Follow this guide to learn what goat must-haves we use to keep our herd healthy from kid to fully-grown goat.
Our Goat Must-Haves
Living in a remote part of the country has taught us to be prepared for everyday needs on the farm as well as emergencies. We’ve learned the vet can’t always arrive on time, and it’s best to have basic healthcare supplies on hand.
There are things to know before buying goats to make the transition onto the farm go smoothly. Knowing what to feed goats to keep them healthy and thriving is important, but it’s also good to be prepared when things go wrong.
The soil and climate can be influential in a goat’s health. As a goat owner, understanding what’s lacking in their natural habitat will give guidance to the particular items you may need in your goat must-haves kit.
It’s important to note that we are not accredited veterinarians, and this post is not intended to diagnose or treat but is for informational purposes only. Please contact your animal care professional before introducing new practices into your animal’s wellness routine.
Basic Health Care
While there are items in our health care kit for goats, some of the supplies can be used for other farm animals. It’s best to keep everything in a cabinet or container for easy access. Organize and label items so there’s no confusion in emergencies.
- Digital Thermometer – Knowing when a goat is running a fever, especially a baby, is crucial.
- Scissors – This is a practical tool you’ll be thankful to have when you need it. Keep a designated pair in your kit so you’re not having to search all over the house when you need them.
- Hoof Trimmers – You’ve got to know how to trim your goat’s hooves. Hoof trims are easy with a good pair of hoof trimmers.
- Bandages and Gauze – Sports wraps work well without cutting off circulation, and they don’t hurt when you take them off.
- Co-Flex Bandages – Self-adherent cohesive wrap bandages work great for stints to straighten legs out. Broken legs always tend to happen on a weekend when the vet is closed. This stuff can keep things stable until you can get them in the next day, avoiding a monstrous charge.
- Drencher – You will need to administer certain medicines with a drencher.
- Syringes – Different sized syringes from three to thirty cc for shots and drenching.
- Castration Tool and Rubber Bands – We no longer castrate our goats because they do better at market, but if you plan to castrate, these tools are necessary.
- Spray Bottle – We use this with Permethrin. Dilute the med with water and use it as flea and tick spray. The label does not specify use with goats. Use your discretion. You can also spray around your barns to help control flies, fleas, ticks and even mosquitos.
- Iodine – You can use the spray, liquid or wipes. It doesn’t matter which one, but have it on hand.
- Peroxide – We prefer buying the kind that’s in a spray bottle.
- Balling Gun – You will need this for giving pills and copper bolus.
- Alcohol or Alcohol Wipes – Use these to clean the tools you will use.
- Hand Sanitizer – Keeping your hands clean is so important to prevent contamination.
- Rubber Gloves – Things can get a little nasty, and rubber gloves will come in handy.
- Ear Tagger and Tags – Most states require you to tag the goats if you are selling them.
Emergency Care
Unfortunately, emergencies occur on the farm. While these moments are unpleasant, preparing yourself with knowledge and supplies will put your mind at ease, knowing you’re doing everything possible to help your animal.
- Styptic Blood Stopper Powder – We use this when trimming hooves. If we accidentally cut them to the quick, this stops bleeding. You can also use this powder when you are disbudding your kids.
- Pepto Bismal – Use in extreme emergencies for scours. The best recourse is to catch and treat scours before reaching the emergency level.
- Corid V – Use this to treat coccidiosis in goats and all animals.
- Pedialyte – We use this for dehydration and have saved many goats by having this on hand.
- Molasses – If a goat lacks energy, molasses gives instant energy.
- Power Punch – This high-potency energy drink is suitable for cattle, sheep, and goats. It’s high in vitamins to boost an anemic goat’s immune system. Pro-Tip: You can also give it to nannies that have kidded to help reboot their system.
- Red Cell Iron – If you are deworming a goat, give them Red Cell Iron along with the deworming meds. It can be administered for ten days to help put the iron back in their blood.
- Emergency Scalpel – You may need it to open and drain an abscess or a possible emergency c-section.
- Staples – Medical staples to close incisions or cuts.
- Baking Soda – In the case of bloat or another acidosis of the rumen, you’ll need this to restore balance.
Supplements and Meds
This list is not exhaustive, but it includes things we’ve used and have been satisfied with the results.
- Goat Copper Bolus – Get this in adult and kid doses. It’s the most important supplement to give to your goats! If they don’t have it, their immune system suffers. They get parasites and can’t maintain a healthy body. We give it to our goats every six months.
- Blu Kote Fungicidal – This is an antiseptic, protective wound dressing. It kills ringworm and fungus infections and is perfect for spraying on wounds to prevent flies. You can also use it after disbudding.
- Goat Nutri-Drench – This supplement is a good, all-around boost for a goat not feeling well. We often give a dose of this after kidding.
- Injectable Iron – If you have an anemic animal, this will help them fight it and get back on its feet.
- Probiocin Digestive Gel – Rumens need friendly bacteria to keep them running correctly.
- Dewormers – Ivermectin, Cydectin, Merck, or Prohibit are several options. Safe-guard Dewormer is liquid and easy to administer with a drench gun.
- Activated Charcoal Gel – In case of accidental poisoning, this will quickly empty the digestive tract.
- Selenium and Vitamin E – If your land is deficient in selenium, your goats might get a white muscle disease causing weakness. The best course of action is to supplement to combat deficiencies.
- Goat Minerals – Whether you have a dairy goat herd, meat goats, or brush goats, they all need a little care at times. While a goat eats roughage and enjoys alfalfa hay, supplementing with good quality goat minerals is good for the goats.
- Arnica – Arnica is a great natural remedy for pain, swelling, bruises, and other injuries.
- Vitamin B Complex – Vitamin B is an excellent pick-me-up. It helps with appetite and rallying a sick animal.
- Purple Antiseptic Spray – Follow medical procedures with purple antiseptic spray.
Kidding Kit
Some of the items in our kit are specifically for the kidding season. We like knowing we can help a struggling baby and give it the nourishment it needs if the mama is sick or rejects it.
The mama’s instincts usually kick in when goat kids are born, and very little care is needed. However, some situations require human intervention.
- Pritchard Nipples – These are awesome! They fit over the top of a 750ml soda bottle in case mama refuses or cannot feed the kids and we need to intervene.
- Soda Bottles – Have them clean and ready to use as bottles if you need to help feed the baby goats.
- Goat Milk Replacer – Your local Tractor Supply Store should carry the Save-A-Kid brand.
- Kid Colostrum – Have the powdered version on hand for backup. The best option is getting frozen colostrum from a local goat contact, which is only sometimes available.
- Old Towels – Rags, t-shirts or blankets will also work if you need to take residence in the kidding stall for a few hours. It’s also important to wipe off the baby and clear their airways if the mama’s instincts don’t kick in.
- Personal Lubricant or Vaseline – Sometimes, you will need to assist during the birthing process.
- Heating Pad – Keeping the baby warm is a must, especially during a winter birth.
- Heat Lamp and Bulb – These are another heat source during cool weather.
If you know someone who’s thinking about getting goats, be sure to share this post with them!
