# Sovereignty Module: Keep the Herd

## Complete Goat Keeping: From Kid to Milk to Cheese

Goats are the most versatile small livestock, providing milk, meat, fiber, and land clearing. This campaign covers breeds, housing, feeding, milking, breeding, and health management.

### Chapter 1: Breed Selection

| Breed | Purpose | Milk/Day | Temperament | Size | Climate | Special Traits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nubian | Dairy | 1-2 gallons | Vocal, friendly | Large | Hot climates | High butterfat (5%) |
| Alpine | Dairy | 1-2 gallons | Active, curious | Large | Adaptable | Consistent production |
| Saanen | Dairy | 1-3 gallons | Calm, gentle | Large | Cool climates | Highest volume |
| LaMancha | Dairy | 1-2 gallons | Calm, friendly | Medium-large | Adaptable | Tiny ears, high butterfat |
| Nigerian Dwarf | Dairy | 1-2 quarts | Friendly, playful | Small | Adaptable | Very high butterfat (6-10%) |
| Boer | Meat | Low | Docile | Large | Hot climates | Fast growth, muscular |
| Kiko | Meat | Low | Hardy, independent | Large | Adaptable | Parasite resistant |
| Angora | Fiber (mohair) | Low | Gentle | Medium | Moderate | Mohair fiber |
| Spanish | Meat/brush clearing | Low | Hardy | Medium | Hot, arid | Excellent foragers |

### Chapter 2: Housing and Fencing

| Component | Minimum | Ideal | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelter (per goat) | 15 sq ft | 20-25 sq ft | Protection from rain, wind | Three-sided is adequate in mild climates |
| Pasture (per goat) | 200 sq ft | 500+ sq ft | Grazing and exercise | Rotate pastures for parasite control |
| Fence height | 4 feet | 5 feet | Containment | Goats are excellent climbers and jumpers |
| Fence type | Woven wire | Electric + woven wire | Predator protection | Electric wire at top and bottom |

Fencing principles: 1) Goats test every fence constantly (they are escape artists). 2) Woven wire (not welded wire) is strongest. 3) No climb horse fence (2x4 inch mesh) is ideal. 4) Electric fence: hot wire at nose height (inside) deters pushing. 5) Hot wire at bottom prevents digging/crawling under. 6) Posts every 8-10 feet (closer on corners). 7) Corner posts must be very strong (braced). 8) Check fence daily (goats find weaknesses immediately).

### Chapter 3: Feeding

| Feed | When | Amount | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pasture/browse | Daily (primary) | Free choice | Main nutrition | Goats prefer browse (shrubs, weeds) over grass |
| Hay (grass or alfalfa) | When pasture is limited | 3-5 lbs/day | Fiber, nutrition | Alfalfa for dairy does |
| Grain | Milking does, growing kids | 1-2 lbs/day | Energy, protein | Do not overfeed (urinary calculi in bucks) |
| Minerals (loose) | Free choice always | Self-regulated | Essential minerals | Goat-specific (not sheep mineral; copper needed) |
| Baking soda | Free choice | Self-regulated | Rumen buffer | Prevents bloat |
| Fresh water | Always available | 1-3 gallons/day | Hydration | Clean, fresh daily |

### Chapter 4: Milking

| Aspect | Detail | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Milking schedule | Every 12 hours | Twice daily | Consistency is critical |
| Milk per session | 1/2 to 1.5 gallons | Per milking | Varies by breed and stage |
| Lactation length | 10 months | Per breeding | Dry off 2 months before kidding |
| Milk handling | Strain, chill immediately | Every milking | Cool to 40°F within 1 hour |
| Pasteurization | 145°F for 30 min or 161°F for 15 sec | Optional | Raw milk legal in some areas |

Milking procedure: 1) Wash udder with warm water and clean cloth. 2) Strip first few squirts into separate container (check for abnormalities). 3) Milk into clean, sanitized stainless steel pail. 4) Wrap thumb and forefinger around base of teat (trap milk). 5) Squeeze remaining fingers in sequence (push milk out). 6) Do not pull teat downward (causes injury). 7) Alternate teats rhythmically. 8) Milk until udder feels empty and soft. 9) Apply teat dip after milking (prevents mastitis). 10) Strain milk through filter into clean jar. 11) Chill immediately in ice water bath. 12) Goat milk is naturally homogenized (cream does not separate easily).

### Chapter 5: Breeding and Kidding

| Timeline | Event | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (Sep-Dec) | Breeding season | Does cycle every 18-21 days |
| Day 0 | Breeding | Buck with doe for 2-3 cycles |
| Day 145-155 | Kidding (birth) | Average gestation: 150 days |
| Birth | Kids born | 1-4 kids typical |
| Day 1-3 | Colostrum | Critical for kid immunity |
| Week 1-8 | Nursing | Kids nurse from dam |
| Week 8-12 | Weaning | Gradual separation |
| Month 2 | Begin milking | After kids are weaned |

### Reference Card

1. Goats are browsers, not grazers (goats prefer shrubs, weeds, and tree leaves over grass; they are nature's brush clearers). 2. Never keep a single goat (goats are herd animals and become stressed, noisy, and destructive when kept alone; minimum two goats). 3. Goats need copper (unlike sheep, goats require copper in their mineral supplement; sheep mineral without copper will cause deficiency). 4. Fence for Houdini (goats are the greatest escape artists in the animal kingdom; build fences assuming they will test every weakness). 5. Consistency in milking (milk at the same times every day; irregular milking reduces production and increases mastitis risk). 6. Chill milk immediately (goat milk flavor depends on rapid cooling; milk that cools slowly develops a goaty taste). 7. Rotate pastures for parasites (internal parasites are the number one health problem in goats; rotating pastures breaks the parasite lifecycle). 8. Start with two does (two dairy does provide enough milk for a family plus cheese making; add a buck only when you are ready to breed).