Thank you for your interest in Spanish goats.
Let's go over some basic information about the Spanish goat breed.
Before You Buy ~ Verify:
Oftentimes"Spanish" means "any nondescript brush goat." What some sellers are calling 'Spanish' might just be a Boer and/or Nubian crossed with Spanish.
All of the breeders that are listed on the Spanish Goat Association website have been verified as Spanish goat producers, but that does not mean they do not have other breeds of goats and/or that they are not cross breeding them. Buying an SGR DNA Registered goat is the best way to ensure the genetics. Ask questions!
Signed Bill of Sale:
We all know how important a receipt can be. Make sure to get a Bill of Sale from the seller that includes details:
- Ear Tag
- DOB
- Fullblood or Crossed
- Parents if known
Additionally, have your seller sign and date the Bill of Sale.
Best Goats for Me:
In a perfect world, you would be able to find goats in your region (within 100 miles) that are being managed in the same way that you want to manage goats. Now some folks have their heart set on a particular bloodline and they may need to go outside their region and management style to find them. If this is the case, then make sure you know how these have been managed and slowly (over a year's time), transition them to your management style. It will take them that long to fully adapt and thrive. Ask Questions!
Transportation:
Transporting Spanish goats creates a lot of stress for the goat. It is important not to put hay or shavings down because they may scratch their eyes. Additionally, they are not going to eat or drink while in transit. If you have a long trip, you can stop halfway for a hay and water break, but pick up the water bucket and loose hay. It is important to have a wind break and protection from rain and/or direct sun. If you are transporting large males and females it is best to separate them. Additionally, any kids should be put in a separate compartment as well. The journey stirs up the goats and they can get rough. There are reliable transporters that can deliver your goats.
Quarantine:
When you bring goats home, you will want to keep them separate from other animals on your property for at least 30 days to ensure they are healthy and will not contaminate or infect your animals.
Fencing:
It is best to use “Field Fence” or “4x4 woven fence” to contain goats, at least 48” High. Electric netting is effective if you know how to use it and have purchased the right equipment, otherwise it can be challenging for you and fatal for the goats. Barbed wire works with enough strains no more than six inches apart and 48” high with posts at least every 20 feet.
Shelters:
If the goats you purchased are from the same climate region and did not have shelters, then they don’t need shelters. But if you are bringing them into a different environment then they may need a shelter. We suggest no more than two sides and a roof, as well as leaving the bottom foot open so kids can escape aggressive females if need be. Shelters can be a hot bed of parasites and pneumonia causing bacteria. Keep it clean.
Nutrition:
How to meet the nutritional needs of your goat is another conversation with a lot of opinions and options and no one right answer. Spanish goats can survive a lot of pressure but that pressure will be reflected in your production results.
Typically, goats need 3 and one half pounds of minimum twelve percent protein daily. Different stages of a goat's life also require different nutritional supplements. Looking at your pastures does not tell you the nutritional content or if you have enough area to feed the number of goats you want to purchase. Some breeders use composite goat feeds, goat mineral, and hay to keep their goat’s nutritional needs met without consideration of the available forage.
Other breeders test their soils and forage and supplement the soils and plant annuals along with providing minerals to meet their goat’s nutrition needs. Some do a little of both. The bottom line is clean water and good minerals are the basics, what and how to feed your herd will be a process. There is information out there to help you determine your management style.
There's one more thing that beginners should get: a subscription to Goat Rancher magazine. www.goatrancher.com
We're here to help, so please feel free to contact us by e-mail to info@spanishgoatregistry.com
