Details

Raising Goats For Dummies


Raising Goats For Dummies


2. Aufl.

von: Cheryl K. Smith

19,99 €

Verlag: Wiley
Format: EPUB
Veröffentl.: 11.02.2021
ISBN/EAN: 9781119772606
Sprache: englisch
Anzahl Seiten: 384

DRM-geschütztes eBook, Sie benötigen z.B. Adobe Digital Editions und eine Adobe ID zum Lesen.

Beschreibungen

<p><b>No buts: discover the addictive joy of raising goats</b></p> <p>Goats are amazing, multi-talented creatures that have been domesticated for over 10,000 years. As well as being a source of food, clothes, and milk, they're wonderful companions: cute, intelligent, and playful—and often as friendly and attentive as dogs. In addition, they make endearing noises and—according to ancient Ethiopian legend—discovered coffee. So what's holding you back? The new edition of <i>Raising Goats For Dummies</i> rebuts all your excuses, and shows you why having one—or, actually, a few—of these companionable ruminants (cud-chewing animals) in your life will bring you great joy, and, if you choose, unbeatable homemade milk and cheese—and possibly a cozy new sweater.</p> <p>A happy goat aficionado since 1998, Cheryl K. Smith takes you from the grassroots of raising your goat—choosing and buying the breed you want, building and maintaining goat-friendly housing—to more elevated terrain, including how to build your own milk stand, participate in online goat shows (it’s a thing!), and even monetize your goat. You'll also learn the fundamentals of proper care to make sure your goats are fed, kept healthy, and bred in ways that ensure they have the happiest life you can provide.</p> <ul> <li>Study the history and breeds of goat, like the Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy</li> <li>Live sustainably from and even profit from your goat</li> <li>Identify and alleviate common ailments</li> <li>Have fun raising the kids!</li> </ul> <p>Whether you're researching buying a goat or learning on the hoof about the ones you have, this book has everything you need to see why getting your goat will bring years and years of joy.</p>
<p><b>Introduction</b><b> 1</b></p> <p>About This Book 1</p> <p>Foolish Assumptions 2</p> <p>Beyond the Book 2</p> <p>Icons Used in the Book 2</p> <p>Where to Go from Here 3</p> <p><b>Part 1: Getting Started with Goats 5</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 1: Discovering the Joys of Raising Goats</b><b> 7</b></p> <p>Finding Goat Basics 8</p> <p>Identifying the Benefits of Owning Goats 9</p> <p>Becoming more self-sufficient 9</p> <p>Using goats for companions or helpers 13</p> <p>Raising goats as a 4-H project 14</p> <p>Determining Whether Goats Are for You 15</p> <p>Devoting time and effort 15</p> <p>Deciding which goats are right for your situation 16</p> <p>Finding out about local ordinances 17</p> <p>Knowing your neighbors 18</p> <p><b>Chapter 2: Glimpsing Vital Goat Statistics</b><b> 19</b></p> <p>Doe, a Goat, a Female Goat 19</p> <p>Taking a Look at Goat Anatomy 20</p> <p>Parts of the body 20</p> <p>The digestive system 22</p> <p>Hooves 23</p> <p>Teeth 24</p> <p>Beards 25</p> <p>Wattles 25</p> <p>Horns 26</p> <p>Eyes 26</p> <p>Signs of a Healthy Goat 27</p> <p>Noticing posture 27</p> <p>Identifying the meaning of goat cries 27</p> <p>Determining normal temperature 28</p> <p>Using ruminations as a health indicator 30</p> <p>Taking a goat’s pulse 30</p> <p>Counting respirations 31</p> <p>Recognizing life expectancy 31</p> <p>Using a Goat Scorecard to Evaluate a Goat 31</p> <p><b>Chapter 3: Knowing Your Capra Aegagrus Hircus (Goat, That Is) </b><b>33</b></p> <p>Looking into Dairy Goats 34</p> <p>Standard dairy goat breeds 34</p> <p>Miniature breeds 38</p> <p>Discovering Meat Goats 42</p> <p>Boer goats 43</p> <p>Myotonic goats 44</p> <p>Kiko goats 45</p> <p>Spanish goats 