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What are the basic facts about goats?

Last Updated: October 24, 2011

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Basic facts about goats:

• Goats are small ruminants with four-chambered stomach (three forestomachs and one true stomach) like sheep. So, can digest high-fiber diet. 

• Labor requirement for goats (five hours per doe per year) is higher than for beef cattle.

• Goats do not like to get wet and seek shelter in the rain. They like clean and dry places.

• Goats like to climb and jump, so need better fencing than for cattle to contain them.

• Goats can be contained in properly constructed fences.  can be acca       vc

• Goats do not herd or flow through handling equipment as well as cattle.

• Goats prefer to browse. They get on their hind legs to eat.

• Male goats have an offensive odor, especially during the mating season.

• Male goats are very aggressive and can be difficult to manage.

• Goats are seasonal breeders.

• Goats seem to be more susceptible to parasites, especially the barberpole worm, in grazing situations than cattle.

• The demand for goat meat is almost entirely ethnic or religiously based. • Goats are just as susceptible to predators as other livestock.

• Most goats (both sexes) are naturally horned.

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