This post contains a complete list of supplies needed for goats!
If you're considering buying your first goat(s), you may be wondering things like "how do you take care of a goat (for beginners)?" I'm sure you also have questions like "what do goats need for shelter?" and "what do goats need to survive?"
Well... You're in luck today because, here at Faith Farms, we've been running a goat farm for over 10 years and have learned all the ins and outs of owning goats!
There are definitely things you may think you need, that you actually don't need to invest any money into! And, in addition, I can guarantee there are some supplies for goats that you will definitely need that have not even crossed your mind yet!
That's why, in this post, we're sharing the exact goat farming equipment we've seen success with, as well as exactly what you need for a goat if you plan to milk them!
We hope this list of supplies needed for goats helps you, big time!
Meet Bella! 😍 One of the goats who helps make our goat milk soaps and other goat milk products!
Basic List of Supplies Needed for Goats
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First off... What are the basic needs of goats?
Here is an insanely simple list of the goat basics they need to survive. We will get much (much) more into detail in the sections below!- Food
- Water
- Shelter
- Acreage to browse and pasture
- Fencing
What equipment is needed for a goat to survive?
Goat Farm Setup Supplies List:- Fencing
- Shelter
- Feed (grain and hay)
- Balanced free choice minerals
- Water container
- Hay feeder
- Grain feeder
- Mineral feeder
- Hoof trimmers
- Milk stand
- Stainless steel milk bucket/pan
- A good goat vet
- A goat mentor (highly recommend!)
PRO TIP: To save yourself some money, you can check local farming Facebook groups for used goat supplies!
Supplies for Goats (Broken Down in Detail)
First off... Let's talk about the actual goats themselves! If you're looking to start a goat farm, then it goes without saying that the goats themselves are going to be a main cost. The cost of the goats themselves depends on what type you are looking for.
PRO TIP: Most seasoned goat owners would warn you against buying from a sale barn. Those goats may be cheap, but many are sold there because of health or genetic issues.
Be sure to buy from a reliable source, and if you can find someone to be a goat mentor (a friend you can contact while you are still learning), that will help you majorly!
If you want fully registered goats, the price will increase dramatically to anywhere from $500 for a buck to $1,200 for a doe in milk. The average price for registered goats can range from $50-$150 for bucks and $125-$300 for does.
Goat farm setup: Fencing
Estimated cost: $1,00-$8,000 depending on how large of an area you want to fence and what material you choose.
Starting out, if you already have land, the next step would be to get your fencing. Our best recommendation would be electric fencing or cattle panels. Goats are brilliant animals and it has been said "if your fence can hold water, then it can hold a goat!" Nothing could be more true, as they truly are little escape artists!
Below is a picture of our fencing here at Faith Farms! We do all of our own fencing with cattle panel fencing, T posts, and a T post setter! The cost of fencing has 2 variables: how big of an area you are fencing in and which fencing material you choose.
Personally, we have found electric fencing to be the least expensive option. However, we've also had some goats that would rather take the shock than deny themselves the satisfaction of learning what's on the other side of the fence! (Curious little creatures, they are!)
Here are all the materials we use to set up electric fence. We've also found cattle panels to be the most secure and reliable fencing material. Below is a picture of our electric fence.
Goat farm setup: Shelter
Estimated cost: $300-1,000 depending on the shelter you use and whether you choose to build or buy a shelter.
Most goats need shelter to remain healthy. There are some breeds that are more hearty and can withstand weather elements better, but for the most part, a sturdy, 3-sided shelter is necessary. This provides your goats a break from blistery cold winds, as well as protection from the hot summer sun.
Below is a picture of our goat shelters here at Faith Farms! We use calf hutches and, as seen behind the calf hutches, we have a barn-like shelter set up too!
Goat basics: Feed and feeders
Estimated cost: One goat costs about $15-20 per month to feed.
Feed is another significant cost of owning goats as they need adequate nutrition to thrive. The cost of feed will vary depending on where you live.
Grain is one of the daily needs for nutrition and it needs to be specifically balanced to meet the nutritional needs for your goat(s).
They will also need hay. There are many varieties of hay, and what's available in your region will vary. Generally, orchard grass, alfalfa, and mixed grass hays are good options.
There are also ways to cut down on feed cost. -- Rotational grazing/browse puts your goats on fresh ground every few days and allows them to choose what they will eat.
Goat basics: Goat minerals and mineral feeder
Estimated cost: $15-$50 per monthOne of the most important things you need to give your goat a chance at good health is balanced free choice minerals. Our soils are depleted of the minerals needed to keep goats (and humans -- but that's another story) healthy.
Do some research, but we like Sweetlix Meat Makers goat minerals. (Pictured below.)
Find a good mineral feeder and be sure to have minerals available to optimize your goat's health.
Goat basics: Water container
Estimated cost: $15-100
To water your goats, you can use something as simple as a water bucket, or you can get a bigger water trough. Here at Faith Farms, we use both to ensure that we have plenty of water available for our big and little goats! You may also want to invest in a heated water trough for cold winters!
Goat basics: Hoof trimmers
Estimated cost: $10
Goat's hooves grow just like fingernails or toenails, so they need to be trimmed every 6-8 weeks. Here is a great hoof trimmer that we use on our farm!
Goat milking: Milk stand
Estimated cost: $200-$300 to buy new.
Much less if you DIY your own with scrap wood! If you plan to milk your does, you will need a milk stand to help hold your doe still while you milk. We built ours out of scrap wood from a picnic table, but if you are not in the mood for DIY then you can get this milk stand online or check your local farm store.
Goat milking: Stainless steel milk bucket/pan and filters
Estimated cost: $65-100
You'll also need other milking supplies if you plan to milk your goats. We use stainless steel milk buckets because they are non-toxic (this is very important to us because we are committed to making completely non-toxic goat milk products!)
The stainless steel buckets are also easy to clean!
In addition to your milk bucket, you'll need some good filtering equipment to filter out any impurities in the milk.
At our farm, milking begins around 4-6 weeks after a doe gives birth. We separate the kids from the doe at night so the momma can have a little break, then we milk her in the morning and let the kid nurse the rest of the day! This process is called milk sharing and you can learn more about it in our guide on how to start a goat farm.
Personally, milking our goats is super important around here because we use all of our milk in our goat milk soap! However, there are also over 20+ other uses for goat milk that you may want to utilize your furry friends for.
There are so many goat milk benefits for your health and wellness, so that's definitely worth looking into!
Other Things for Goats: A good goat vet and a goat mentor
Estimated cost: The cost of your vet will vary majorly and the hope for a goat mentor is that you find a friend to help you free of charge!
One of the most invaluable things we've found that we're constantly utilizing is a good goat vet who is confident in helping us take the best care of our goats.
PRO TIP: When looking for the right vet, make sure you find one who is willing to help you learn to do things on your own without having to run to the vet every time you suspect something is wrong. (Been there, done that!)
Also, a goat mentor is equally invaluable! I've even utilized a couple of Facebook groups for help when I had questions, concerns, or even emergencies and going to the vet wasn't an option!
We hope you found this list of supplies needed for goats to be helpful! Need more helpful tips and tricks for homesteading? We've got ya covered! Any questions? Please feel free to comment below!