Weighing and Medicating Goats

in Animals on the Farm

Never Guess Your Goat's Weight

Medicating a goat isn't a carnival trick. If you think you can guess how much a goat weighs just by comparing them in size to a member of your family - think again!

Goat Health and Medications

I can't stress enough the importance of determining accurate weight before medicating an animal - your goat's health depends on it. Please don't guess. Too much medication could cause an overdose, too little medication and the medicated treatment won't work.

To further complicate the matter, consistently giving an under-dose will literally train organisms, such as bacteria and worms, to become resistant to the drug you are using. Later on, that drug (even when dosage is corrected), will not be effective.

Ever see such a Goat-y Grin?

I can't decide whether this goat is
smiling, sneering or snarling at me.

This goat's got something on his mind and I'm about to hear it...

Actually, goats don't snarl...

Lately I've had requests for a medication outline - a schedule to follow for each animal.

Included as a bonus with the purchase of Goats: Milk, Meat and Mohair, is a generic Prescription Chart that can be printed from Microsoft Word so that accurate records may be kept for each goat you own.

If you've received one you'll see that it is simply a formatted page, with space for your goat's name, weight, dates, overall health, etc. It does not include an outline of which medications to give at which age or weight - that is strictly up to your veterinarian.

The right drug is equally important as the right dosage for each goat (based on weight).

If your animal is sick and you must medicate, check with your veterinarian first. Tests and consultations are expensive, but will lead to the correct treatment - speeding recovery time exponentially.

Medication dosages are based on a goat's weight. Dairy and Pygmy Goats Vary - See both charts below.

Determining the weight of a goat can be done in one of two ways:

1. Pick up the goat and step on a scale. Next, weigh yourself alone and subtract from the first combined weight - the difference is the goat's weight.
or 2. Use one of the weight charts below for Dairy or Pygmy goats based on heart girth measurement (the same method used for weighing pigs and cows). Use a flexible sewing-type tape measure marked in one-inch increments, wrap it around heart girth area of the goat (just behind the front legs). The tape should be snug while the goat stands naturally.

If you weigh and measure at the same time, you may find that the charts are off by a pound or two - which isn't bad considering the 'guessing game' could put you off by many more!

Weight Chart Large Breed Dairy Goats
If heart girth is under 18 inches it is advised to use the scale method to determine accurate weight.
INCHES	POUNDS
18.25	23
19.25	27
20.25	31
21.25	35
22.25	39
23.25	43
24.25	51
25.25	57
26.25	63
27.25	69
28.25	75
29.25	81
30.25	87
31.25	93
32.25	101
33.25	110
34.25	120
35.25	130
36.25	140
37.25	150
38.25	160
39.25	179
40.25	180
41.25	190
42.25	200
43.25	210
44.25	220
45.25	230
46.25	240
47.25	250
48.25	260
49.25	270
50.25	280
51.25	290
52.25	300
53.25	310
54.25	320
For every 1/2 inch more...	...add 5 pounds

If you have any questions or require any help, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Note: These charts or my advice are not to be used as a replacement to veterinary care. This is simply provided as a guideline to assist you. I accept no responsibility for the care of your animals in your barn.

Weight Chart Pygmy Goats
If hearth girth is under 22 inches, it is advised to use the scale method to determine accurate weight.
Bucks		Does
Inches	Pounds	Inches	Pounds
22	32	22	28.3
23	34	23	32.3
24.2	42	23.5	38
25.5	46	26	43
26.5	50	27.5	49
27.5	57	28	55
28	60	28.5	58
28.7	63	29	62
30	71	30	68
31	76	31	72
32	80	32	77
		33	80

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Raising Goats

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Wondering how much room a goat needs, what to feed one and if you have the time required to look after a few?

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