So. You bought land. Or maybe you inherited a few acres, finally ditched the HOA, and now you’re staring at a weedy back pasture thinking, “Yeah. Goats.”
Welcome to the club. Raising goats on a small farm is one of the best things you can do — for your land, your pantry, and your soul. But let me warn you: goats are not small cows. They’re not lazy sheep. They’re not dogs. Goats are goats. And that means curious, escape-artist, sometimes obnoxious, but always rewarding little workhorses.
This guide is for you if you want to raise goats intentionally on a small farm — whether you’re looking for milk, meat, brush control, or just a few new farm friends who think you built the fence as a suggestion.
Let’s dive in.
1. Start with Your “Why”
Before you buy a single hoofed hooligan, ask yourself: Why am I raising goats?
This isn’t philosophical. It’s logistical. Goats come in breeds. Breeds come with quirks. And your reason will shape every decision — from fencing to feed to how often you wake up to screaming at 6 a.m.
- Milk: Look into Nubians, Saanens, Alpines, LaManchas, Nigerian Dwarfs (small, mighty, and adorable).
- Meat: Boer goats, Kikos, and Spanish goats are your heavy lifters.
- Fiber: Angoras and Cashmeres — beautiful but high maintenance.
- Land management / brush control: Any hardy, mixed-breed goats with a browsing instinct.
Pick your purpose. Then pick your breed. Don’t just impulse-buy that cute wether at the farmer’s market. (We’ve all been there.)
2. How Much Space Do Goats Need?
You don’t need 100 acres, but goats aren’t houseplants. Give them room.
- Basic rule: 250 square feet per goat minimum if dry-lotted. ½ acre per 2–3 goats if rotating pasture.
- Smaller farms? No problem. You can raise 2–4 goats on an acre with rotational browsing and supplemental feed.
- Goats prefer browse (leaves, shrubs, vines) over grass. They’re more into your blackberry bushes than your Bermuda lawn.
Space isn’t just about grazing — it’s also about behavior. Goats hate being crowded. If they feel confined, they fight, climb, chew, scream. Free-range = chill goats.
3. Fencing: The Great Goat Reality Check
This isn’t optional. If your fence can’t hold water, it won’t hold goats. Actually, if your fence can hold water, it still probably won’t hold goats.
Goats test fences like hackers test passwords.
Your options:
- Woven wire fencing: 4×4-inch squares, 4–5 feet tall.
- Electric fencing: Great as a secondary barrier or for rotational grazing.
- No-climb horse fence + a hot wire at chest height = gold standard.
And remember: goats will climb, crawl, dig, or launch themselves into orbit if something yummy or interesting is on the other side. Respect the goat. Build better.
4. Shelter: Not Fancy, Just Dry
Goats aren’t picky, but they need protection from wind, rain, and predators. Think rustic, not royal.
Basic goat shelter checklist:
- 3-sided shed with a roof
- Dry floor (straw, pine shavings, or pallets if you’re in a soggy climate)
- Facing away from prevailing wind
- One shelter per 2–3 goats if possible (they like their space)
Optional but lovely: a raised sleeping platform, goat jungle gym, or designated kidding stall if you’re breeding.
5. Feed: The Balanced Goat Diet (Hold the Junk)
Despite their reputation, goats don’t eat everything. They chew everything. But their diet needs to be on point.
What to feed:
- Forage/browse: Ideal. Fresh pasture, shrubs, vines.
- Hay: Free-choice grass hay or legume mix (like alfalfa) if no pasture.
- Grain: Only for pregnant/nursing does, kids, or underweight goats. Avoid overfeeding — causes urinary stones in wethers.
- Minerals: Always offer free-choice loose goat minerals (not a block). Goats are mineral snobs.
- Clean water: Check daily. Scrub often. They poop in it. Every. Single. Time.
Avoid:
- Moldy hay
- Lawn clippings
- Dog food (yes, they’ll try)
6. Basic Goat Health & Vet Care
Goats are hardy — until they’re not. A small farm needs a basic vet plan.
Routine care:
- Hoof trimming: Every 4–6 weeks. Essential.
- Deworming: Based on fecal tests, not guesswork. Resistance is real.
- Vaccines: CD&T (Clostridium perfringens types C&D + tetanus) — annual.
- Copper bolus: Most areas are deficient. Do it 2–3x per year unless minerals are enough.
Know your signs of illness: dull coat, diarrhea, teeth grinding, bloat, nasal discharge, or suddenly antisocial behavior = red flag.
7. Breeding (Only If You’re Ready)
Raising goats on a small farm doesn’t have to include breeding. But if you go there, go prepared.
- Keep in mind: bucks are stinky, loud, and gross. Rent or borrow if needed.
- Kidding season can be magical or miserable depending on prep.
- Breed in fall for spring babies. Gestation = ~150 days.
- Learn the signs of labor and have a kidding kit ready: gloves, lube, towels, iodine, and a vet on speed dial.
Pro tip: Don’t breed too young. Wait until does are 8–10 months old or 70% of their adult weight.
8. Daily Goat Care: The Rhythm of the Farm
Small-farm goat keeping isn’t 24/7 chaos. Once things are set up, your rhythm might look like this:
Morning:
- Feed hay
- Check water
- Give minerals
- Headcount (make sure no one escaped overnight)
- Quick health check (eyes, gait, poop, mood)
Evening:
- Refill water
- Secure shelter
- Treat or separate any animals that need special care
Weekly:
- Clean shelter
- Rotate pastures if using
- Check for hoof trim needs
Monthly:
- Weight checks
- Mineral top-up
- Parasite check if needed
9. Bonus: Enrichment = Happy Goats
Goats get bored fast. Bored goats = destructive goats.
Make your farm fun:
- Logs to climb
- Toys (yes, even dog toys)
- Platforms and cable spools
- Obstacle courses (seriously — YouTube “goat parkour”)
They’ll stay healthier, friendlier, and less likely to escape if they’re mentally stimulated.
Final Thoughts: Small Farm, Big Goat Energy
You don’t need a giant ranch to raise goats — just a plan, a good fence, and the willingness to adapt. Goats are incredible for small-scale farming. They clean up overgrowth, produce milk and meat, give great compost material, and bring personality to your barnyard like no other critter.
Yes, they’ll challenge you. But they’ll also make you laugh. And once you’re in sync with them — once you get goats — your little farm starts feeling a whole lot more alive.
So go build that fence. Find a breeder. And start your journey with goats the smart way — intentional, prepared, and always curious.
And whatever you do… close the gate. Twice.
