10 Things Every Homesteader Must Know Before Buying Or Raising Backyard Goats!

Here’s everything homesteaders need to know before raising goats! First, know that goats are a handful. They’re surprisingly smart, stubborn, and always looking for trouble. You’ll find yourself laughing, shaking your head, and maybe chasing a goat or two before breakfast. But if you’re up for the ride, you’ll never be bored.

Adorable pygmy goats standing and gazing into the camera.

Sound enticing?

Then let’s have an honest talk about what all homesteaders should know before buying their first goat!

10 Things Every Homesteader Should Know Before Raising Goats

Here are the essential truths that will set you up for success with your future goat herd.

1. Goats Are Master Escape Artists

A funny and funky goat walking along a tall wooden fence.

If you think your fencing is secure, think again! Goats are escape artists with a knack for finding the tiniest gaps and wiggling right out. Woven wire fencing at least four or five feet high is your best bet. Check for loose staples, sagging sections, and any spot you might have missed. Because your goats definitely won’t miss it!

Top 3 Fencing Tips:

Use 4×4-inch woven wire mesh (anything larger and kids (young goats) will squeeze through).
Install fence posts every 8 feet maximum for stability against climbing goats.
Add a hot wire at chest height to discourage fence walking and climbing.

Many seasoned goat owners swear by the saying: “A fence that won’t hold water definitely won’t hold goats!”

2. They Need Companionship

Three lovely blackberry sheep rams standing in a small cave.

Goats are herd animals. If you keep just one, you’re asking for trouble! You’ll get nonstop bleating, broken fences, and a bad attitude. So, plan for at least two goats, even if you think one will do. They need buddies to play, nap, and snuggle with. Otherwise, they’ll invent their own (often destructive) entertainment.

Top 3 Companionship Tips:

Start with two goats of similar age to avoid bullying and establish good bonds.
If adding to an existing herd, quarantine new arrivals for 30 days first.
Provide multiple feeding stations so timid goats can eat without competition.

Some areas even have ordinances requiring multiple goats for this very reason. Think of it as buying happiness insurance for both you and your flock.

3. Milking Your Goats Is Like Having A Job

A homesteading farmer hugging an adorable tiny goat.

Milking dairy goats is like having a part-time or full-time job! And, it easily lasts for 10 months after they give birth. You have to milk them twice per day. During peak production, they need milking every 12 hours. This rhythm helps to maintain supply and prevent painful engorgement. Missing milkings can lead to mastitis, reduced production, and one very uncomfortable goat.

Top 3 Milking Tips:

Maintain consistent 12-hour intervals (even a few hours late can reduce production).
Keep detailed milking records to track each goat’s health and productivity patterns.
Learn to recognize early signs of mastitis: a hot, swollen udder or clumpy milk.

Before committing to dairy goats, make sure you have a reliable backup plan for weekends away, family emergencies, or that inevitable bout of flu that will strike at the worst possible moment.

4. Their Diet Isn’t “Anything Goes”

An adorable and happy goat grazing in an unkempt farmyard pasture.

The old cartoon myth is wrong. Goats don’t eat tin cans. They’re browsers, not grazers. They prefer weeds, shrubs, and brambles, and some plants are outright toxic (azaleas, rhododendrons, yews). They’ll sample everything with their lips first, and they prefer eating off the ground. A goat’s ideal diet includes quality hay, browse (woody plants and weeds), and a small amount of grain appropriate for their life stage. Learn to identify toxic plants in your area, such as oleander, wild cherry, and foxglove, which can be fatal.

Top 3 Feeding Tips:

Provide 2-4 pounds of quality hay per goat daily as the foundation of their diet.
Offer free-choice loose minerals explicitly formulated for goats, not sheep or cattle.
Remove any wilted cherry, peach, or plum leaves immediately (they become toxic when wilted).

The silver lining? Goats are fantastic at clearing overgrown areas of brambles and invasive species.

5. Hooves Don’t Trim Themselves

An epic wild goat with shaggy hair and pointy horns.

Every few weeks, you’ll need to trim their hooves. Neglect leads to lameness and infection. It’s as important as feeding and watering. Unlike horses, goats don’t naturally wear down their hooves enough in most domestic settings. Overgrown hooves can cause lameness, make goats susceptible to foot rot and other infections, and even change their gait permanently. The good news is that hoof trimming, while initially intimidating, becomes easy with practice. You’ll need quality hoof shears and a comfortable restraint system (many goat owners use a milking stand for this purpose).

Top 3 Hoof Care Tips:

Trim hooves every 6-8 weeks or when they start to curl over the sole.
Clean out any packed dirt and debris before each trimming session.
Watch for signs of foot rot: foul smell, black discharge, or severe limping.

Start handling your goats’ feet when they’re young to make this essential task easier.

6. Parasites Are the Silent Enemy

A lovely pygmy goat standing in a field with dandelions.

