Essential Goat Farming Basics

Before starting a goat farm, it is helpful to create a simple written plan. Planning ahead helps organize your goals, estimate costs, and prepare for the basic needs of your animals and farm setup.

A basic goat farm plan should include:

• Fencing and pasture layout
• Health and medication planning
• Feed and nutrition needs
• Facilities, shelter, and startup costs

At NC Kikos, our fencing is 4 x 4 goat and sheep woven wire with treated round wooden posts plus intermittent metal T posts for the perimeter and electric wire run on the inside on 5 inch extender insulators. A well-planned fence not only keeps your goats in, it will keep predators out! The smaller hole woven wire is necessary to keep the goats from sticking their head through and getting their head stuck. This happens often with the 6 x 6 cattle woven wire fence. 

The electric wire trains the goats to stay off the fence. Good fencing built properly should last 20 plus years and is a good investment 

Common preventative health and
nutrition sources include:

• Loose goat mineral supplements containing copper, selenium, and zinc
• Mineral blocks or salt blocks available at all times
• Longleaf pine needles which goats often browse naturally
• Vegetable table scraps such as leafy greens and safe garden vegetables offered in moderation
• Pen Rotation / 8 per acre  

 A consistent mineral and nutrition program helps support healthy growth, reproduction, and overall herd wellbeing.

 Common health practices include:

• CDT vaccination to protect against clostridial diseases and tetanus
• Deworming treatments to manage internal parasites when needed
• Vitamin B12 supplements, given orally or by injection when goats need additional support
• Sheep and goat drench products used as part of parasite and digestive management

 Goats are ruminant animals, meaning they are able to efficiently digest forage and plant material through a multi-chambered stomach. Goats naturally prefer browsing on vines, leaves, brush, and small shrubs.

Goats get a small amount of feed to introduce vitamins and minerals into their diet.  At NC Kikos, goats are primarily raised on free-range pasture consisting of Fescue and Kentucky grasses, along with natural browse when available. During the winter months or when pasture is limited, quality grass hay is provided to help maintain proper nutrition and herd health. Access to fresh water and minerals is also an important part of a balanced feeding program.

 Great Pyrenees dogs play an important role in protecting livestock herds. Known for their calm and gentle nature, they are able to live peacefully among goats without disturbing the herd. Despite their relaxed demeanor, they are highly protective and instinctively guard the animals under their care.

Great Pyrenees are fearless livestock guardians and will confront predators such as coyotes or other threats if the herd is endangered. These dogs typically patrol and remain alert throughout the night, when predators are most active, and often rest during the day while staying close to the herd they protect.