Raising Goats for Meat

The demand for goat meat, or chevon, in the United States, is growing exponentially. Raising goat for meat would be a wise economic venture. Americans with African, Southern Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Spanish, and Caribbean origins thrive on goat meat. Ethnic groups, mostly, love the high protein content of chevon along with its lean taste. Certain parts of the goat are a delicacy in many cultures. For example, Spanish groups prefer cabrito, goat kid meat and in Africa, goat meat is a staple product.

Choose a Breed

To raise goat meat, you first need to select a breed. The most common breeds for raising meat goats include:

• Spanish Goats, also known as brush goats, clear away vegetation. This type was originally from Spain and brought to the Caribbean. Later the goats were transferred to the United States. They were used for milk, meat, cheese, and farming.
• Kiko Goats are parasite resistant, aggressive foragers, low maintenance, high performance, and active breeders. They can grow to size without added feedings.
• Boer Goat is a South African goat. These goats are hardy, mild-mannered, and adaptable.
• Myotonic Goats are also known as Tennessee fainting goats. They freeze for a few seconds and fall down when they feel panic or are afraid.
• Nubian Goat is a domestic animal from Great Britain. They are versatile and can handle extremely low temperatures.
• Savanna is a crossbreed of meat goat that is resistant to hot and dry environments. They are also adaptable to extreme weather changes.

Housing for Meat Goats

Meat goats should be held in a simple structure that is clean and dry. They must have heavy fencing that the animals cannot chew through. A perimeter fence surrounding the entire property could be helpful in keeping out goat predators.

What to Feed Your Goats

Goats thrive on a specific nutritional diet to remain healthy and grow to maturity. Goats are browsers, which mean that they eat tree bark, buds, shrubbery, weeds, plant stems, and other brush. Unlike cattle, who graze on lower vegetation, goats need more vitamins and minerals than grass can provide.

• Grains that are formulated for a goat’s diet will contain a variety of vitamins and minerals. There are several types of grains that goats will easily digest, including pellets, texturized, whole, and rolled grains.
• Hay, or dry forage, is a nice food for goats because it is high in protein. Alfalfa hay contains calcium, vitamins, and minerals. Alfalfa can come in hay or pellet form.
• Chaffhaye is a substitute for hay. It is a type of hay that is mixed with other ingredients, like molasses and grass, and contains more proteins, vitamins, and minerals than regular hay.
• Use discarded produce sparingly. Meat goats can eat cabbage, carrots, and artichokes, but the amount of these vegetables should be monitored. Beets and sweet potatoes are easier to digest and cause fewer problems.