Miniature goats & sheep

Bloat (gas distension)

SignsLeft flank swollen like a drum, drooling, unable to stand, labored breathing. Sudden decline within hours of eating

PreventionAvoid wet fresh grass, green legumes and large amounts of grain. Feed mainly hay, in small portions

Urinary calculi

SignsCommon in castrated males. Repeated urination posture with no urine, crying out, kicking at the belly, crystals at the urethral opening

PreventionLimit grain and concentrates, feed mainly hay. Always fresh water. Avoid castrating too early

Foot rot

SignsLimping, red swollen foul-smelling skin between the claws, eating while kneeling

PreventionAvoid mud and keep flooring dry. Trim hooves every 2-3 months. Check between the claws weekly in the rainy season

Internal parasites

SignsPale inner lower eyelid (anemia), swelling under the jaw, diarrhea, weight loss, dull coat

PreventionRegular fecal tests and deworming. Remove manure from pasture. Avoid overcrowding

Enterotoxemia

SignsSudden lethargy, seizures, diarrhea, death within hours. After grain overload

PreventionNever increase grain suddenly. Lock the feed store. Ask the vet about vaccination

Heatstroke in sheep

SignsOpen-mouth rapid breathing, drooling, staggering, lying down. Common from the rainy season to summer before shearing

PreventionShear by early summer. Provide shade and ventilation. Do not move or herd during the day

Broken horn, bleeding

PreventionBuild fences so horns cannot catch in gaps or mesh. Separate animals if horn fighting is intense

First aidPress clean gauze on the base to stop bleeding. Do not remove the broken horn. If bleeding does not stop, see the vet the same day

Leg fracture or dislocation

PreventionEliminate fence gaps and holes in flooring. Do not build structures to jump down from

First aidDo not move; confine in a small pen. Do not splint on your own; if the animal thrashes in pain, do not force it and call the vet

Entanglement in fence or netting

PreventionDo not use net fencing for horned goats. Remove collars at pasture as they catch easily

First aidCalmly cut the netting away from the tangled part. A leg hung for a long time swells: cool it, and see the vet if the animal cannot walk

Dog bite

PreventionPerimeter fence that dogs cannot enter. House in the barn at night. Keep away from dogs being walked

First aidRinse wounds under running water and apply pressure. Wool hides wounds, so feel the whole body. Bites always need a same-day vet visit

Q fever

RoutePlacenta and amniotic fluid at birth, inhaling dust from dried feces and urine

PreventionGloves and mask when handling births or abortions. Pregnant women must not assist births. Seal and dispose of the placenta

Contagious ecthyma (orf)

RouteContact with scabs around the mouth (orf)

PreventionWash hands after touching an animal with lip scabs. Wear gloves if you have cuts on your hands

Cryptosporidium

RouteOral ingestion of diarrheic feces from kids and lambs

PreventionWash hands with soap after handling a kid with diarrhea. Keep young children and the elderly away from diarrheic feces

Ringworm (dermatophytosis)

RouteContact with hairless patches, shared brushes

PreventionHandle animals with circular hair loss with gloves and do not share tools. See a doctor if a ring appears on human skin

Food

• Hay (timothy etc.) available at all times, free choice
• Grain and pellets only in small amounts when needed; never increase suddenly
• Mineral salt block available to lick freely

Water

• Always clean water in several containers. In summer each animal drinks 10 L or more
• In winter change morning and evening so it does not freeze. Dirty water causes stones

Toys & play

• Platforms, logs and cable drums to climb on
• Hanging hay net (slows down eating)
• Brushes or tree trunks as posts to rub against

Nest, bed & hideout

• A barn enclosed on three sides against wind and rain. At least 3.3 m2 (two tatami) per animal
• Floor raised above the ground with a thick layer of dry bedding

Bedding & litter

• Straw or sawdust bedding. Replace daily when wet
• Remove manure daily; keep the compost heap well away to prevent parasites
• A dry gravel or concrete area in front of the barn for hoof health

Cage / housing material

Wooden or metal fence at least 1.2 m high. Avoid mesh, as horns get caught

Size & space

At least 100 m2 of pasture for two; barn at least 3.3 m2 (two tatami) per animal

Layout

• Place barn, shade, water and salt block apart to encourage movement
• Feed store outside the fence and locked (prevents raiding)
• Completely remove toxic plants (azaleas etc.) inside and outside the fence

Placement notes

• Bleating and odor cause complaints; explain to neighbors in advance
• Leave no gap under the fence. Keep climbing spots away from the fence

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• Let them walk and graze freely in the pasture for several hours a day
• Walk on a harness, not a collar; watch for azalea hedges
• Do not drive sheep; move the whole herd slowly together

Temperature & humidity

Temperature10-25°C is comfortable. Sheep risk heatstroke above 25°C

HumidityPrefer a dry environment. High humidity causes foot rot and parasites

Summer & winter

• Summer: shear, provide shade and airflow, cool water in several places
• Winter: wind-proof barn and thick dry bedding. Prevent water from freezing

Nail trimming

Trim hooves every 2-3 months. Trim the overgrown wall with hoof shears; if it bleeds, apply pressure and rest on dry ground

Brushing, skin & coat care

Brush goats once a week. Shear sheep once a year in spring to early summer; hire a professional until you are experienced

Other care

Check horn bases, ears and between the claws weekly. Males spray urine in the breeding season and smell strongly

Protection from predators

• House in the barn at night against stray dogs, wild boar and bears
• Crows target newborns and weakened animals
• Control mosquitoes, horseflies and ticks with barn insect-proofing and regular body checks

Foreign-body ingestion

Keep plastic, string, paint, fertilizer and tobacco out of the enclosure. If eaten, note the amount and time and call the vet. Do not induce vomiting

Being stepped on

Kids and lambs get trampled by parents and other animals. Separate pen after birth. Keep animals out of vehicle and tractor gateways

Getting pinched

Heads and horns get stuck in fence gaps and gates. If the head will not come out, rotate the horns to free it; never pull the neck. Secure gates when opening and closing

Falls

Goats jump from heights and injure their legs. Do not build platforms over 1 m. If limping or unable to stand after a fall, see the vet the same day

Escape

Escapes risk traffic accidents and toxic plants. Inspect fences daily. If one escapes, do not chase; lure with feed and notify the police and neighbors. Put contact details on the collar

Safe release procedure

1. Goat bites are rare. Step sideways from a head-butt and break eye contact
2. If clothing or hair is bitten, do not pull; slip a finger in at the side of the mouth
3. Step outside the fence and keep your distance until the animal calms down
4. Males head-butt repeatedly. Discuss castration and herd changes with the vet

After the release

If knocked down by a head-butt, check yourself for bruises and fractures. Rinse wounds under running water; seek medical care if swelling or pain increases

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Breed, age, whether castrated, what was eaten and when, stool and urine condition, photos. Find a vet who treats large animals in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Check response to voice and ear stimulation, and the blink reflex
• Count breaths by flank movement. Normal is 12-30 per minute
• Feel the heartbeat on the left chest behind the elbow. Normal is 70-90 per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press firmly with a clean cloth for at least 5 minutes
• For hoof or horn bleeding, press the base and rest on dry ground
• Do not raise the leg above the heart; never use a tourniquet

Transport

• Spread bedding in a truck or van; if the animal cannot stand, let it lie on its chest
• Keep warm and ventilated in transit. For bloat, transport on the chest, never on the side