A miniature goat’s health program begins long before the goat is offered for sale.

Our management program includes vaccination, parasite monitoring, hoof care, handling, veterinary care, herd testing, reproductive management, and identification.

Miniature Goat Vaccinations

Our core vaccination program centers around CD&T, which protects against Clostridium perfringens types C and D and tetanus.

Adult Goats

Adult goats receive an annual CD&T booster, generally timed approximately 30 days before kidding when appropriate so does can develop maternal antibodies before their kids are born.

Goat Kids

Kids generally receive their first CD&T vaccination at approximately 6–8 weeks of age, followed by a booster approximately 3–4 weeks later.

Additional vaccinations may be considered based on veterinary recommendations, regional risk, herd circumstances, and the individual animal.

Rabies vaccination may be used where recommended by our veterinarian.

CL vaccination is not treated as a routine universal vaccine in our program. Its use is considered only in appropriate closed-herd circumstances following veterinary evaluation.

FAMACHA Scoring & Parasite Control

Goats can be particularly susceptible to gastrointestinal parasites, including the barber pole worm, Haemonchus contortus.

Instead of automatically deworming goats on a fixed calendar, we use an integrated parasite-control approach.

During warm and wet periods, we monitor goats regularly using FAMACHA scoring to help identify anemia risk.

We also use fecal egg counts when appropriate to determine whether treatment is warranted.

This approach helps avoid unnecessary deworming and supports responsible parasite management and reduced resistance.

Our parasite-control program may include:

• Regular FAMACHA monitoring
• Targeted fecal egg counts
• Treatment based on individual need
• Veterinary guidance for medication selection and dosage
• Pasture rotation
• Clean bedding
• Keeping feed off the ground
• Appropriate dry-lot management during wet conditions
• Coccidiosis prevention and management for young kids when appropriate

Goat deworming medications and dosages are selected specifically for goats and should be administered according to veterinary guidance.

Coccidiosis Prevention

Young goats can be particularly vulnerable to coccidiosis during stressful periods such as weaning.

Depending on herd conditions and veterinary recommendations, kids may receive preventive coccidiostat management during the higher-risk period, commonly around 4–12 weeks of age.

The goal is to prevent problems before they become severe while avoiding unnecessary medication.

Miniature Goat Hoof Care

Healthy feet are essential for miniature goats.

Adult goats generally receive hoof trimming approximately every 4–8 weeks, depending on individual growth rate, environment, pasture surface, and hoof condition.

Kids begin learning to have their feet handled early.

Initial hoof inspection, handling, and light trimming or rasping may begin around 4–6 weeks of age.

Early handling makes routine hoof care much easier as the goat matures.

Kid Handling & Socialization

We begin handling kids from Day 1.

Early, positive interaction helps young goats become accustomed to being touched, picked up, restrained, and handled by people.

Our early handling may include:

• Gentle daily contact
• Touch desensitization
• Leg and hoof handling
• Ear handling
• Basic restraint
• Familiarity with people
• Halter introduction
• Leading
• Standing on a milk stand

Around 4–6 weeks, appropriate kids may begin learning to wear a small, properly fitted halter and practice basic leading and standing.

The goal isn’t to rush training. It’s to create goats that are easier and safer to handle throughout their lives.

Bottle Baby Goat Care

When we raise bottle babies, we place a strong emphasis on adequate colostrum during the critical first hours of life.

After the initial colostrum period, bottle kids may transition to fresh goat milk or an appropriate milk replacer according to their individual needs and our management program.

Bottle feeding may occur 3–4 times per day, with weaning generally occurring around 8–12 weeks, depending on the kid’s development and feeding program.

Bottle babies also receive additional human interaction, which can help them become exceptionally accustomed to people.

Veterinary Care

Our miniature goats receive veterinary oversight as part of our herd-health program.

Our veterinary care may include:

• Annual herd health examinations
• Pre-breeding examinations
• Health evaluations
• Reproductive care
• Pregnancy monitoring
• Emergency veterinary care
• Disease testing
• Health documentation
• Veterinary guidance for vaccinations and parasite control

Late pregnancy receives particular attention because does can be at increased risk for nutritional problems such as pregnancy toxemia and ketosis.

We monitor pregnant does and provide assistance during kidding when necessary.

Miniature Goat Herd Health Testing

We take herd health seriously because disease prevention begins with the breeding herd.

Our health-testing program includes routine testing for:

CAE

Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis (CAE) is an important infectious disease of goats.

Testing helps us monitor the health status of the herd and make informed management decisions.

CL

Caseous Lymphadenitis (CL) is another important disease consideration in goat herds.

Our herd health program includes CL monitoring and testing.

Johne’s Disease

We also include Johne’s disease in our herd-health testing program.

Testing may be performed annually or biannually depending on the herd-health schedule and veterinary recommendations.

Closed Herd Health Philosophy

Our goal is to maintain a controlled herd environment and reduce unnecessary disease exposure.

When animals are added to a breeding program, disease prevention and health status are important considerations.

We prioritize long-term herd health over constantly adding outside animals.

This approach can help reduce unnecessary exposure to infectious diseases and protect the animals already in the herd.

Scrapie Identification

Sheep and goats are subject to federal identification requirements in a variety of interstate and ownership-change situations.

We maintain appropriate USDA Scrapie identification for goats when required.

Official identification can include approved ear tags and other approved identification methods depending on the circumstances. APHIS also recognizes certain approved breed-registry tattoos for qualifying registered animals.