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Do goats make good pets
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Goats are the perfect pets for some households and not for others. First thing to do is check your local municipal laws to see if it is legal to keep a goat. Goats are also very social so you should consider getting 2 goats so your goats will not be spending the day looking for things to do. A bored or unhappy goat can do a lot of damage and make himself very sick eating everything in site. A happy goat can be a sweet bucolic addition to your homestead. Now, what breed is right for you? There are many and you should look at photos, pasture size requirements, lifespan, health and sociability with humans. Oklahoma State University has a good list with photos.
Although most goats are intelligent and self-sufficient, they are high-energy animals with voracious appetites that can get them into trouble. If not receiving enough food or proper nutrition goats will eat just about anything resulting in sick animals and high vet bills. And even if you are feeding a goat properly, if the goat does not have a large enough to explore and is not receiving enough attention, she may still eat inappropriately out of frustration and just to amuse herself. If you are a gardener, you should securely fence off the area where your decorative plants are so that your goats cannot reach them. Also, carefully look at the greenery that your goats will have access to and remove anything that may make your goats sick. Fias Co Farm has an interesting article on goats and poisonous plants as well as a list of plants.
What to feed your goats depends on the goat breed, size, male or female, whether your goat is lactating, time of year, weather, etc. A basic discussion of goat nutrition can be found at Baby Goat Farm and a extensive piece on goat eating habits and nutrition can be found at Australian Goat Notes.
If you are thinking of getting a goat for milk be aware that once your goat is producing milk, she will need to be milked twice a day at the same time or she may get mastitis. Having a milk goat is a big commitment. If you do not have a regular schedule or a back-up milker, a milk goat may not be the way to go. Also, some people think getting a goat will eliminate their law mowing duties. Your goats may not eat exactly what you want or, if their pasture is not large enough, they may eat your grass down to dirt.
Finally, find a good breeder and do not simply buy the cheapest goat you can find. You need to start with a healthy goat that has been fed properly and wormed from a breeder who will advise you as your goat grows. Fias Co Farm also has good information on getting your first goat. Check out the East Texas goat Raisers Association, South Central Texas goat Club. Once you have narrowed down which breeds you are interested in, contact organizations and clubs for those breeds to find local breeders. There are probably two pet goats out there just waiting for you.
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