milk they produce and their meat will also be of a high standard. Dairy goats need an exclusive diet to keep their lactation going. And also provide them with plenty of water throughout the day.
If you have adequate pasture in your backyard, then they will gain a substantial part of their diet by foraging naturally. But if you don’t, then they will be solely dependent on you for food. It is important to provide them with the best hay, grains and nutrition to keep them healthy. And at the same time, it is also important not to overfeed them.
- Keep your goats healthy.
Keeping your goats healthy is one of the most important factors for a successful farm. Give your goats a balanced diet. Keep them free from parasites. You can use natural remedies to keep them safe from this. Have a vet check on your goats every few weeks to make sure that all is well with them.
- Keep them happy
I keep repeating this all the time. One of the most important tips for success on the farm is to keep your animals healthy. If you are raising them for business purposes, then be sure that happy goats will bring you more profit. When animals are content, they produce more milk and put on weight fast. If you make the miserable, it is very likely you won’t see the profit you want. It may seem like an unlikely connection to you, but it’s true.
Whether you are raising goats for profit or as a hobby, love your goats well. Give them enough of your time and attention. Goats are adorable creatures, so you won’t find it too difficult.
Guide to Raising Backyard Goats Successfully: Conclusion
Raising goats is not very difficult, but if you don’t manage them well, it is likely that you won’t see much profit. Goats are a lively addition to your backyard farm. It is important to feed them well, care for them, give them proper shelter and keep them healthy for a successful farm. But nothing beats loving the animals you raise and giving them due respect and care when they need it. This is one of the best tips for a successful farm. Keep your animals happy, and they will profit you in ways more than meat and money!
*All pics are taken from Unsplash.com
