Care Guides
Basic goat care from the barn at RiverHouse Dairy. A starting point, not medical advice. Your vet is your best resource.
New Goat Owner Checklist
Getting ready for your first goats
Before They Arrive
- —Sturdy fencing that goats can't climb over or squeeze through
- —A dry, draft-free shelter with clean bedding
- —A separate pen to keep new goats apart from your herd for the first few weeks
- —Fresh, clean water every day
- —Loose minerals made for goats
- —Find a vet who sees goats before you need one
The First Few Weeks
- —Learn what normal looks like: eating, chewing cud, bright eyes, alert and curious
- —Ask your vet about a basic health check and vaccinations
- —Keep their feed the same at first and make any changes slowly
- —Goats are herd animals, so never keep just one
Kidding Basics
Getting ready for babies
Before Kidding
- —Talk with your vet ahead of time about what to expect and when to call
- —Set up a clean, dry, quiet kidding pen
- —Have clean towels and your vet's phone number handy
Signs She's Getting Close
- —Her udder fills up
- —She's restless, pawing, or getting up and down
- —She talks more or wants to be alone
During and After
- —Most does kid on their own. Watch quietly from a distance.
- —If you're worried about how labor is going, call your vet
- —Make sure kids are breathing, dry and warm
- —Kids should nurse soon after birth. That first milk (colostrum) matters.
Seasonal Care
Through the year in western Washington
Spring
- —Watch for signs of worms as pastures green up, and ask your vet about testing
- —Keep bedding dry. Wet spring mud is hard on hooves.
- —Be ready for cold, wet nights if you have kids on the ground
Summer
- —Shade and cool, fresh water at all times
- —Keep flies down around the barn
- —Check and trim hooves. They grow faster in summer.
Fall
- —Breeding season begins for most does
- —Get shelters ready for the rain
Winter
- —A dry shelter out of the wind and rain
- —More hay when it's cold
- —Keep water from freezing. Goats drink less when water is icy.
Feeding Basics
Keep it simple
Every Goat
- —Good hay is the foundation of the diet
- —Fresh water, always
- —Loose minerals made for goats, not for sheep
- —Change feed slowly
Milking Does
- —Milking does need more feed than dry does
- —Ask your vet or feed store about a balanced ration
Bucks & Wethers
- —Go easy on grain
- —If a buck or wether strains to pee, call your vet right away
Medical Disclaimer: These guides represent general best practices for goat management. Always consult a licensed veterinarian for medical decisions specific to your animals.