Dairy Goats — Animal Guide — Holly's Homestead

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Space

4–5m² shelter, 200m²+ browsing area per goat

Diet

Pasture/browse + hay + dairy goat pellets while milking

Water

Constant fresh access, high intake while lactating

Temperament

Intelligent, social, can be escape artists

Lifespan

10–15 years

01Rotate the browse

Goats are natural browsers rather than pure grazers — happiest with access to shrubs, weeds, and varied vegetation, and pasture holds up much better if you rotate them between areas.

02Housing & setup

Shelter

Dry, draft-free shelter — goats dislike rain far more than cold.

Fencing

Sturdy, well-secured fencing at least 1.2m high — goats are notorious escape artists.

Bedding

Straw, changed regularly to keep the shelter dry.

03Daily care

Milk twice daily at consistent times once in lactation.
Provide varied browse plus quality hay, especially over winter.
Trim hooves every 6–8 weeks.
Keep at least two goats — they are herd animals and struggle badly alone.

04Health & problems

Bloat — from sudden access to rich, wet pasture; introduce new feed gradually.
Worms — monitor and treat as part of a regular parasite management plan.
Escaping — check and reinforce fencing regularly.
Mastitis — keep milking routine consistent and udders clean.

05Production & harvest

Yield

2–4 litres of milk per day at peak lactation, breed-dependent.

Milking

Twice daily, roughly 12 hours apart.

Lactation

Around 8–10 months following kidding, then a dry period before the next kidding.

Storage

Fresh milk in the fridge a few days; freezes reasonably well for cooking use.

06Compatibility & considerations

Good with

Other goats (herd animals, need company)Orchards for light browsing (with bark protection)

Avoid keeping with

Being kept aloneUnsecured toxic plants nearby (many common garden/ornamental plants are toxic to goats)

Note

Check exactly which plants on your property are toxic to goats before giving them free range — the list is longer than most people expect.