Is it possible to keep a goat in an apartment, suitable breeds and pros and cons
Keeping goats in an apartment has certain characteristics. This is generally not recommended. However, if such a need is still present, it is better to choose special breeds. They are distinguished by their small size and unpretentiousness to the conditions of detention. At the same time, it is still important to adhere to certain conditions and organize a balanced diet for the animals.
Can I keep a goat in my apartment?
Keeping goats at home is not recommended. However, there are some breeds that can be bred at home. These include dwarf goats. They are distinguished by a high degree of intelligence and are easy to train. A kid, in principle, can be toilet trained, but unpleasant surprises are inevitable.
It should be borne in mind that by nature goats like to climb hills. Therefore, a cabinet or refrigerator will not become a hindrance for them. Also, animals will be able to chew anything that gets in the way. These can be curtains or tablecloths.
These animals are considered gregarious, because they easily get along with the rest of the inhabitants of the house. In order for the breeding of dwarf goats to be successful, it is worth taking several individuals. In this case, they will not be bored. In addition, the number of cubs will increase.
Dwarf goats have healthy meat and milk. They are odorless. In comfortable conditions, they can live for more than 19 years. The number of lambing animals significantly exceeds other breeds. Therefore, at minimal cost, it will be possible to obtain a large increase. Many experts advise breeding Cameroonian dwarf goats at home - they look very attractive and delight gourmets.
Suitable breeds
Dwarf breeds - Cameroon and Nigerian - are most suitable for growing at home. The main difference is the physique. Cameroonians are more muscular and dense. At the same time, the Nigerian ones are distinguished by their elegance and have light bones.
Cameroon goats are characterized by a stocky build. Their sturdy body is tightly knit and seems compact. By weight, adult animals reach 14-25 kilograms. Moreover, their height is 40-50 centimeters. The body is approximately 70 centimeters long.
The wool has an attractive color. Usually goats are black, brown, white. They can also be combined with each other.
Nigerian goats are slightly taller, slender legs, slender head, elongated body. The height at the withers reaches 60-70 cm, and the weight does not exceed 30 kg. The coat can have a variety of shades. Goats are black, white, brown. Spotted shades are also possible. Dwarf goats have very beautiful cubs. The kids look very cute. It's hard to resist them.
Advantages and disadvantages
Dwarf breeds have many benefits. These include the following:
- unpretentiousness in food;
- good health;
- high parameters of productivity;
- small size;
- resistance to severe frost or heat;
- unpretentiousness to conditions of detention.
Also, animals are considered friendly. They have a calm disposition and are easy to train. Cameroon goats can hardly stand loneliness. Therefore, several animals are worth buying. Of the minuses, it is recommended to note the tendency to aggressive behavior in stressful situations or in fear. Also, goats have difficulty adapting to high humidity or dampness.
Requirements for maintenance and care
Keeping small goats does not require a lot of money and time. In this case, the following rules should be taken into account:
- 1 animal must have more than 1 square meter;
- it is important to ensure the temperature is + 17-20 degrees;
- high humidity should be avoided;
- the habitat should be brought closer to the natural one - by nature, goats are considered jumpy and curious;
- short daylight hours require additional lighting;
- it is important to use straw bedding;
- it is worth drinking and feeding pets exclusively from clean dishes;
- It is recommended to water goats 2 times a day - while in summer it is worth using cool water, and in winter it is better to give warm water.
Goats have a simple diet. In addition to straw and hay, it is allowed to feed them with oats, barley, corn kernels. It is strictly forbidden to use food from the human table. Bread is considered a forbidden food. At the same time, it is permissible for animals to be given fruits and vegetables.
Diet
Branches, cabbage, fresh grass are suitable for feeding animals. It is also permissible to use grains, carrots, beets, apples. Dwarf goats love boiled potatoes and animal feed. It is also allowed to use fresh Jerusalem artichoke, corn, chopped oats. There should be some whole grains on the daily menu.
A prerequisite for raising goats is the availability of a sufficient amount of clean drinking water. It should be warm in winter. In summer, dwarf goats are recommended to be released into the meadow. It is recommended to prepare a lot of hay for the winter. It is important that it is of high quality.
Dwarf breeds are prone to overeating. This negatively affects their health. Animals become passive and lethargic, their lifespan is reduced, the immune system is weakened. In this case, the females lose the ability to bear healthy offspring. You shouldn't include a lot of protein in your diet, as this leads to serious allergies.
Keeping goats in an apartment is considered a controversial issue. Farmers usually advise against this. However, some dwarf breeds can still be bred with proper care and a balanced diet.
