Table Of Content

42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 1 2/20/15 5:59 PM 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 1 2/21/15 4:09 PM JJoobb::0022--4422447766 TTiittllee::MMBBII--DDaaiirryy GGooaatt HHaanndd BBooookk ##117755 DDttpp::220044 PPaaggee::11 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 2 2/20/15 5:59 PM 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 2 2/21/15 4:09 PM JJoobb::0022--4422447766 TTiittllee::MMBBII--DDaaiirryy GGooaatt HHaanndd BBooookk ##117755 DDttpp::220044 PPaaggee::22 the DAIRY GOAT handbook FOR BACKYARD, HOMESTEAD, AND SMALL FARM ann starbard 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 3 2/20/15 5:59 PM 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 3 2/21/15 4:09 PM JJoobb::0022--4422447766 TTiittllee::MMBBII--DDaaiirryy GGooaatt HHaanndd BBooookk (Text) ##117755 DDttpp::220044 PPaaggee::33 Dedication: To Pippy and Simon First published in 2015 by Voyageur Press, an imprint of Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA © 2015 Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc. Text © 2015 Ann Starbard Photography © 2015 Ann Starbard All photographs are from the author’s collection unless noted otherwise. All rights reserved. With the exception of quoting brief passages for the purposes of review, no part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Publisher. The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. All recommendations are made without any guarantee on the part of the author or Publisher, who also disclaims any liability incurred in connection with the use of this data or specific details. This publication has not been prepared, approved, or licensed by capricious goats. We recognize, further, that some words, model names, and designations mentioned herein are the property of the trademark holder. We use them for identification purposes only. This is not an official publication. Voyageur Press titles are also available at discounts in bulk quantity for industrial or sales- promotional use. For details write to Special Sales Manager at Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc., 400 First Avenue North, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 USA. To find out more about our books, visit us online at www.VoyageurPress.com. ISBN: 978-0-7603-4731-7 Digital edition: 978-1-62788-691-8 Softcover edition: 978-0-76034-731-7 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015932391 Acquisitions Editor: Elizabeth Noll Project Manager: Jordan Wiklund Design Manager: James Kegley Cover Designer: Kim Winscher Layout Designer: Kazuko Collins On the front cover: A mother and her kid graze in the grass. On the back cover: Newborn kid ready to play (top); chevre (bottom left); does enjoy the whey from cheese-making (bottom right). On the frontis: Goats mug for the camera. On the title page: Some goats have an almost preternatural sense to understand your needs or language. Talk to them often! Printed in China 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Chapter 1 Getting Started ...... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... . ... . ... . .10 Chapter 2 Breeds and Selection ....... ... .... .. .... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ...24 Chapter 3 Feeding ........... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. ... . ... . ... . .38 Chapter 4 Management .. ... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... . ... . ... . .56 Chapter 5 Business ................... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . .... ...74 Chapter 6 Breeding .......... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. .. .. ... . ... . ... . .82 Chapter 7 Birthing ................... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . .... ..92 Chapter 8 Kid Care ................... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . .... .104 Chapter 9 Health Care .............. .. .... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . .118 Chapter 10 Milk and Milking ... .. .. .... .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. ... . ... . ... .140 Chapter 11 Dairy Products ............ .. ..... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... . ... .150 Chapter 12 The World of Dairy Goats .. .. ... ... .... .. .... . ... . ... . ... . .164 Appendix 1: Kits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178 Appendix 2: Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 Appendix 3: Dairy Animal Record Sheets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190 About the Author . