Getting Started with Dairy Goats
You’ve decided dairy goats may be right for you—but where do you begin? Every situation is different, and no single guide can cover everything you may need to consider. These steps can help you gather information, connect with experienced resources and prepare before bringing goats home.
Research Local Zoning Laws
Before purchasing goats, confirm that livestock is permitted on your property. Local regulations may address animal numbers, property size, setbacks, shelters, manure management and other requirements.
Contact your city, town or county government or visit its website for current regulations.
Connect with Local Dairy Goat Resources
Experienced dairy goat owners can be valuable resources for someone just getting started. Local dairy goat clubs, breed organizations, ADGA-sanctioned shows and online groups may help you connect with breeders in your area.
Your local Cooperative Extension office may also provide livestock resources or recommend knowledgeable professionals and farms.
Whenever possible, visit several farms and learn from more than one breeder. Seeing different management systems will help you decide what may work best for your goals and property.
Plan for Housing and Fencing
Dairy goats need secure fencing and clean, dry, well-ventilated shelter. Housing should protect them from severe weather, predators, toxic plants and other hazards while providing enough room for normal movement and comfortable resting.
Housing and fencing needs vary by climate, property and management system. Consider drainage, bedding, ventilation, feed storage, manure management and access to clean water before bringing goats home.
Predator risks also vary by location. Domestic and roaming dogs can pose a serious threat, along with coyotes and other wildlife. Livestock guardian animals may be appropriate for some farms, but they require their own training, care and management.
Learn About Dairy Goat Care
Begin learning about nutrition, housing, routine health care, hoof care, breeding, kidding, milking and kid management before purchasing goats.
Read: Care & Management of Dairy Goats
Books, Extension programs, educational events and experienced mentors can also help you build practical knowledge. Planning ahead is one of the best ways to prevent avoidable health and management problems.
Find a Small-Ruminant Veterinarian
Locate a veterinarian experienced with goats or small ruminants before you need one. Local breeders, dairy goat clubs, Extension offices and ADGA-sanctioned shows may be able to provide recommendations.
A veterinarian can help you develop appropriate herd-health, vaccination, parasite-management and emergency-care plans. Establishing a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship may also be required to obtain certain medications.
Identify Feed and Forage Sources
Before purchasing goats, determine where you will obtain quality forage, appropriate feed, loose minerals and other supplies throughout the year.
Nutritional needs vary according to age, growth, pregnancy, lactation, body condition and forage quality. Work with a qualified livestock nutritionist or veterinarian to develop a feeding program appropriate for your animals and available feed sources.
Understand Milk-Sale Regulations
If you plan to sell milk or dairy products, research the laws governing those activities in your state and local area before getting started.
Requirements vary widely and may include permits, inspections, facility standards, testing, labeling and restrictions on the sale of unpasteurized products. Contact your state agriculture or public-health agency for current information.
Choose a Breed That Fits Your Goals
ADGA recognizes several dairy goat breeds, each with its own history, characteristics and breed standard.
Explore the breeds: Dairy Goat Breed Standards
Think about your goals, available space, climate, preferred milk production and composition, temperament, local availability and whether you plan to show, participate in performance programs or sell breeding stock.
Visit farms raising the breeds you are considering and speak with several breeders. Because does must be bred and give birth to produce milk, you should also consider how breeding services will be arranged and whether keeping a buck is practical for your situation.
Before purchasing goats, become familiar with the applicable breed standards and registration requirements. Detailed requirements are available in the ADGA Guidebook.
Purchase Healthy Goats from a Reputable Breeder
Ask questions about herd-health practices, disease testing, nutrition, registration status, and the management history of any animal you are considering.
Whenever possible, review:
- ADGA registration certificates or applications
- Pedigrees
- Health and testing records
- Production or performance records
- Breeding and kidding history
- Any written sales agreement or health guarantee
Goats are social animals and generally should not be kept alone. Plan to purchase or maintain at least two compatible goats.
Consider ADGA-Registered Goats
An ADGA-registered goat has a recorded pedigree or documented ancestry maintained through ADGA’s registry. These records can help breeders make informed decisions using information about ancestry, production, appraisal, show results and other available performance data.
Registration does not guarantee an animal’s health, quality or future performance, so buyers should still evaluate the individual goat, breeder and herd carefully.
If you plan to breed, show, participate in ADGA programs or sell registered offspring, confirm that each animal is properly registered or eligible for registration before completing the purchase.
Become an ADGA Member
ADGA membership provides access to member rates, programs, resources and other benefits for dairy goat owners and breeders.
Your membership should reflect the individual, family, farm, partnership or organization that owns the goats. Membership types have different privileges and limitations, so review the current requirements before choosing the option that best fits your situation.
Learn more: ADGA Member Benefits
Join ADGA: Become an ADGA Member
Once you become a member, the ADGA Membership Directory can help you locate breeders and dairy goat services in your area.
Reserve a Herd Name
A herd name identifies the breeder of kids born from does owned at the time of breeding and becomes the first part of those kids’ registered names. Choosing a herd name is an important step in establishing your identity and reputation as a breeder.
Herd names must meet ADGA requirements and be available for use. Review the current herd-name guidelines in the ADGA Guidebook before applying.
Submit a Herd Name Application: ADGA Forms
Questions about herd-name availability may be submitted through the ADGA Contact Form.