45</p> <p>Texmaster goats 46</p> <p>Moneymaker meat goats 46</p> <p>Savanna goats 47</p> <p>Investigating Fiber Goats 47</p> <p>Angora 47</p> <p>Cashmere 48</p> <p>Miniature fiber goats 49</p> <p><b>Chapter 4: Getting Your Property Ready for a Goat</b><b> 51</b></p> <p>Figuring Out How Many Goats You Can Support 51</p> <p>Making Sure Fencing is Adequate 52</p> <p>Running through types of fencing 53</p> <p>Planning for gates 54</p> <p>Protecting Your Plants 55</p> <p>Considering which trees to protect 55</p> <p>Making trees goat-proof 55</p> <p>Protecting Your Herd 57</p> <p>Putting hazards out of reach 57</p> <p>Avoiding tethering 58</p> <p>Providing a safe place to bunk down 59</p> <p>Considering local predators 59</p> <p>Using guardian animals for security 61</p> <p>Removing poisonous plants 63</p> <p>Building a Milk Stand 65</p> <p>Cutting the lumber into parts and marking the pieces 67</p> <p>Attaching the legs to the base 68</p> <p>Attaching the side pieces to the base 68</p> <p>Finishing the platform 68</p> <p>Preparing the stanchion 68</p> <p>Assembling the stanchion 69</p> <p>Creating neck pieces 69</p> <p>Adding the neck pieces to the stanchion 70</p> <p>Adding the feeder attachment 70</p> <p>Attaching the stanchion to the base 71</p> <p>Making final adjustments 71</p> <p><b>Part 2: Bringing Your Goats Home 73</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 5: Home Sweet Homestead: Sheltering Your Goats</b><b> 75</b></p> <p>Outlining Shelter Types 75</p> <p>Using an existing building 77</p> <p>Putting up a shelter 77</p> <p>Providing a Safe, Cozy Place for Goats to Bunk 78</p> <p>Building a sleeping shelf in an existing barn 79</p> <p>Using and maintaining bedding 82</p> <p>Creating an Outdoor Shelter 84</p> <p>Protecting your goats from the elements 84</p> <p>Selecting flooring 85</p> <p>Keeping Your Goats and Their Living Space Clean 86</p> <p>Controlling flies and other bugs 86</p> <p>Feed storage and ratproofing 88</p> <p><b>Chapter 6: Dinner Time: What and How to Feed Your Goats</b><b> 91</b></p> <p>Goats Don’t Eat Tin Cans: What and How to Feed 92</p> <p>Understanding the two types of feed 92</p> <p>Feeding hay and alfalfa 93</p> <p>Using Chaffhaye instead of hay and alfalfa 93</p> <p>Feeding grain 94</p> <p>Following a feeding schedule 95</p> <p>Choosing organic — or not 96</p> <p>Minerals are a must 96</p> <p>Supplemental feeds 97</p> <p>Using Body-Condition Scoring to Fine-Tune Feeding 99</p> <p>Feeding for Special Cases 100</p> <p>Pregnancy 101</p> <p>Milking does 101</p> <p>Kids 101</p> <p>Getting the Basic Supplies 102</p> <p>Bowls 102</p> <p>Buckets 102</p> <p>Water supply 103</p> <p>Mineral feeder 104</p> <p>Hay feeder 105</p> <p>Storing feed 106</p> <p>Building a Simple Hay Feeder 106</p> <p>Building a Mineral Block Holder 108</p> <p>Providing Supplemental Feeding Options 110</p> <p>Growing a goat garden 110</p> <p>Feeding with garden plant waste 112</p> <p>Storing garden produce 112</p> <p>Creating a Hedgerow 113</p> <p>Choosing a location 113</p> <p>Determining what to plant 113</p> <p>Keeping it surviving and thriving 114</p> <p>Supplementing with Fodder 114</p> <p><b>Chapter 7: Getting Your Goats: Choosing, Buying, and Bringing Goats Home</b><b> 117</b></p> <p>Choosing the Right Goats for Your Needs 118</p> <p>Goats need company 118</p> <p>Function matters 118</p> <p>Size matters 119</p> <p>Horns can hurt 119</p> <p>Registered or unregistered 119</p> <p>Looks count: The basics of conformation 120</p> <p>Finding Sources for Goats 121</p> <p>Visiting local feed stores 122</p> <p>Reading the agriculture paper or thrifties 122</p> <p>Checking out Craigslist 122</p> <p>Surfing breeders’ websites 122</p> <p>Joining registries and goat clubs 123</p> <p>Going where goat people congregate 123</p> <p>Making Sure You Get