Meat Goat Farming Tips - 3 Critical Considerations

Meat Goat Farming Tips - 3 Critical Considerations

Meat goat production has been existent for quite a long time, but the profitability of the market in some parts of the United States is only starting to be discovered. Since the time when man found out that goats are a good source of food, milk, and clothing, meat goat production became a popular form of livelihood for a lot of people.

Goat farming is not a hard industry and you will definitely find a lot of people raising goats in most countries all over the world. Are you thinking of starting one for yourself? This article will try to give you a head start in goat farming. You will need to consider three basic things; these are location, goat breed, and your area's proximity to veterinary help.

1) Location

Goats are known to thrive in groups, thus the space or area is a primary concern. Goats grow best when they are able to roam around freely that is why it is necessary that you choose a large open space where you will raise your goats. When you want to venture into meat goat farming, you will need to scout for wide open spaces. It is also recommended that you look for a place that is away from the city. Pollution and other factors can affect the growth of the goats. It is also important to check out with the local government on what permits and requirements you need to accomplish before you can even start with your production.

2) Choosing the Goat Breed

The success of a keeping goats for meat business depends on what goat breeds you will choose. First determine why you are starting a goat farm - what is your main purpose? Is it for milk production? Are you raising goats for their meat? Or it is because of their hair? You might even want to market them as pets. It is important that you set a definite goat because there are a wide variety of goat breeds that are best suited for milk production, for meat, even for their hair. That is why you need to do an extensive research to get information and compare the attributes of the different goat breeds.

3) Proximity to Veterinary Help

There is also a need for you to get the expertise of a reliable veterinarian. In order to raise healthy and strong goats, you need to have partner veterinarian to help you. The success of your meat goat production venture will also be dependent on how healthy and strong your animals are.

Now that you are given a few tips to give you a head start, you can now start mapping out plans for your meat goat production business.

How To Build A Goat House Steps

 

How To Build A Goat House Steps

Like humans, animals also need proper nurturing and caring. They have the instinct to find food whenever they are hungry and shelter whenever they are caught in very cold or very hot weather mostly for warm blooded ones. Goats, especially, are no exception. Since the earlier times, goats have been very useful to man as domesticated animals in the farm as source of milk, butter and fiber. Their skin and hair are also used as clothing materials. Over the years, goats have also become pets in many parts of the world. However, goats of different breeds are widely seen in farms. Their meat known as 'cabrito' or 'mutton' can also be sold in the market. These are the main reasons why farmers intend to make their goats as healthy as possible for future use. One of the details that affect goats a lot is the shelter. Long time farmers have always been careful when it comes building goat house. They know so well the demands of goats in terms of weather. Some farmers though who are planning to raise their own flock tend to take the risk as they lack the knowledge on how to build a goat house. This should not be the case.

Naturally, goats are not sensitive when it comes to their abode as long as they can adjust to the temperature and as long as they are protected from the harsh weather. There are instances when goats are left to die amidst flooding or too much coldness due their poorly built house. The number one enemy of farmers that has huge impact on the goats is the weather. Cold weathers tend to give the goats pneumonia which often lead to death.

If you are decided venturing into meat goat farming and putting up your own goat farm, it is high-time you draw you plans. Below are some tips that would give you an idea on how to build a goat house.

Tips on how to build goat house:

1. The first concern would be the temperature. If you plan to build or renovate their shelter, make sure that there is enough shade against sunlight or heavy rain. You may create a plan beforehand to determine the size and form of the shelter and the materials to be used.

2. The next thing to take into account is the spot where you have to build the goat house. Essentially, the goats should be secured from the threat of possible flood. The shelter should be positioned, therefore, in a flat and higher ground.

3. You must also determine the current of the air when building the goat house.

4. Plan your budget very well but do not risk your goats' safety as this may mean, as a farmer, a loss on your part. Ask the experts to help you choose materials that are of good quality but cheaper.

