How hard is it to raise Boer goats?

How hard is it to raise Boer goats?

Boer goats are easy to raise because they are mild tempered and very affectionate. This breed is ideal for newcomers to goat farming because they are so flexible to the environment and require little to no human intervention in raising.

What you need to know about Boer goats?

About Boer Goats Their name is derived from the Dutch word “boer” meaning farmer. This breed of domestic goat typically has a white body with a brown head and ears. Their ears are long, similar in appearance to Nubian goat ears. Boer goats do well in hot, dry climates and seem to have a high resistance to diseases.

How long does it take to raise a Boer goat?

It will take 3 months to raise a Boer type meat goat to 50 pounds, while diary type meat goats will take 3-5 months. Bucklings and wethers will reach 50 pounds faster than doelings, with goat kids on full feed growing faster than kids that are not on full feed.

What makes a good Boer goat?

A goat with proper conformation will normally stay in production longer, and thus be more profitable. wide, strong head, indicates a wide, strong goat). A Boer goat should have a Roman nose and pendulous ears. o Color – a Boer goat should have a white body and dark red head and neck, yet all colors are acceptable.

How much room does a Boer goat need?

Most sources say that goats need ten feet per goat of indoor space. If you keep the goats in a dry lot (no pasture, you bring in all the hay), miniatures do okay with about 200 square feet per goat.

How do I keep my Boer goats healthy?

Your Boer goat will require a large area to roam and graze. Most experts recommend a pen with at least 50–60 square feet. It should also have an indoor enclosure of at least 15 square feet that provides heat and adequate shelter from the weather. There should also be plenty of fresh water inside the shelter and out.

Will goats be OK in the rain?

The ability of goats to withstand adverse weather conditions is strongly related to body condition. Goats in good condition — that is, goats that have developed a fat layer under the skin — can withstand rain and cold weather without much problem if they have access to good quality forage.

How much hay does a Boer goat need?

Each goat needs about two to four pounds of hay per day (3-4% of body weight in pounds), which can be fed free choice or twice a day. If good range isn’t available, dry grass forage of a horse quality is acceptable. Goats require additional hay, which is roughage, for their rumen to function properly.

Do and don’ts with goats?

Caring for Goats: Dos and Don’ts

• DO ✓ Give them plenty to do.
• DON’T ✗ Keep goats on their own.
• DO ✓ Keep them in a secure enclosure.
• DON’T ✗ Stress them out.

Should I mow my goat pasture?

As grasses grow, the tips get less digestible to goats. Pastures that have tall grasses tend to stay wet at ground level, increasing the exposure to worms, pasteurella, and other organisms. Mow your pastures to about 8 inches in height so that the underlying ground dries out.

How high should a fence be for goats?

4- to 5-foot
Setting Fence Height In areas where jumping is likely, such as over a fence that is meant to protect a garden or to separate bucks from does in heat, make sure the fence is tall enough to prevent the goat from even attempting to jump over. A 4- to 5-foot (1.2–1.5 m) fence is satisfactory for most goats.