Books and Resources to Start Strong
Before you invest in equipment, invest in knowledge. These books cover the practical and financial foundations of goat farming, from daily management to building a sustainable operation.
Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats by Jeff Belanger
This is the most detailed reference for dairy goat operations. It covers breed selection, housing design, milking systems, health management, and basic business planning. If you’re starting a dairy operation, this book walks you through the systems and equipment choices that actually work on small farms.
Shop Storey’s Guide to Raising Dairy Goats on Amazon →
Raising Meat Goats by Sheryl Malone
Focused on meat production, this book explains breed differences, pasture management, processing, and the equipment you actually need versus nice-to-have items. It’s practical and cuts through unnecessary complexity for producers focused on meat sales.
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The Backyard Goat: Raising and Enjoying Healthy, Happy Goats by Sue Weaver
Good for smaller operations and hobby farms. This book emphasizes practical fencing, shelter, and pasture management on limited land. It’s honest about space requirements and includes real cost estimates for basic setups.
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Starting & Running Your Own Small Farm Business by Ron and Sy Macher
This book addresses the business side: licensing, pricing, permits, insurance, and marketing. You need equipment to run goats, but you also need to understand the regulations and costs that come with selling products. This fills that gap.
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Equipment You Need
Goat farming requires far less equipment than many other livestock operations, but quality matters in specific areas. The equipment below is organized by function so you can prioritize based on your farm size and production type.
Shelter and Housing
- Goat shelter or barn: A basic three-sided structure with a roof protects from rain and wind. Size depends on herd, but plan 15–20 square feet per goat indoors.
- Hay feeders: Reduces waste and keeps hay off the ground where it gets contaminated.
- Grain feeders: Individual or group feeders prevent dominant goats from overfeeding.
- Water troughs: Durable, easy to clean troughs or automatic waterers; assume 1–2 gallons per goat daily.
- Ventilation fans (optional for hot climates): Goats tolerate cold well but struggle above 75°F.
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Fencing
- Perimeter fencing: Goats jump and test barriers. Use 4–5 foot-high fencing (field fence or woven wire) with a ground skirt to prevent digging underneath.
- Portable electric fencing: Useful for rotating pastures and containing herd sections. Goats need stronger settings than sheep.
- Fence posts and hardware: Plan for repairs and expansion; goats will find weak spots.
- Gates: Heavy-duty gates that latch securely; goats learn to open simple latches.
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Dairy Equipment (If Milking)
- Milking stand: Elevates the goat to a comfortable working height and holds her in place. Essential if you’re hand-milking or using a small machine.
- Stainless steel milk buckets: Food-grade, easy to clean, and durable.
- Milk filters and strainers: Required for food safety if you sell milk or dairy products.
- Cooling and storage: A dedicated cooler or small refrigerator specifically for milk. Milk must cool to 35°F within one hour of collection.
- Sanitizing supplies: Soap, bleach, and clean towels for sanitizing equipment between milkings.
- Small milking machine (optional): A personal-use milking machine costs $1,500–$4,000 and saves time with larger herds.
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Health and Herd Management
- Hoof trimmers: Goat hooves grow continuously; trimming every 6–8 weeks prevents lameness and hoof rot.
- Deworming supplies: Oral dewormers, injectable treatments, and a drench gun for administering medicine.
- First aid kit: Bandages, antiseptic, electrolytes, probiotics, and pain relievers.
- Thermometer: Digital rectal thermometer to monitor for fever or illness.
- Scale for kids: A hanging scale or platform scale monitors kid growth and weight gain.
- Tattoo kit or ear tags: Required for meat inspection and herd tracking; tattoos are permanent registration.
- Livestock syringes and needles: For vaccinations and injected medications.
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Feed and Pasture Management
- Hay storage: A covered area or hay shed protects feed from weather and reduces waste.
- Grain storage bins: Rodent-proof metal or plastic bins keep grain fresh and pest-free.
- Pasture tools: Rotary cutter, brush hog, or string trimmer to manage pasture and prevent overgrowth of woody plants.
- Mineral feeders: Separate mineral and salt feeders ensure goats get required supplements.
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Daily and Cleaning Tools
- Wheel barrow: For bedding, hay, and waste management.
- Pitchfork and shovel: Essential for cleaning shelters and manure management.
- Hoses and nozzles: For filling water troughs and washing equipment.
- Brush and grooming tools: Keeps goats clean and lets you monitor for skin conditions.
What to Buy First vs Later
Start with the essentials and add capacity as your herd grows. Avoid overbuying before you understand your actual needs.
- First priority: Secure shelter, perimeter fencing, water, feeders, and basic health supplies. Without these, your goats are at risk.
- Second priority (first 6 months): Pasture management tools, hoof trimmers, dewormer, and a milking stand if you’re milking. You’ll develop a routine and understand daily labor better.
- Third priority (year 1+): Milk cooling equipment, a small milking machine, a scale, and expanded storage as your herd grows.
- Later additions: Automated systems, larger machinery, or secondary processing equipment only if your operation generates enough revenue to justify the investment.
New vs Used Equipment
Buy used when possible, but not on everything. Used equipment saves money, but poor-quality shelter or broken fencing creates problems that cost more to fix than the savings.
Buy new: Fencing materials, feeders, waterers, milking equipment (cleanliness matters for food safety), and health supplies. These items see heavy use and need reliable performance. Buy used: Shelters or barns if the structure is sound, hay storage, gates, hoses, tools, and scales. Inspect used structures carefully for rot, leaks, or structural damage before committing. Used equipment from farms downsizing or exiting the business is often well-maintained and cost-effective.
Where to Buy
- Farm and ranch supply stores (Tractor Supply, Ace Hardware): Local pickup, immediate availability, and staff familiar with livestock needs.
- Specialty livestock suppliers: Better selection of milking equipment, tattoo kits, and breed-specific supplies than big-box retailers.
- Used farm equipment sites (Craigslist, Facebook Farm Groups, local auctions): Significant savings on shelters, feeders, and tools. Join your local agricultural extension or goat associations for recommendations and trusted sellers.
- Veterinary suppliers: Health and pharmaceutical supplies; some require a veterinary relationship for certain products.
- Farmers markets and other goat farmers: Direct recommendations on equipment that actually works at your scale and climate.
- Amazon: Convenient for smaller supplies like hoof trimmers, thermometers, and tools, but check local availability first for larger items.