a Healthy Goat 124</p> <p>Asking questions 124</p> <p>Examining the goats 125</p> <p>Observing the home herd 126</p> <p>Protecting Yourself with a Contract 126</p> <p>Bringing Your Goats Home 128</p> <p>Transporting your goats 128</p> <p>Quarantining new goats 129</p> <p>Watching for signs of stress 129</p> <p><b>Chapter 8: Working with Your Goats </b><b>131</b></p> <p>Identifying Normal Goat Behavior 131</p> <p>Establishing a “pecking” order 132</p> <p>Biting, butting, and mounting 133</p> <p>Conducting Basic Training with Your Goats 135</p> <p>Collars are not just decorations 135</p> <p>Handling goats regularly 136</p> <p>Walking goats on a lead 137</p> <p>Teaching basic manners 138</p> <p>Moving Up to Advanced Goat Training 139</p> <p>Teaching tricks with a clicker 139</p> <p>Using an obstacle course 140</p> <p>Housebreaking 140</p> <p>Preparing goats for packing 141</p> <p>Training goats to pull a cart 143</p> <p>Supervising Your Herd 145</p> <p>Meeting their social needs 145</p> <p>Evaluating the time you have to be home 146</p> <p>Finding and training a reliable helper 146</p> <p>Maintaining Physical Fitness 147</p> <p>Walking with your goats 148</p> <p>Furnishing your yard or pasture with toys 148</p> <p>Entertaining with Your Goats 149</p> <p><b>Chapter 9: Handling Routine Care and Important One-Time Tasks</b><b> 151</b></p> <p>Grooming Your Goats 151</p> <p>Brushing 152</p> <p>Bathing 152</p> <p>Clipping 152</p> <p>Specialized clipping 154</p> <p>Caring for Hooves 154</p> <p>Preparing to trim 155</p> <p>Trimming the hooves 155</p> <p>Dealing with Horns 159</p> <p>Horned or not? 159</p> <p>The case for no horns on goats 159</p> <p>When to disbud 160</p> <p>How to disbud 160</p> <p>Preventing and dealing with scurs 164</p> <p>Castrating Your Bucks 165</p> <p>The problem of poor Elmer, or why to castrate 165</p> <p>Knowing when to castrate 166</p> <p>Choosing a castration method 167</p> <p>Identifying Your Goats: Microchipping and Tattooing 169</p> <p>Choosing a method 169</p> <p>Tattooing your goat 170</p> <p>Microchipping your goat 171</p> <p><b>Part 3: Managing Goat Health and Breeding 173</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 10: Outlining Basic Health-Care Requirements</b><b> 175</b></p> <p>Recognizing Signs of Illness 176</p> <p>Working with a Veterinarian 177</p> <p>Finding a vet 177</p> <p>Knowing when to call 178</p> <p>Preparing for a vet visit 178</p> <p>Working with a non-goat veterinarian 180</p> <p>Building a First-Aid Kit 180</p> <p>The Straight Poop: Fecal Analysis 182</p> <p>Giving Injections 184</p> <p>Considering Vaccinations 186</p> <p>Deciding whether to vaccinate 186</p> <p>Looking into common vaccinations 186</p> <p>Giving a vaccination 187</p> <p>Keeping Health Records 188</p> <p>Documenting important information 188</p> <p>Keeping track of recurrent problems 189</p> <p>Providing information for the vet 189</p> <p>Tracking trends 190</p> <p>Testing to Avoid Problems 190</p> <p>Knowing what to test for 190</p> <p>How to draw blood for a test 191</p> <p>Knowing the Law Regarding Drugs in Food Animals 193</p> <p><b>Chapter 11: Addressing Common Health Problems and Ailments</b><b> 195</b></p> <p>Managing the Creepy-Crawlies 195</p> <p>Controlling external parasites 196</p> <p>Minimizing internal parasites 198</p> <p>Helping keep parasite problems at bay 202</p> <p>Acquainting Yourself with Goat Viruses and Infections 202</p> <p>Caprine arthritis encephalitis virus (CAEV) 202</p> <p>Abscesses 204</p> <p>Hardware disease 205</p> <p>Tetanus 205</p> <p>Johne’s disease 206</p> <p>Listeriosis 206</p> <p>Pinkeye 207</p> <p>Soremouth 207</p> <p>Pneumonia 208</p> <p>Wounds 209</p> <p>Ringworm 210</p> <p>Foot rot 210</p> <p>Rabies 210</p> <p>Examining Feed-Related Problems 211</p> <p>Scours 211</p> <p>Bloat 212</p> <p>Enterotoxemia 213</p> <p>Nutrient imbalances 214</p> <p>Poisoning 218</p> <p><b>Chapter 12: Breeding and Looking After Pregnant Goats</b><b> 219</b></p> <p>Preparing for Breeding 219</p> <p>Running through Goat Mating Habits: Courting is Crucial! 