5. In building the goat house, you do not have to be overly meticulous but not too lax either.

These simple instructions on how to build a goat house would hopefully be a useful guide.

Boer Goat Farming

Boer Goat Farming

Meat goat farming is being practiced widely today. Not only does it promote to the wellness of the environment but it could be a viable source of income. This article will take a quick glance at Boer goat farming and what it entails.

The Boer breed originated from South Africa during the 1990s for the production of meat. The name was coined form the Dutch term "Boer" which means farmer. The goat was a result of the cross breeding of goats from Europe and India. Unlike the Angora goats, they are known for their excellent meat which is generally attributed to selective breeding.

Boer goat farming is simpler than any other goat farming. Boer goats are renowned for their strong resistance against diseases. This is a great contributor for their lifespan which could reach up to 14 years. Moreover, they are highly adaptive against unfavorable environments.

Generally speaking, the Boer has a white body, a red head and long ears that resemble those of the Nubian goat. They have a very manageable temperament and a high growth and fertility rates. Unlike other dairy and fiber goat breed, Boer does are exceptionally good mothers to their offspring. The average size of mature Boer does is 200 to 220 pounds while 240 to 3000 for the bucks.

A major factor that makes Boer goat production easier is the goats' fertility rate. Since Boers are highly polyestrous, they could mate as much as they can all year round. With this good fertility rate and with proper goat farming practices, six to nine Boer kids can be produced over two years.

Boer goat farming is particularly rampant in New Zealand, Australia and United States. Compared to breeding sheep or cattle, goat farming is more lucrative. The focal point for Boer business is meat quality. And the drivers to produce high quality meat are proper nutrition and environment management.

Farming of Boer breed is very different from farming sheep or cattle. Some use the Boers to enhance the environment by elimination of weeds. Some use them as supplements for sheep and cattle. Others simply focus on mere Boer breeds.

A great consideration for raising Boer goat is fencing. Once a Boer knows how to escape, it would be difficult to keep it in. Electric fencing could be an option. The thing to consider in fencing is the trade off between the cost lost when a goat dies and the cost of setting up the fence.

How To Start Goat Farming

How To Start Goat Farming

Many people today are starting to raise farm goats and are continuously reading manuals and guides on how to start goat farming. 

If you intend to raise them for their meat or milk, then it is important that you start with some of the basics. Ask your local breeders which type of goat is best to begin your goat farming. Usually, they will give you a breed that is easily available and accessible, so start with that. The next step is to build a pen that will hold your farm goats in place and will provide them with ample space when they begin to breed.


Your goat pen should be at least 20 feet by 20 feet and with a fence tall enough to prevent predators or the goats themselves from harm.

Wire mesh cages are best because it can give you enough visibility to check them from time to time. You will be amazed at how easy it is to start goat farming. In any guide about how to start goat farming you will always read something about goat nutrition. When buying food for your goats make a good ratio that consists of greens and supplements that will keep them healthy all year round. Remember that goats are year round breeders, so keeping them at tiptop shape all the time is important to be sure that you have healthy kids born every time.


Goats are very easy to maintain. Goats give birth easily that your assistance is almost always not needed. 

Hence, you do not have to worry about anything. Look at the newborn kids if they are able to get milk from their mothers, otherwise, you would have to use feeding bottles to feed them yourself. Many people find that goat farming is a very rewarding activity and rightfully so. Each goat sold can fetch anywhere from 50 bucks to 300 bucks a piece. When you intend to breed goats for their meat, it is advisable to give them milk from eight to ten weeks. After which, you can turn to grains and pasture to help them gain weight in the process. Choose a breed that you can have valuable information like their optimum weight measurements. This is very helpful later on when you begin to have a bigger goat population for selling in the market.

The great thing about how to start goat farming is how easy and fun it can be. Most people will not believe how profitable it is and with the population of goats increasing each year, now is the best time to start dairy or meat goat farming.