BABY GOAT CHECKLIST
Your baby is leaving Joyous Acres to join your family! We are so excited for you and them! This checklist includes the basics to have on your farm to continue supporting their joyful life and ensure they remain in good health.
Click on each item that is underlined, either on your smartphone or your computer, and it will take you to the items for purchase or videos to watch.
Diet & Nutrition
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Kalmbach baby medicated grain mix with Black Oil Sunflower Seed (BOSS); After one year old Kalmbach Goat Feed + Boss
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Minerals – Place in a separate feeder daily
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Baking Soda – Place in a separate feeder daily
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Good Hay – not rained on or moldy
Cleanliness
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Sweep poop off benches and play equipment every morning and evening and spray with Bye Bye Insects Spray
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Spot clean every day in their barn and pick up large areas of manure and discard into your compost
Weather
RAIN: If it is raining it is best to keep them inside. They do not like rain and hate the feeling of mud on their hooves. Also, the rain will activate the parasites in the manure and they have a greater chance of getting sick. It’s best to let them out after it has dried.
SNOW: Your goats also may not like the snow and mud. However, it is healthy for them to get outside if it is above freezing. We recommend having some benches built for them or areas they can lay or play without the snow.
EXTREME TEMPS: Under 32 F and above 86 F is considered extreme for goats. If it is under 32 F it is best to keep them inside their shelter away from the wind. Make sure they have a heated water bucket so their water does not freeze.
If it is above 86 F some things you should consider. 1) install a fan in their shelter and make sure their windows are open for ventilation and movement of air
2) Make sure they have plenty of shade to hide in
3) Provide lots of fresh water as each goat may drink up to 3-4 gallons per day.
MONITOR: Monitor your goat for indications of heat stress (panting with tongue out, fast breathing, lethargic). If this happens, consider bringing them to a cooler area on your property or in your house.
Health
Every day - check their poop in their pens and check their butts. Any sign of loose stools? If YES – follow the steps on the next page. Any visible signs of worms? If YES – follow the steps on the next page.
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Once every 3 weeks clean and trim their hooves. It is easy for you to learn how, we can teach you!
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Check their FAMACHA while you have them on the stand trimming hooves or are holding them. It’s important to monitor their FAMACHA and check at least every few weeks to ensure they are healthy (no enemia, parasite load)
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Loose Stools?
Are they stressed? Have they just been moved to a new home? Sometimes goats can get loose stools if they are stressed. Especially when they move to a new home. Just make sure they have fresh water.
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Did they eat too much grain or have a change in diet? If yes, cut back on the grain you are giving them for a few days. Do not give them grain or goat granola with Molasses in it, Molasses will loosen their stool.
Give them a natural dewormer at the onset of any diarrhea – we prefer Little Avalon Farm's Bug 'N Out Goat Parasite Drench.
Also, BOSS is a natural dewormer so keeping this mixed in with their grain is beneficial.
Use other natural dewormers such as: Raw Pumpkin, pumpkin seeds, and so many others. You can mix this with their feed.
