Raising Goats For Dummies

Realize the joy and benefits of raising and caring for goats

Interest in raising goats is on the increase as people become more concerned about where their food comes from, what is in it, and how it is produced. Goats have become more than just a source for food — they make great companions and helpers, too. This helpful and friendly guide introduces you to all aspects of owning and caring for goats so that you, too, can benefit from raising these popular animals.

Goats 101 — get the basics on goat breeds, goat terminology, goat behavior, and choosing the best type of goat to suit your needs

Bring your goats home — learn how to purchase goats, prepare to transport them home, and get the gear you need to care for them

Goat health and breeding — get the lowdown on what you need to keep your goats healthy, from testing and immunizations to common goat health problems

Live self–sufficiently and make money from your goats — learn about working in partnership with your goats to provide sustenance for your family and to make money from milk or meat

Open the book and find:

The benefits of owning goats as companions or helpers

What to expect from your goats

Tips for keeping your goats safe and healthy

A rundown of goat breeding, pregnancy, and kidding

How to get your property ready for a goat

An explanation of diseases to watch for

Tips for constructing a simple shelter

What and how to feed your goat

Training techniques to keep your herd in order

Part I: Getting Acquainted with Goats.

Chapter 1: Discovering the Joys of Raising Goats.

Chapter 2: Glimpsing Vital Goat Statistics.

Chapter 3: Knowing Your Capra Aegagrus Hircus (Goat, That Is).

Chapter 4: Getting Your Property Ready for a Goat.

Part II: Bringing Your Goats Home.

Chapter 5: Home Sweet Homestead: Sheltering Your Goats.

Chapter 6: Dinner Time: What and How to Feed Your Goats.

Chapter 7: Getting Your Goats: Choosing, Buying, and Bringing Goats Home.

Chapter 8: Working with Your Goats.

Chapter 9: Handling Routine Care and Important One–Time Tasks.

Part III: Glimpsing Goat Health and Breeding.

Chapter 10: Outlining Basic Health Care Requirements.

Chapter 11: Addressing Common Health Problems and Ailments.

Chapter 12: Breeding and Looking After Pregnant Goats.

Chapter 13: Now Comes the Fun Part: Kids!

Part IV: Living Sustainably and Making Money from Your Goats.

Chapter 14: Discovering Goat Milk: How to Get, Use, and Sell It.

Chapter 15: Goat Meat: From Breeding to Selling and Beyond.

Chapter 16: Further Benefi ts of Goats: Fiber, Breeding, Weed Control, and More.

Part V: The Part of Tens.

Chapter 17: Ten Common Mistakes First–Time Goat Owners Make.

Chapter 18: Ten Tips for Showing Your Goat.

Chapter 19: Ten Misconceptions about Goats.

Appendix: Goat–Milk Recipes.

Index.

Cheryl K. Smith has raised a small herd of dairy goats under the herd name Mystic Acres since 1998. She published Ruminations: The Nigerian Dwarf and Mini Dairy Goat magazine and Goat Health Care. She writes a blog (ruminationsongoats.blogspot.com) and is an expert on goats at allexperts.com.