Disclaimer:

The following guidelines reflect our practices on our goat farm. We do not assume any responsibility for the welfare of your animals when these recommendations are implemented. It is essential to consult a knowledgeable veterinarian to create a care plan tailored to your goats’ needs.

Diet Recommendations

For Kids Under 6 Months:

  • Southern States Medicated Goat Feed (Sweet or Pelleted)

  • Tractor Supply Medicated Goat Feed (Pelleted)

  • Purina Goat Chow (Medicated)

For Kids/Goats Over 6 Months:

  • Southern States Goat Pellets (Non-Medicated)

  • Purina Goat Chow (Non-Medicated)

For All Ages:

  • Coastal Hay or Bermuda Hay should always be available (24/7). Fresh hay should be provided at least every other day.

  • -Feed up to 1 cup of pellet feed per animal daily.

  • Ensure clean, fresh water is available daily.

  • Monitor your goats’ condition:

  • If they are too thin, increase food intake.

  • If they are overweight, reduce food.

  • If they are not eating hay, lessen the amount of pellet feed.

Supplements/Minerals:

For Kids Under 6 Months:

  • Goat Nutri-Drench: Follow packaging instructions to enhance the immune system during the first month in a new home.

  • Free-Choice GOAT Minerals formulated specifically for goats:

  • Purina Goat Mineral

  • Sweetix Goat Mineral

  • Southern States Goat Miner

  • Golden Blend Goat Mineral

  • Baking Soda: Goats will consume this if they feel digestive discomfort.

Shelter:

  • Provide a clean, shaded, draft-free, and dry shelter where goats can comfortably rest. If it's comfortable for you, it's likely comfortable for them.

  • Regularly check for wet bedding, ammonia odors, and feces, and remove soiled bedding promptly.

  • Recommended bedding materials: Pine shavings, hay, or straw.

  • Agricultural powdered lime can help neutralize ammonia but must be covered with bedding before letting goats back inside.

Deworming:

We recommend deworming your goats every six months or as needed to manage and prevent parasite infestations. Use a rotation of dewormers to avoid resistance.

Recommended Dewormers:

  • Fenbendazole: 1 cc per 10 pounds (treats lungworms, roundworms, stomach worms, tapeworms, intestinal worms, nodular worms, liver flukes).

  • Valbazen: 1 cc per 10 pounds (treats lungworms, roundworms, stomach worms, tapeworms, intestinal worms, liver flukes; **do not give to pregnant animals**).

  • Ivermectin: 1 cc per 30 pounds (treats lungworms, roundworms, lice, mange mites, external parasites).

  • Cydectin: 1 cc per 20-25 pounds (treats lungworms, roundworms, lice, mange mites, barberpole worms).

  • Albon: 1 cc per 5 pounds on the first day, then 1 cc per 10 pounds on days 2-5 (treats coccidia).

Vaccines:

  • CD/T: Administered at 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and then annually.

  • First Aid Kit Essentials:

  • Pepto: For diarrhea treatment.

  • Aulmet, Albon, or Corrid: For coccidia treatment.

  • Goat Nutri-Drench: Immune booster for weak goats.

  • Penicillin (Pen-G): Antibiotic.

  • Karo Syrup: For weak or down goats.

  • Re-Sorb/Bounce Back: For bottle babies.

  • 1-2 of the dewormers listed above.

Great Resources:

Supply Catalogs

  • https://www.jefferspet.com/pages/livestock

  • https://www.caprinesupply.com

  • https://www.valleyvet.com

  • https://www.pbsanimalhealth.com/

  • https://www.fiascofarm.com/goats/index.htm

  • Goat Keeping 101" by Caprine Supply

Bottle Babies

Feeding Schedule:

  • 2-4 weeks: Bottle feed 3 times daily.

  • 4-6 weeks: Bottle feed 2 times daily (1st CD/T vaccine at 4 weeks).

  • 6-8 weeks: Bottle feed 1 time daily (1st deworming).

  • 8-12 weeks: Can begin weaning; bottles as treats are fine (2nd CD/T at 12 weeks).

    Recommended Milk:

  • Save-A-Kid

  • Southern States Kid Milk

Transition to new milk gradually by mixing with the previous milk.

Health Concerns - Immediate Vet Consultation Required:

  • Diarrhea

  • Bloating/distended stomach

  • Grinding teeth

  • Runny nose/coughing

Must-Have Items:

  • Re-Sorb/Bounce Back: For diarrhea to prevent dehydration.

  • Albon

  • Goat Nutri-Drench

Signs of Illness - Call Your Veterinarian NOW:

  • Loss of appetite

  • Lethargy

  • Runny nose or eyes

  • Coughing

  • Loose or otherwise abnormal stool

  • For diarrhea: Administer 6 cc of Pepto every hour until symptoms resolve. Diarrhea often results from dietary changes, overeating, or parasites.

Bloating/Distended Stomach:

  • Caused by various factors. If your goat shows signs of pain, refuses to eat, or exhibits excessive teeth grinding, contact your vet immediately. Meanwhile, offer mineral oil or safflower oil, and consider a soapy enema with Dawn dish soap to facilitate gas passage.

  • Common causes of bloat include overeating, new grasses, or poisonous plants.