220</p> <p>Identifying the season for goat love 220</p> <p>Manners, or what to expect from your goat 221</p> <p>Doing the deed 223</p> <p>Housing a buck after breeding 223</p> <p>Finding Breeding Solutions When You Have Only Does 224</p> <p>The invaluable buck rag 224</p> <p>Leasing a buck 225</p> <p>One-night stands, or driveway breeding 225</p> <p>Artificial insemination 225</p> <p>Looking into the Finer Points of Goat Pregnancy 226</p> <p>Length of gestation 226</p> <p>False pregnancy 226</p> <p>Dealing with common pregnancy problems 227</p> <p>Getting Ready for Kidding 230</p> <p>Preparing the doe 230</p> <p>Setting up a kidding pen 230</p> <p>Being prepared with a kidding kit 231</p> <p>Knowing when she’ll kid (and what to do!) 232</p> <p><b>Chapter 13: Now Comes the Fun Part: Kids! </b><b>235</b></p> <p>Grasping the Basics of Kidding 235</p> <p>Knowing what to expect from labor and birth 236</p> <p>Handling multiples 239</p> <p>Taking Care of Mother and Kids after Kidding 240</p> <p>Caring for the new mother 240</p> <p>Caring for newborn kids 241</p> <p>The importance of colostrum 242</p> <p>Dealing with kid problems 242</p> <p>Tube-feeding a weak kid 246</p> <p>Vaccinating 248</p> <p>Feeding the Kids 249</p> <p>Deciding between hand-feeding or natural feeding 249</p> <p>Choosing milk 250</p> <p>Feeding individually or as a group 250</p> <p>Feeding schedule 251</p> <p>Introducing solid foods 252</p> <p>Weaning kids 252</p> <p><b>Chapter 14: Caring for Aged Goats</b><b> 255</b></p> <p>Identifying Health Problems 255</p> <p>Musculoskeletal issues 256</p> <p>Digestive issues 256</p> <p>Immune system issues 257</p> <p>Circulatory issues 257</p> <p>Mammary issues 257</p> <p>Behavioral changes 258</p> <p>Making Allowances for Disability 258</p> <p>Providing proper housing 258</p> <p>Finding a workable diet 259</p> <p>Easing chronic pain 261</p> <p>Determining When to Let Go 262</p> <p><b>Part 4: Making Your Goats Work for You 263</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 15: Discovering Goat Milk: How to Get, Use, and Sell It</b><b> 265</b></p> <p>Developing a Milking Routine 266</p> <p>Knowing when to milk 266</p> <p>Keeping the milk fresh 267</p> <p>Caring for the udder 268</p> <p>Preventing mastitis 269</p> <p>Keeping records 269</p> <p>Ending milking (Drying off) 270</p> <p>Getting a Grip on Hand-Milking 270</p> <p>Getting the supplies 271</p> <p>Running through the hand-milking process 272</p> <p>Using a hand-milking machine 273</p> <p>Using a Motorized Milking Machine 274</p> <p>Handling Milk to Keep It Clean and Fresh 276</p> <p>Straining the milk 276</p> <p>Cooling the milk 277</p> <p>Storing the milk 277</p> <p>Staying Legal while Selling Milk 278</p> <p><b>Chapter 16: Goat Meat: From Breeding to Selling and Beyond</b><b> 279</b></p> <p>Getting the Basics of Raising Goats for Meat 280</p> <p>Cross-breeding standard dairy goats to produce meat goats 280</p> <p>Using your dairy goats for meat 281</p> <p>Selling Your Products 281</p> <p>Identifying potential buyers 281</p> <p>Selling goats 284</p> <p>Advertising 286</p> <p>Legal considerations 287</p> <p>Determining what to charge 287</p> <p>Using marketing terminology properly 288</p> <p>Slaughtering Goats 289</p> <p>Doing it yourself 289</p> <p>Using a licensed slaughter plant 289</p> <p>Hiring a mobile butcher 290</p> <p>Humanely slaughtering goats 290</p> <p>Using All of the Goat 291</p> <p>Hide tanning 291</p> <p>Animal feed 293</p> <p>Using the organs for herd health check 293</p> <p><b>Chapter 17: