Goats are curious, clever and fussy. They climb on everything, prefer eating from a rack to eating off the ground, and let you know straight away when something does not suit them. This section brings together everything you need to keep them healthy and content: from a kid's first bottle to the knife you use to keep their hooves in trim. Many products are made for sheep and goats alike; where the difference matters, we say so.
How this section is organised
- Goat kids: bottles, teats, lamb bars, colostrum meters and warmth for the first weeks.
- Health: vitamin gel, energy boluses, disbudding equipment and aids for dosing.
- Hoof care: foot-trimming knives, hoof shears and footbaths.
- Minerals and licks: mineral licks, lick blocks and mineral boluses, with attention to copper.
- Housing and feeding: feed bucket holders, buckets and other barn equipment.
A goat year in four moments
Spring: kidding time. Make sure colostrum, a feeding bottle and a heat lamp are ready before the first goat gives birth. Summer: goats hate rain and wet feet; a dry shelter and regular hoof checks prevent many problems. Autumn: the breeding season; keep track of which goat was served when. Winter: more hay and more time indoors, so make sure the bedding is dry and there are enough feeding places, so the goats lower in the pecking order also get their share.
What to look for in goat supplies
Goats differ clearly from sheep in three ways. First, their behaviour: they try to open everything, so choose sturdy, galvanised bucket holders and hang feed high enough. Second, copper: the copper requirement and the sensitivity to an excess differ between sheep, goats and breeds. Read the label of a mineral lick or bolus carefully and ask your vet if in doubt. Third, the hooves: on soft pasture they barely wear down, so you keep them trimmed yourself. A sharp foot-trimming knife and a fixed spot to restrain the goat make that a job of minutes.
If you keep sheep alongside goats, see everything for your sheep for marking, shearing and drenching. For cows and calves there is cattle, and for free-range pigs the pig section. All species together are under farm animals.
Before you start
Even for one or two goats, holdings and animals usually need to be registered and identified, for example with ear tags; check the rules in your country. Never keep a goat alone: goats are herd animals and a goat without company becomes restless. We do not sell wormers; have a faecal egg count done and discuss an approach with your vet.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum number of goats I should keep?
Goats are herd animals; keep at least two. A goat on its own, even with a sheep or pony for company, often does not feel at ease.
Can a goat use a mineral lick for sheep?
That depends on the composition, especially the copper content. Check the label and consult your vet if in doubt.
Do I need to register my goats?
In many countries, yes, even when kept as a hobby: goats are identified with ear tags and the holding is registered. Check the registration rules in your country with the relevant authority.