About the Author

Reproduction and deworming effects of feeding pine to goats.

Are you ready to breed your goats? Consult this checklist for a healthy kidding season.

Indiscriminate deworming, either by deworming on a schedule or without seeing any specific symptoms of a high worm load, can breed medication-resistant worms on your property. Before deworming, conduct a five-point check to assess if treatment is necessary. This involves assessing the eye, back, tail, coat, and jaw areas.

Different goat breeds come in different shapes and sizes. A large belly can mean pregnancy, body fat, a full rumen, or just relaxed ligaments. Weights can help measure medication doses but are not specifically indicative of body fat. A Body Condition Score helps identify obese animals and those needing to gain weight.

Whether you legally must have permanent identification on your goats, or if it’s just a good idea, here are guidelines to tagging your herd.