# Sovereignty Module: Tend the Herd

## Complete Goat Keeping, Dairy Production, and Fiber Harvesting Guide

Goats are the most versatile livestock for small homesteads — providing milk, meat, fiber, and brush clearing on marginal land that cannot support cattle.

### Chapter 1: Breed Selection

| Breed | Purpose | Milk (lbs/day) | Butterfat % | Adult Weight | Temperament | Climate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nubian | Dairy | 4-6 | 4.5-5% (highest) | 135-175 lbs | Vocal, friendly | Hot climates |
| Alpine | Dairy | 5-8 | 3.5% | 135-155 lbs | Active, hardy | All climates |
| Saanen | Dairy (highest volume) | 6-10 | 3-3.5% | 135-185 lbs | Calm, docile | Cool climates |
| LaMancha | Dairy | 4-7 | 4% | 130-160 lbs | Very calm | All climates |
| Nigerian Dwarf | Dairy (small) | 1-3 | 6-10% (richest) | 60-80 lbs | Friendly, small | All climates |
| Boer | Meat | Low | - | 200-340 lbs | Docile | Hot/dry |
| Kiko | Meat (hardy) | Low | - | 150-250 lbs | Independent | All climates |
| Angora | Fiber (mohair) | Low | - | 70-110 lbs | Docile | Dry climates |
| Cashmere | Fiber (cashmere) | Low | - | 80-130 lbs | Hardy | Cold climates |

### Chapter 2: Housing and Fencing

| Component | Specification | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter | 15-20 sq ft per goat (minimum) | Rain/wind protection | Three-sided OK in mild climates. Must be dry. |
| Fencing height | 4-5 feet minimum | Containment | Goats jump AND climb. No horizontal rails to climb. |
| Fence type | Woven wire (4×4 inch mesh) or electric | Containment + predator deterrent | NOT cattle panels (heads get stuck) |
| Bedding | Straw or wood shavings, 4-6 inches | Comfort, moisture absorption | Deep litter method: add fresh on top, clean 2×/year |
| Hay feeder | Elevated, covered | Prevents waste and parasites | Goats will NOT eat hay off the ground |
| Water | 2-4 gallons per goat per day (more when lactating) | Hydration | Must be clean. Goats refuse dirty water. |
| Milking stand | Elevated platform with head stanchion | Restraint during milking | Build at comfortable height (18-24 inches) |

### Chapter 3: Feeding

| Feed | Purpose | Amount | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Browse (leaves, brush, weeds) | Primary natural diet | Free choice (pasture) | Year-round if available |
| Grass hay (timothy, orchard) | Winter/supplemental roughage | 3-5 lbs per goat per day | When pasture unavailable |
| Alfalfa hay | Protein + calcium (lactating does) | 2-4 lbs per day | During lactation and late pregnancy |
| Grain (16% dairy ration) | Energy for milk production | 1 lb per 3 lbs milk produced | During milking only |
| Minerals (loose goat mineral) | Copper, selenium, zinc | Free choice | Always available |
| Baking soda | Rumen pH buffer | Free choice | Always available (prevents bloat) |
| Fresh water | Hydration | 2-4 gallons per day (4-6 lactating) | Always available, clean |

Critical: Goats NEED copper (unlike sheep, which are copper-toxic). Never feed sheep mineral to goats. Goats also need selenium in deficient areas. Signs of copper deficiency: faded coat color, fish-tail (hair loss at tail tip), poor immune function.

### Chapter 4: Milking

| Step | Action | Purpose | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lead doe to milking stand, secure head, offer grain | Calm, cooperative milking | Consistent routine = cooperative goat |
| 2 | Wash udder with warm water/dilute iodine | Sanitation, stimulates letdown | Dry with clean towel |
| 3 | Strip first 3 squirts from each teat into strip cup | Check for mastitis (clots, blood, off-color) | Discard these squirts |
| 4 | Milk completely: wrap hand around teat, squeeze top to bottom | Extract all milk | Incomplete milking = mastitis risk |
| 5 | Dip teats in teat dip (iodine solution) after milking | Prevents bacteria entering open teat | Teat canal stays open 30 minutes after milking |
| 6 | Strain milk through filter into clean jar | Remove hair, debris | Stainless steel strainer + disposable filter |
| 7 | Chill immediately (below 40F within 1 hour) | Preserves freshness, prevents bacteria growth | Ice bath or refrigerator |

Milking schedule: 2× daily (12 hours apart) for maximum production. 1× daily acceptable (reduces production 30-40% but still viable). Consistency is critical — same time every day.

### Chapter 5: Breeding and Kidding

| Timeline | Event | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (September-January) | Breeding season (does come into heat every 18-21 days) | Introduce buck or use AI |
| Heat signs | Tail flagging, vocalization, swollen vulva, mucus discharge | Breed 12-24 hours after onset |
| Gestation | 145-155 days (average 150) | Monitor weight, increase nutrition last 6 weeks |
| 2 weeks before due | Separate to kidding pen (clean, dry, private) | Prepare supplies: towels, iodine, molasses water |
| Kidding day | Signs: pawing, talking to sides, discharge, restlessness | Usually unassisted. Intervene if pushing 30+ min with no progress. |
| Immediately after birth | Clear airways, dip navel in iodine (7%), ensure nursing within 1 hour | Colostrum within first hour is CRITICAL (antibodies) |
| First 2 weeks | Kids nurse freely from dam | Monitor weight gain (should double birth weight by 2 weeks) |

### Chapter 6: Health and Parasites

| Parasite/Disease | Symptoms | Prevention | Treatment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barber pole worm (Haemonchus) | Pale inner eyelids (FAMACHA), bottle jaw, weakness | Rotational grazing, browse (not grass), dry lots | Dewormers (rotate classes) |
| Coccidia | Diarrhea in kids (3-8 weeks old) | Clean dry bedding, prevent overcrowding | Sulfa drugs (Corid/amprolium) |
| Pneumonia | Cough, nasal discharge, fever, rapid breathing | Ventilation (no drafts), dry bedding, reduce stress | Antibiotics (veterinary guidance) |
| Mastitis | Hot/hard udder, clots in milk, pain | Clean milking practices, complete milking | Antibiotics + frequent milking |
| Bloat | Distended left side, discomfort, difficulty breathing | Free-choice baking soda, avoid sudden diet changes | Vegetable oil drench (60-120ml), massage rumen |
| Hoof rot | Limping, foul smell, overgrown/soft hooves | Trim hooves every 6-8 weeks, dry ground | Trim, copper sulfate foot bath, zinc sulfate |

### Reference Card

1. Minimum 2 goats always (herd animals, will be miserable and destructive alone).
2. 4-5 foot woven wire fence minimum. No horizontal rails. Electric wire at top and bottom.
3. Goats are browsers (leaves, brush), not grazers (grass). Elevated feeding prevents parasites.
4. Milk 2× daily, 12 hours apart. Chill immediately. Strain through filter. Consistent schedule.
5. Loose goat minerals (with copper) free choice. NOT sheep minerals. Free-choice baking soda.
6. FAMACHA scoring: check inner eyelid color weekly. Pale = anemia = worm load = treat immediately.
7. Gestation 150 days. Colostrum within 1 hour of birth is non-negotiable (kid will die without it).
8. 1 dairy goat = 1-2 gallons milk per day at peak. Enough for family + cheese + soap.