The wild goats of today include the Ibex (the only wild goat in Europe), Bezoar (Persian wild goat), Markhor (Afghanistan, Kashmir) and the Tur and Tahrs or ‘half-goats’. There are no indigenous wild goat species on the American continent; it would appear that their range did not extend northwards and across the Bering straits land bridge. Less closely related species include the Chamois, the Goral, Serow and Tahr (sometimes known as the Himalayan wild goat). The Rocky Mountain Goat in North America is actually an antelope.

The domestication of the goat appears to have occured around Iran or Turkey before 7,000 BC. The Tahr were introduced into NZ in the early 1900’s and remain the only wild population outside their native habitat. (Needless to say, the NZ Department of Conservation would love to see them all shot if it weren’t for the Game Animal Industry).

Goats are farmed for three main purposes; fibre, milk, and meat and are also used as weed controllers on many NZ farms. Fibre production focuses around Mohair and Cashmere. Cashmere is the finest of all types of goat fibre and is the name of the fibre, not the goat. Mohair is produced by the Angora Goat, Angora fibre is actually from Angora Rabbits, not goats!

Comparisons of the finest fleeces can be made, in terms of fibre diameter (microns) of the following:

(As a matter of interest a Vicuna fleece is buttery soft and fabulously expensive, around US$ 4,575 for a pullover)!

Important milk producers are the Toggenburg, Saanen and Anglo-Nubian.

The goats diet of twigs, leaves and bark with pasture back-up accesses the minerals held deep in the soil. Pasture only feed requires mineralising paddocks with good mixed herbal leys and a pH of 5.9 — 7.0. Use legumes, plantain and dandelion rather than a clover-dominated pasture. However, Legumes, including Lucerne trees, if eaten in excess, may deplete iodine levels — look at this feed if you have an excess of buck kids born. Fodder trees includes Coprosma, Willow, Casuarinas, Wattles, Elm, Poplar, Apple, Pear and Nut. Also many NZ natives including Pittosporum seem to find favour with all goats. Goats thrive on (need) roughage.

Plants to avoid at all costs include arum lilies(toxic), avocado foliage (reduces milk in lactating animals), eucalyptus shoots (very high in prussic acid), lilac (poisons the milk, not the adult goat, as does privet), linseed (boil for 4 hrs before feeding), rhododendron, oleander and azalea (deadly), St John’s Wort (too high in copper for white goats, as is Red Clover). If you suspect poisoning from your ornamentals give vitamin C orally — about 10g for adult.

Goats do not respond well to tethering, and if keeping them as weed-cutters on the side of the road ensure they have adequate water and shelter.

Apart from feed, foot care and parasite control are two chronic areas of concern with goats. Bloat and Pneumonia can be emergency situations.

Footrot:
Prevention is always better than cure; use the Foot Rot Nosode 30c at the beginning of Autumn and Spring, weekly for 6-8 weeks depending on how wet the weather is.

If hooves have become infected use Hepar Sulph 1M daily for 7 days; follow up with Silicea 200c twice weekly for about 4 weeks.

Bloat:
Bloat is a form of indigestion with an acute swelling of the rumen and arises suddenly when gas in the stomach is produced faster than it is eliminated. The Goat becomes increasingly distressed and anxious looking.

Start immediately with Carbo Veg 200c every 1/2 hr. Acute cases with loose stools may respond to Colchicum 30c. Lycopodium helps reduce the amount of gas and aid digestion. The frothy bloat that comes on after eating rich grass etc. needs Antimonium Crud.

Pneumonia:
This can be in the form of Bronchopneumonia, Viral pneumonia or caused by stress. Signs: a rise in temperature, coughing, depression and lack of appetite. Respirations are increased and clear mucus may appear on the nostrils (this may soon change to a purulent discharge). One of the main early remedies to be given as soon as possible is Ferrum Phos. Where moist coughing and frothy saliva is present consider Ant.Tart. The Goat who just will not move, preferring to lie down, and keeping very still because any movement is very painful would benefit from homeopathic Bryonia. Young animals with a spasmodic cough require Drosera.

Internal parasite control is easily maintained on a herbal / homeopathic combination which should include Lungworm.

The rearing of young kids at weaning should be given Calc Phos 30c twice weekly for 8 weeks, then reducing to once weekly for another 8 weeks.