| Goats are very versatile and useful animals; it is | | | | ensure that the they will stay healthy to fulfill its |
| no wonder that raising of this kind is one of the | | | | purpose. Moreover the shelter should have |
| most thriving business nowadays. These could be | | | | sufficient natural lighting and good ventilation. |
| raised for its meat, milk, wool or could be kept as | | | | * Fence |
| pets or as show animals. Although raising them as | | | | A sturdy and durable fence is necessary to |
| a business would provide one with a lot of | | | | ensure that the goats stay in place and to keep |
| benefits, not to mention, profits one should | | | | them safe from animal predators as well as to |
| appreciate that this venture is not easy. One | | | | keep other pets out. They are known to be |
| should have at least some basic knowledge about | | | | curious and intelligent animals, they will try to |
| them and appreciation of the various factors to | | | | escape by testing the strength of the fence and |
| be successful in this business. | | | | taking advantage of its weakness. Hence, it is |
| One such factor to consider, especially when going | | | | important that the aspiring raiser invest in a good |
| into the goat meat business, is the establishment | | | | quality fence. |
| of a facility. Even prior to the purchase of the | | | | * Catch pen (holding area) |
| animal, it is very critical that one has a good | | | | A catch pen helps the farmer to easily handle and |
| facility plan and appropriate goat equipment to | | | | restrain the goats by limiting its movement. |
| ensure that the farm will operate effectively and | | | | Depending on the need, the pen could be portable |
| efficiently. | | | | or permanently installed. There are currently a lot |
| High-quality facilities are needed to help the raiser | | | | of readily available goat equipment designed for |
| manage his herd, get ready for a show and other | | | | similar function, that is to effectively and easily |
| daily routine among others. Proper facilities also | | | | handle and manage them for various purposes. |
| protect the goats from predators, and provide | | | | * Working chute (raceway) |
| shelter during feeding, milking and breeding. A | | | | The working chute is helpful to easily lead the |
| good handling facility and equipment will also make | | | | goats from the crowding pen to the holding chute |
| it easier for a farmer to trim hooves or perform | | | | and for getting the herd ready for treatment, |
| other grooming tasks, pierce ear tags, administer | | | | vaccination, or deworming. |
| medication, and weigh the goats. | | | | * Storage shed |
| A well-planned facility positions the structure in a | | | | A storage shed is necessary to protect the goat |
| location that provides the best view and | | | | feeds from deterioration particularly in extreme |
| protection against heat, cold, wind and rain and in | | | | environmental conditions. It is also useful for |
| an area where the farmer could save on labor | | | | storing goat equipment. |
| and energy when tending to the goats. | | | | A suitable facility is just one among the many |
| Furthermore, an excellent facility plan and design | | | | other factors to be considered and learned when |
| should also include the following provisions: | | | | venturing into the goat meat business but with |
| * Goat shelter | | | | the right amount of passion, determination, and |
| One should take into consideration the weather | | | | resourcefulness, farming will indeed prove to be a |
| conditions when deciding on the type of shelter to | | | | very lucrative business. |