Internal parasites (worms, coccidia) are a constant threat. Learn how to monitor FAMACHA scores, rotate pastures, and avoid blanket-deworming alone. Barber pole worms are dangerous and can kill a goat within days during heavy infestations. The FAMACHA system teaches you to check the color of your goats’ inner eyelids to assess anemia levels, a key indicator of worm load. Fecal egg counts, proper pasture management, and maintaining good body condition are your best weapons against parasites.

Top 3 Parasite Prevention Tips:

Check FAMACHA scores monthly (pale pink or white inner eyelids indicate dangerous anemia).
Rotate pastures every 3-4 weeks to break parasite life cycles naturally.
Only deworm individual goats that actually need it based on fecal tests or symptoms.

Wet conditions and overcrowding exacerbate parasite problems.

7. Goats Aren’t Small Cows

A lovely goat standing on the back of a pony.

Their mineral needs, behaviors, and digestive systems differ from those of other farm animals. Copper deficiency, for example, is a goat-specific issue that cattle and sheep don’t share in the same way. Goats need higher levels of copper than sheep or cattle. And feeding sheep minerals to goats can lead to serious deficiencies. They also prefer to browse from chest height rather than putting their heads down like grazing cattle. Goats are more agile climbers, more social, and generally more mischievous than cattle are. Understanding these nuances will help you provide appropriate housing, fencing, nutrition, and management.

Top 3 Species-Specific Tips:

Never use sheep minerals or feed for goats (they need higher copper levels that are toxic to sheep).
Expect climbing behavior and design accordingly with sturdy gates and tall fences.
Plan for more social interaction and mental stimulation than you would with cattle.

What works for your cows won’t necessarily work for your goats!

8. Shelter Matters More Than You Think

A lovely goat relaxing in a warm safe and clean barn.

Goats are NOT picky with where they sleep. But they hate rain, dampness, wind, and mud. A draft-free, dry shelter with good airflow helps their health and sanity. A simple three-sided shelter that blocks prevailing winds and allows air circulation will help keep your goats comfortable. Wet conditions lead to hoof problems, increased parasite loads, and respiratory issues. The shelter doesn’t need to be fancy, but it should provide at least 15 square feet per goat and be positioned to drain well.

Top 3 Shelter Tips:

Build shelters to face away from prevailing winds but allow cross-ventilation at the top.
Provide at least 15 square feet of covered space per goat for comfort.
Elevate the shelter floor or ensure excellent drainage to prevent mud and dampness.

Good ventilation prevents the nasty ammonia buildup from urine, which can cause respiratory problems.

9. Breeding Brings Complexity

An adorable pygmy goat exploring on the grass on a lovely sunny day.

Intact bucks are strong, smelly, and often aggressive. Goat kidding can be joyful. But also heartbreaking if complications arise. Be sure you’re ready for that responsibility. Bucks in rut urinate on themselves, make strange faces, and can become pushy or aggressive. (Kind of like male sheep headbutting!) Kidding usually goes smoothly, but when it doesn’t, you need to be prepared to assist or call a vet immediately. Complicated births, rejected kids, and milk fever are real possibilities.

Top 3 Breeding Tips:

Keep detailed breeding records, including dates, buck used, and expected kidding times.
Prepare a kidding kit with towels, iodine, lubricant, and emergency vet contact info.
Consider using artificial insemination to avoid keeping a smelly, potentially aggressive buck.

Have a kidding kit ready, know the signs of trouble, and establish a relationship with a reliable farmyard animal vet before you need one!

10. Goats Teach You About Freedom And Limits

A happy and funny goat jumping for joy in a field with flowers.

Goats test your fences, patience, and sometimes, your heart. They remind us that life is about partnership rather than control. They have distinct personalities, form bonds with humans, and approach life with curiosity. They’ll teach you problem-solving skills you never knew you needed. And remind you that the best relationships come from mutual respect rather than dominance.

Top 3 Philosophy Tips:

Maintain consistent daily routines. (Goats thrive on predictability and structure.)
Practice patience and flexibility (goats will challenge your plans and assumptions daily).
Build relationships through positive interactions, treats, and gentle handling from day one.

Embrace the goat chaos! Celebrate the small victories. And prepare to fall entirely in love with these remarkable creatures.

Conclusion

Two lovely white goats standing on a bright green lawn.

If you’re still excited after reading about midnight kidding emergencies and daily milking schedules, you may be ready for the goat life. Every goat owner started exactly where you are now. Armed with enthusiasm and a head full of questions. Start small. Connect with your local goat community. And prepare for the adventure of a lifetime!

What about you?

Are you going to raise backyard goats?
What type of goat breeds will you consider?
How many goats will you get?

Thanks for reading.

Have a great day!

10 Things Every Homesteader Must Know Before Buying Or Raising Backyard Goats!