Keeping goats can be very rewarding and enjoyable to keep as pets, but it’s also a big commitment and can be time-consuming and expensive hobby. Before getting goats, it’s important to consider if you have the time, resources, commitment, knowledge and facilities to care for them.
Each year we turn away dozens of goats, often bought from breeders by people how have not done thier research and found that they cannot cope with them. We can only take more in when space is created by people offering rescued goats a home.
We take in goats from a variety of situations, from the unwanted baby goats from the dairy industry destined for slaughter, to dumped goats and also many now unwanted pets, as well as people having to give thier beloved pets up for no fault of thier own. We are dedicated to providing each goat with the correct care, treatment and rehabilitation before we find them loving forever homes.
As many goats come to us from owners who cannot care for them, many who have not done thier research before buying them, we encourage you to do your research, can you provide for the goats, are they suitable pets for you?
Considerations Before Having Goats
Registration – You will need a County Parish Holding Number (CHP) and a goat herd number. All goat movements need to be recorded and notified to Defra.
Accommodation – Goats can live around 12 years and so they need lots of land to roam, forage and play. If you do not own the land, do you have a lease or a load agreement? If you do not own or have a long-term lease, you could loose your land and so you need to consider what would you do with your goats? Goats hate the rain, wind and mud, you would need a sufficient number of shelters with hardstanding to allow them to get out of the elements and off mud.
Escapologist – They are incredible escapologist, they need to be contained by high, strong fencing, garden fencing is inadequate.
Destructive – Goats can really be quite destructive to fences, housing and gardens.
Boisterous – Younger goats in particular and even smaller goats can be quite boisterous and so may not be suitable around children, they can head butt. Uncastrated male goats have a very strong smell and can be quite aggressive, we always castrate males before adoption.
Long Term commitment – Goats can live for 12 years or longer, can you look after them for that length f time, who will care for them when you go away or you are unwell?
Veterinary Care – You will need to register with a farm vet so that you have 24/7 access to a vet for any goats that fall ill, they will also need to be vaccinated annually and wormed regulalrly.
General Care – Trimming thier hooves will need to be performed regulalrly, in winter sometimes ever few weeks to keep ahead of foot rot.
Herd Species – goats are a herd species, in the wild they live in large groups, they are very social aniamls and so must live with other goats, never on thier own without other goats.
Diet – Goats generally are not good mowers, they will though eat hedging, trees and hay, they need access to hay at all times, supplemented by hard feed particularly in winter. Any area where they live must be checked for poisonous plants before adding goats.
Fencing – Goats are incredibly good climbers and escapologist, for their safety we recommend at least 5ft very secure fencing, if a goat can poke their head through a gap there is a good chance they can get his whole body through too. They are very skilful at crawling under, climbing through and jumping over obstacles.
Electric fencing is NOT appropriate for goats.
Goats are also very clever when it comes to gates as all. Often trying to barge their way through or open locks. Locks like hook and eye, lever and bolts are not goat proof on the inside. If you do use these locks then please put them on the outside so the goat cannot reach. If you do need to use an inside lock then a padlock is the best option. It is also wise to put a lock on the bottom of the gate too, to prevent them from crawling under.