Raising Meat Goats: What To Consider And Do

Is it worth it to raise goats for meat?

There are many factors to consider, the cost of raising meat goats, the amount of time and effort required, and the potential income from selling goat meat all need to be taken into account. There is a growing demand for goat meat, as it is a leaner and healthier alternative to other meats. Goat meat is also popular in many other countries around the world. As a result, there is potential to make a good profit by selling goat meat to restaurants or grocery stores.

However, raising meat goats requires a significant amount of time and effort. Goats need to be fed and watered daily, and their living quarters must be cleaned regularly. They also need to be exercised and monitored for health problems. If you are not prepared to put in the time and effort required to care for goats, then raising them for meat may not be worth it.

Is it profitable to raise goats for meat?

Generally speaking, raising meat goats can be a profitable endeavor. However, it is important to do your homework before getting started to make sure that you are raising the right breed of goats for your specific situation and that you have a market for your goats. 

If you are considering raising meat goats, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, you will need to choose the right breed of goat for your purposes. There are many different breeds of goats, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses. Some breeds are better suited for milk production, while others are better suited for meat production. Do some research to find the right breed of goat for your needs.

Second, you need to be aware of your production costs. Meat Goats require good quality feed and housing, and they need to be properly vaccinated and dewormed. Be sure to factor these costs into your budget before getting started.

Finally, you need to make sure that there is a market for your goats. Goats are not as popular as other meats such as beef or chicken, so you may have to work a little harder to find buyers for your goats.

However, if you do your research and marketing properly, you should be able to find buyers for your goats without too much trouble.

What breed of goats are best for meat?

There are a few different types of meat goats, but the easiest to raise is the Boer goat. These goats are originally from South Africa and were brought to the United States in the early 1990s.

They are docile and easy to handle, making them ideal for beginners. They are also very hardy and can withstand hot or cold weather extremes. Boer goats are also good foragers, so they don't require a lot of supplemental feed. 

Another type of meat goats is the Kiko goat. These goats are originally from New Zealand and were first imported into the United States in the late 1990s. They are known for their hardiness and ability to thrive on poor-quality grazing.

They don't require as much supplemental feed as Boer goats, making them a good choice for those who want to raise their goats with minimal inputs. Besides that, you can also try Saanen, Toggenburg and Wisent goats.

Read more: Goat Farming For Beginners: Step by Step Guide

What do you feed meat goats?

There are a few things to consider when deciding what to feed your meat goats. You should consider is what kind of growth you are looking for from your goats. 

If you want them to grow quickly and produce a lot of meat, then you will need to feed them a high-protein diet. This means hay, grains, and protein supplements.

If you are not as concerned about rapid growth, then a more moderate diet will suffice. Keep in mind that meat goats are browsers, not grazers like cows.

This means that they prefer to eat leaves and twigs rather than grass. When possible, try to provide them with access to browse or supplement their diet with hay."

Supplementing goat’s diet with hay is important because it provides them with the fiber they need for proper digestion.

The type of hay you feed your goats will depend on what is available in your area. Good choices for goats include alfalfa, timothy, brome, and oat hay.

Finally, Fresh water should be available at all times, and it is especially important to make sure your goats have access to water during hot weather. Goats are very curious creatures and will often play with their food and water, so it is important to keep an eye on them to make sure they are getting enough to eat and drink.

A good mineral supplement for goats should contain salts, trace minerals, and vitamins A & D. It is also important to make sure the supplement does not contain copper, as too much copper can be toxic to goats.

You can provide your goats with a mineral supplement by mixing it into their food or watering it down and offering it in a dish.