Before You Buy: 

• Ensure you have a reliable supply of hay; orchard grass is fine. Goats need long fiber. Hay is absolutely necessary and needs to be available at all times. They are natural browsers and will graze in available pasture, but this is not enough to keep them growing and healthy, especially in the winter.

• Offer a goat specific feed to them, especially for growing kids. A medicated feed (coccidia prevention) should be available to growing kids up until they are 6 months of age. Do not buy a mixed species feed.

• Loose minerals need to be available at all times. It is important to have a 2:1 Calcium: Phosphorus ratio. The loose mineral needs copper. A mineral labeled for both sheep and goats is not acceptable for goats.

• Establish a relationship with a local vet who can perform farm visits.

The above suggestions are for anyone who is new to goats and need to prepare for the bare minimum. There are a lot of other supplies one should have on hand like an emergency med kit, bottle feeding supplies for kids, copper boluses, hoof trimmers, vitamin drenches, etc. We of course can go over all this if needed!