1: Basic Information about Goats
Terms to Know
Goat Myths and Truths
A Little History
Breeds of Goats
Selecting a Breed
So You Want a Goat?
2: Milk
How Much Milk?
Discovering a New Taste
Goat Milk as "Medicine"
Exploding More Goat Milk Myths
Goat Milk vs. Cow Milk
Raw Milk vs. Pasteurized
3: Getting Your Goat
Beginning Your Search
Terms to Learn
Which Goat Is Best for You?
Spotting a "Good" Goat
Assessing a Goat's Worth
Getting Your Goat Home
4: Housing
Ideal Housing
Size Requirements
The Manger
Gates, Latches, and Fences
Other Considerations
Final Thoughts
5: Fencing
How Much Is Necessary
What Kind of Fence?
6: Feeding
The Long and the Short of It
The Digestive System
Basic Nutritional Requirements
Formulating a Goat Ration
The Science and Art of Feeding
7: Grooming
Hoof Care
Disbudding
Dehorning
Tattooing
Hair Care
8: Health
The Natural State
Finding and Using a Veterinarian
How to Tell If Your Goat Is Sick
An A-to-Z Guide to Common Health Problems
Don't Expect to Be a Goat Doctor
9: The Buck
Whether or Not to Keep a Buck
Improving the Breed
Choosing a Buck
Living with a Buck
Caring for the Buck
10: Breeding
Milking Through
Preparing for Breeding
Successful Breeding
11: Kidding
Anticipating the Delivery
The Birth
Caring for the Newborns
12: Raising Kids
Early Feeding
Weaning
Castration
13: Milking
Milking Essentials
Facilities: A Milking Parlor or In-Barn Milking
Preparing to Milk
Milking Procedure
Milk Handling
Cleaning Your Equipment
14: Keeping Records
The Basic Barn Record
Figuring Out Costs
Capital Costs and Operating Expenses
15: Chevon
The Market for Chevon
Slaughtering and Butchering
16: Dairy Products
Preserving Milk for Future Needs
Cheesemaking
Yogurt
Kefir
Koumiss
Butter
Cultured Buttermilk
17: Recipes for Dairy Products
Cooking Chevon
Soapmaking with Goat Milk
What's Next?
Appendixes
Resources
Glossary
Metric Conversion Charts
Index