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Caring for your Boer goats year-round requires attention to detail and a good routine that ensures your herd stays healthy, strong, and productive. At Ellinger Boer Goats, we’ve been raising goats for decades, and we’ve learned what works best when it comes to keeping a herd thriving through all seasons. Whether you’re a seasoned goat farmer or new to the game, here are some tried-and-true tips and best practices for maintaining a happy, healthy herd throughout the year.
How to Take Care of Goats
Whether you’re raising goats for meat, show, or as part of a diversified farm, there are some key elements to caring for them that ensure their health and productivity. In this primer, we’ll cover everything you need to know about raising and caring for goats, from nutrition and housing to breeding and health management.
Understanding Boer Goat Characteristics
Before diving into the care regimen, it’s important to understand what makes Boer goats unique. Boer goats, known for their muscular build and rapid growth, are one of the most popular breeds for meat production. Originally from South Africa, these goats have earned a reputation for being hardy, adaptable, and easy to manage, making them a favorite among both novice and experienced farmers.
They are typically white with a distinctive brown or red head and boast a strong, muscular body. These goats grow quickly, making them ideal for meat production, but they are also popular in show competitions due to their size, conformation, and docile nature.
Boer goats are known for:
- Rapid growth rates, making them highly efficient for meat production.
- Hardiness and ability to adapt to various climates and environments.
- Good mothering ability, which is essential for maintaining a productive herd.
- Docile temperament, making them easy to handle and care for.
Obviously boer goats are our specialty and we love them, but the advice in this article can apply to goats as a whole too.
Nutrition: The Foundation of a Healthy Herd
Proper nutrition is critical for Boer goats, as it directly affects their growth, reproductive health, and overall vitality. Here are the key components of a balanced diet:
Forage and Hay: Goats are natural foragers and do best when given access to quality pasture. Good forage consists of grasses, legumes, and shrubs, which provide essential nutrients. However, in the winter or during times of poor pasture quality, supplementing with high-quality hay is necessary. Make sure your hay is free from mold and dust, as these can lead to respiratory issues.
Grain: Grain should be used as a supplement to the diet, especially for pregnant, lactating, or growing goats. A good-quality grain with the right balance of protein and fat is essential for maintaining a healthy herd. A grain mix containing around 14-16% protein is ideal for Boer goats. However, the amount and type of grain you provide should change depending on the stage of life your goats are in:
- Lactating Goats: Does that are nursing kids will need more grain to maintain their energy levels and milk production. Look for grain mixes that are high in protein and healthy fats to support milk production.
- Pregnant Does: During the last trimester of pregnancy (goats have a 5-month gestation period), it’s important to reduce the amount of grain you feed. Overfeeding grain at this stage can lead to oversized kids, which can cause birthing difficulties. Stick to a quality hay and grass diet, reducing grain intake as needed.
Minerals: Free-choice minerals are an essential part of a Boer goat’s diet. Copper, selenium, and zinc are especially important for maintaining health. Goats are prone to copper deficiency, so make sure they have access to goat-specific mineral mixes, as some livestock minerals, such as those for sheep, have lower copper levels.
Water: Perhaps the most important aspect of goat care is ensuring they have constant access to clean, fresh water. Proper hydration supports digestion, milk production, and overall health.
- Tip: Check water sources multiple times a day during freezing weather to ensure they haven’t iced over.
Housing: Creating a Safe and Comfortable Environment
Boer goats are hardy, but they still need proper shelter to protect them from extreme weather and predators. A well-designed goat shelter should:
- Provide protection from rain, wind, and snow.
- Have good ventilation to prevent the buildup of moisture and ammonia.
- Include dry bedding, such as straw or wood shavings, to keep the goats comfortable and reduce the risk of disease.
- Offer enough space for the goats to move freely. Overcrowding can lead to stress and the spread of disease.
A sturdy fence is also crucial, as goats are notorious escape artists. Use woven wire fencing that is at least 4 feet high to keep them secure.
Health Management: Keeping Your Goats in Top Shape
Maintaining the health of your Boer goats requires regular attention to preventive care and disease management. Here are the basics of keeping your herd healthy:
Hoof Trimming and Coat Maintenance
Regular hoof trimming is a critical part of maintaining the overall health and mobility of your Boer goats. Overgrown hooves can lead to discomfort, difficulty walking, and in severe cases, infections like foot rot. A good rule of thumb is to trim your goats’ hooves every 3-4 months, though some may need trimming more frequently, depending on their environment. Goats kept on softer ground tend to have faster-growing hooves compared to those on rocky or uneven terrain, which naturally wears them down. When trimming, make sure the hoof is flat and level, and be mindful not to cut too deep, as it can cause bleeding and pain.