Showing Your Goats</b><b> 295</b></p> <p>Finding Shows 296</p> <p>Preparing to Show Your Goat 296</p> <p>Getting your goat show-ready 297</p> <p>Assembling your supplies 300</p> <p>Earning more than just ribbons 301</p> <p>Marketing at shows 301</p> <p>Showing Your Goat in Person 302</p> <p>Dressing appropriately 302</p> <p>Keeping your goat between yourself and the judge 302</p> <p>Focusing on the judge at all times 303</p> <p>Making sure not to talk with your neighbor 303</p> <p>Remaining calm even if your goat is misbehaving 303</p> <p>Doing what the judge asks 304</p> <p>Keeping your goat properly set up 304</p> <p>Being a good loser (or winner) 305</p> <p>Showing Your Goat Virtually 305</p> <p>Setting the scene 306</p> <p>Preparing your goat 306</p> <p>Photographing properly 306</p> <p><b>Chapter 18: More Benefits of Goats: Fiber, Breeding, Weed Control, and More</b><b> 309</b></p> <p>Harvesting and Selling Fiber 310</p> <p>Reviewing fiber types 310</p> <p>Shearing: How and when 311</p> <p>Processing the fiber 314</p> <p>Spinning 316</p> <p>Selling your fiber 317</p> <p>Creating Mini Breeds 318</p> <p>Backpacking with Goats 320</p> <p>Offering Buck Service 321</p> <p>Boarding Other People’s Goats 322</p> <p>Selling Compost 322</p> <p>Hiring Out for Weed Control 323</p> <p>Providing “Goat Therapy” 324</p> <p><b>Part 5: The Part of Tens 325</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 19: Ten Common Mistakes First-Time Goat Owners Make</b><b> 327</b></p> <p>Getting Too Many Goats Too Fast 327</p> <p>Failing to Educate Yourself before Getting Goats 328</p> <p>Underestimating the Costs 328</p> <p>Paying Too Much or Too Little for Your Goats 329</p> <p>Getting Only One Goat 330</p> <p>Buying Unhealthy Goats 330</p> <p>Neglecting Routine Management and Care 331</p> <p>Overlooking Your Goats’ Dietary Needs 331</p> <p>Giving the Goats Too Little Attention 332</p> <p>Getting a Buck before You’re Ready 332</p> <p><b>Chapter 20: Ten Misconceptions about Goats</b><b> 333</b></p> <p>Goats Will Eat Anything 333</p> <p>Goats Stink 334</p> <p>Goats Aren’t Very Smart 334</p> <p>Goats Make Good Lawn Mowers 335</p> <p>Goat Milk Tastes Bad 335</p> <p>Goat Meat Tastes Bad 335</p> <p>Goats Get Most of Their Water from Plants 336</p> <p>Goats Are Only for People Who Can’t Afford Cows 336</p> <p>Only Male Goats Have Beards 337</p> <p>A Dog Makes a Good Friend for a Goat 337</p> <p>Appendix: Goat-Milk Recipes 339</p> <p>Index 357</p>
<p><b>Cheryl K. Smith</b> has raised a small herd of Nigerian Dwarf and Oberian dairy goats under the herd name Mystic Acres since 1998. She is the owner of karmadillo Press and is the author of <i>Goat Health Care, Goat Midwifery, The Best of Ruminations Goat Milk and Cheese Recipes,</i> and <i>Raising Goats: Some Essentials</i>.</p>
<p><b>They’re fun, smart, and natural weed whackers!</b></p> <p>Looking for a hobby that includes both fun and profit? Raising goats may be exactly what you need! Goats are intelligent, friendly, playful, and great at keeping your weeds under control. Not only that, but there’s a growing market for goat’s milk, goat cheese, and mohair or cashmere fiber. This fully updated guide will introduce you to different breeds and lead you through choosing your goats, preparing the appropriate living space for them, selecting food, and understanding everything necessary to keep your goats happy and healthy.</p><p><b>Inside. . .</p><li><bl>Understand the different types of goats</bl></li><li><bl>See what conditions they need</bl></li><li><bl>Keep your goats safe</bl></li><li><bl>Find out where to buy goats</bl></li><li><bl>Treat common goat ailments</bl></li><li><bl>Decide whether to breed</bl></li><li><bl>Train and show goats</bl></li></b></p>

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