08/28/1997

Goat Selection and Management Featured at Field Day

CLANTON, Ala. - Considering getting a goat? Experts suggest to select one carefully so that health problems don't get your goat.

Barbara Diffay, assistant professor in Tuskegee University's School of Veterinary Medicine, recently gave tips on selecting and caring for goats during a field day held at the Chilton Area Horticulture Substation (CAHS) in Clanton. Diffay was one of many research and extension personnel on the field day program, which drew some 125 people and covered everything from fruit and vegetable production to goat and pond management. The CAHS is an outlying research unit of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station.

According to Diffay, who also is Extension veterinarian with the Cooperative Extension Veterinary Program at Tuskegee, goats are delightful pets and commercial goat production is thriving in Alabama. Regardless of whether a goat is bought for commercial use or as a pet, certain criteria should be used when selecting a new member of the herd or family.

"If you are going to buy a goat for your farm, there are things you should look for when you select the animal," said Diffay. "Look at its eyes and see if there is any discharge and examine its nose for discharge."

Diffay explained that runny noses and eyes may indicate the animal has a contagious ailment, such as pinkeye, that could spread to other goats on a farm and also could affect the health of the purchased goat. She also said to look for sores or scabs on the mouth. These could indicate a condition known as "orf" that is contagious to other goats as well to humans. Diffay warned against touching any such sores or scabs found around a goat's mouth.

Diffay also suggested checking a goat's shoulders, under its ears and other body areas for knots that may indicate abscesses or boils, which could rupture and infect other animals. Foot rot is another ailment that can affect a goat's health and be spread to herd mates. Diffay told her audience at the field day to check a potential new goat for any sign of lameness, sores between its claws or a bad odor emanating from the foot.

Buyers also should check a new animal for ear mites, ringworm, scabies and lice. While all of these are treatable, Diffay noted that no one wants to bring new problems home and risk spreading them to other animals.

Newly purchased goats should be isolated or at least separated from other animals for four weeks, added Diffay. Isolation means the new animal has no direct contact with other goats during the quarantine period. Separation, said Diffay, means that new animals have no close contact with other goats.

"This time allows the animals to become acclimated to their new environment with minimal stress," she said. "The owner also is better able to observe the new animal for behavior patterns, feeding requirements and the possibility of incubating disease conditions."

During the field day, Diffay also demonstrated the proper way to trim a goat's foot. "This is not one of the favorite jobs of goat owners, but it is necessary," said Diffay. "A goat's foot should be trimmed every four to six weeks, depending on the type of ground they are on, their conformation, genetics and other factors. Trimming the hoof helps keep the animal sound and healthy, while an overgrown foot can harbor germs, cripple an animal and can result in foot rot."

According to Diffay, good goat husbandry requires proper attention to many health and management issues, from proper nutrition to health care. But, she noted, goats make wonderful pets and production animals. For more information on goat husbandry, contact Diffay at (334) 727-8461.

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

08/28/97