Along with hoof care, regular coat maintenance is important for a goat’s health. A clean, well-groomed coat helps to prevent skin issues, matting, and external parasites like mites or fleas. Regular brushing helps to remove dirt, loose hair, and debris, promoting good circulation and keeping the skin healthy. During the shedding season, brushing also helps manage the loose hair that can otherwise become tangled or matted. Maintaining a clean coat not only improves the goat’s overall appearance but also ensures they stay comfortable and healthy year-round.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations are a critical part of a preventive health plan. Key vaccinations include:
- CD&T: Protects against enterotoxemia (overeating disease) and tetanus.
- Chlamydia Vaccine: Recommended for breeding does to prevent abortions caused by chlamydia.
- Mastitis Vaccine: Helps reduce the risk of mastitis in lactating does, especially during kidding season.
Consult with a veterinarian to develop a vaccination schedule suited to your herd.
Worming & Parasite Control
Internal parasites are a common issue in goats. Regular worming is important, as parasites can quickly spread through a herd if not controlled. Deworm your Boer goats every 3-4 months, rotating wormers to prevent resistance.
There are several types of wormers (also known as dewormers) available, and it’s important to rotate them to avoid building up resistance in parasites. If parasites become immune to a wormer, it can be very difficult to control them.
Here are some common wormers and considerations for their use:
- Safe for Pregnant or Lactating Goats:
- Safe-Guard (fenbendazole): A common choice for worming and safe for pregnant and lactating does.
- Cydectin (moxidectin): Also safe for pregnant and lactating does and effective against internal parasites.
- Not Safe for Pregnant or Lactating Goats:
- Valbazen (albendazole): While effective, this wormer should not be used during pregnancy as it can cause birth defects.
- Ivermectin: Not safe for pregnant does but often used in other cases.
There are other worming options, including injectable wormers, pelleted feed wormers, and oral liquid or paste wormers. Make sure to follow the dosing guidelines and consider your goat’s life stage when choosing a wormer.
Fly, Mite, and Flea Control
External parasites such as flies, mites, and fleas can cause significant discomfort and health issues for goats. Regularly inspect your herd for signs of infestation and use appropriate treatments, especially during warmer months when parasites are more active.
Along with internal parasites, external parasites like mites, fleas, and flies can become a nuisance, especially in the warmer months. Regularly check your goats for signs of external parasites, and use appropriate treatments as needed. Fly control can be especially important during the summer, as flies can cause stress and lead to conditions like flystrike.
Tip: Keep the living areas clean and dry to minimize fly and mite infestations.
Intermittent Use of Antibiotics
While prevention is always the best approach, there may be times when antibiotics are necessary to treat or prevent illness in your herd. Some farmers choose to use intermittent antibiotics during high-risk periods, like the beginning of the kidding season, to prevent bacterial infections. Always consult with your veterinarian before using antibiotics to ensure you’re administering the correct dose and type.
Breeding Boer Goats: Best Practices for a Successful Herd
Breeding is an exciting and rewarding part of raising Boer goats, but it requires careful management to ensure both does and kids remain healthy. Boer goats have a 5-month gestation period, and proper care before, during, and after pregnancy is essential.
Breeding Season: Most Boer goats breed in the fall, but they can breed year-round in some climates. It’s important to monitor your does for signs of heat (estrus) and ensure that they are in good health before breeding.
Care During Pregnancy: During pregnancy, especially the last trimester, nutrition is critical. Avoid overfeeding grain during the last few months to prevent birthing complications. However, lactating does will need additional grain to support milk production once they have kidded.
Kidding: When it’s time for kidding, ensure your does have a clean, dry area to give birth. Monitor them closely for signs of labor, and be prepared to assist if needed. Most does will kid without issue, but knowing how to help during a difficult birth is essential.
Goat Showmanship and Handling
If you plan to show your Boer goats, or if you simply want them to be well-behaved on the farm, regular handling and training are important. Start early by getting your goats used to being led on a halter, handled, and groomed. Practice setting them up for shows, and make sure they’re comfortable with standing still and being touched by strangers.
Showing Boer goats requires a combination of good genetics, training, and the ability to present the animal in its best light. Regular grooming, including trimming hooves and ensuring their coat is clean and shiny, is essential for a good showing.
The Rewards of Raising Boer Goats
Raising Boer goats is a rewarding experience that combines the satisfaction of caring for animals with the opportunity to produce a high-quality product. Whether you’re raising them for meat, show, or personal enjoyment, the key to success is a combination of good nutrition, proper housing, health management, and breeding practices. With the right approach, your Boer goats will thrive, and you’ll enjoy the many rewards that come with raising these amazing animals.
At EBG, we’ve dedicated our lives to mastering the art of Boer goat care, and we’re always happy to share what we’ve learned with fellow farmers and breeders. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your herd management, following these best practices will help ensure your Boer goats stay healthy and productive for years to come.