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 5 2/20/15 5:59 PM 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 5 2/21/15 4:09 PM JJoobb::0022--4422447766 TTiittllee::MMBBII--DDaaiirryy GGooaatt HHaanndd BBooookk (Text) ##117755 DDttpp::220044 PPaaggee::55 Introduction G oats are truly one of the most A few dairy goats in the backyard can supply adaptable and productive a family with nutritious and flavorful milk to domesticated animals on our planet. drink and make into other foods. They can also They are found thriving in cold, mountainous provide meat from the raising and slaughtering areas; on warm, tropical islands; and so many of offspring, and manure for fertilizing gardens. places in between. They thrive on landscapes Goats will eat or browse overgrown and invasive and feed on plants that challenge other animals. plants, cleaning up underutilized species while Domesticated thousands of years ago, goats feeding their bodies rich nutrients. At the same continue to find their way into the spotlight. time, with their smaller hoof print, agility, Goats are said to be one of the most popular and selective feeding habits, goats, in limited- small farm animals in the United States today. resource areas with sparse vegetation, can still The reasons are many. provide for us humans. Thus the dairy goat’s Dairy goat eating mineral-rich nettles (Urtica dioica). 6 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 6 2/20/15 5:59 PM 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 6 2/21/15 4:09 PM JJoobb::0022--4422447766 TTiittllee::MMBBII--DDaaiirryy GGooaatt HHaanndd BBooookk (Text) ##117755 DDttpp::220044 PPaaggee::66 Goats have many endearing qualities. 7 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 7 2/20/15 5:59 PM 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 7 2/21/15 4:09 PM JJoobb::0022--4422447766 TTiittllee::MMBBII--DDaaiirryy GGooaatt HHaanndd BBooookk (Text) ##117755 DDttpp::220044 PPaaggee::77 Raising dairy goats is rewarding, challenging, and fun. efficient and adaptable nature is perhaps part of The Dairy Goat Handbook will help you a local answer for the environmental, economic, learn about dairy goats and how to add their and food safety challenges we face today. lively spirits, nutritional food products, and Of course, some feel goats have a downside: resourcefulness to your life. that they “question authority.” Many are familiar Let’s look at the advantages of dairy goats. with the biblical references to sheep following on First and foremost, they are adaptable and the right, while goats swing and jump to the left, hardy animals. They thrive and reproduce with listening to their own tune. This unpredictable simple but attentive care. Their smaller size and devilish nature of goats is well expressed at maturity makes goats easier to handle than in history, literature, and even pop culture. other food-producing animals, and they are The frolicking forest god of Greek mythology, generally gentle. Their space and feeding needs Pan, is a classic goat-like figure, while a favorite are minimal. Overall, goats cost less money to 2013 Doritos commercial features a manically acquire and keep. munching goat. Story lines change, yet the impish They eat a variety of plant material: grasses, goat behavior continues to trend. Why? weeds, leaves, small browse, trees, and bushes. Goats have a curiosity that is often They are able to make use of less expensive misunderstood. Take some time to be feeds, which surprisingly are often higher in with goats and you will soon discover their mineral content than conventional feeds. Goats endearing characteristics. Innocently, they are selective feeders, making them good brush- create a unique and lasting bond. They are clearing animals. They eat a little here and a fun companions despite their independent little there, acquiring a variety of plants to meet spirit. Bring goats into your life and you will their dietary needs. quickly learn many lessons both about goats The milk they produce is nutritious and and yourself. In addition to honing your basic flavorful. A single goat of good breeding can animal-raising abilities, goats will challenge easily produce enough milk for a family to your wit, patience, and fence-building skills. drink and use for making dairy products such You will develop GOAT-titude! GOAT-titude as cheese and kefir. Goat milk is more easily is the mental state that is necessary to thrive digested and does not produce as many allergic with the inquisitive, adventurous, adaptable, reactions as cow milk. Production and body impish, intelligent, laughable, and energetic type can be improved in a relatively short behavior of goats. period of time. 8 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 8 2/20/15 5:59 PM 42476_Dairy Goat Hand Book_001-192.indd 8 2/21/15 4:09 PM JJoobb::0022--4422447766 TTiittllee::MMBBII--DDaaiirryy GGooaatt HHaanndd BBooookk (Text) ##117755 DDttpp::220044 PPaaggee::88