Routine Operations

A goat farm runs on routine. The same tasks, done consistently at the same times each day, keep animals healthy, catch problems early and make labour predictable. This guide sets out the daily, weekly, monthly and periodic operations that keep a well-managed goat farm on track.

Daily operations

• Feed at fixed times — usually two to three times a day — with measured green fodder, roughage and concentrate.
• Provide clean, fresh drinking water and rinse water troughs.
• Milk lactating does at regular times (typically twice daily) and record yields.
• Observe every animal while feeding — appetite, dung, gait and alertness are the first signs of trouble.
• Separate and watch any animal that looks off-colour; note it for a vet check.
• Remove leftover feed and spot-clean the shed and passages.

Weekly operations

• Clean and re-bed pens; remove damp bedding and manure to keep floors dry.
• Check body condition and note any animals losing weight.
• Inspect fencing, gates, troughs and the roof for damage.
• Review feed stock and plan the coming week’s fodder and concentrate.

Monthly operations

• Weigh animals (or measure girth) to track growth and adjust rations.
• Inspect hooves and trim where needed to prevent lameness.
• Update records — births, weights, matings, health events, sales and costs.
• Check the store for medicines, minerals and supplies nearing expiry or running low.

Periodic & seasonal operations

• Deworming: on your veterinarian’s advice, ideally guided by dung tests rather than a fixed calendar.
• Vaccination: follow the schedule for PPR, ET, FMD, Goat Pox and HS as advised locally — see our Goat Health section.
• Hoof trimming: every 1–3 months depending on floor and wear.
• Breeding & kidding prep: flush does before mating, and prepare kidding pens ahead of time.
• Disinfection: clean and disinfect sheds between batches and after any disease event.

Record keeping

Records turn daily observation into better decisions. Even a simple notebook or phone sheet tracking births, weights, matings, milk yield, health events and costs will show you which animals earn their keep, when to cull, and whether the farm is actually profitable. Consistent records are also essential for any loan or subsidy application.