7 Goat Farming Journal Essentials That Prevent Common Issues

You think you’ll remember which doe had trouble kidding last spring, or when you last dewormed the herd. But you won’t. A simple, well-kept journal is the single most powerful tool for shifting from reacting to problems to actively preventing them. It’s the difference between a struggling herd and a thriving one.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Establishing Your Farm’s Foundational Record

Think of this section as your farm’s operating manual. It’s the static information that doesn’t change often but is absolutely critical when you need it. This isn’t about daily chores; it’s the bedrock on which all your other records are built.

Start with the basics. Include a simple map of your property, marking pasture names or numbers, fence lines, and the location of gates and water sources. List your key contacts: your primary veterinarian, a backup vet, your hay supplier, and any neighbors you rely on for help. Also, jot down infrastructure details, like the type of fencing used in each pasture or the model number for your water trough de-icer.

Why bother? Because when you’re trying to explain to a farm-sitter which gate to use, or when your fence charger dies and you need to find a replacement part, this record saves you immense time and stress. It provides continuity and turns scattered knowledge into an organized, transferable asset for anyone helping on the farm.

Individual Goat Profiles for Herd Management

Your herd is made of individuals, and you need to manage them that way. An individual profile for each goat is the foundation of effective herd management. It’s their permanent record, following them from birth or purchase until they leave your farm.

Each profile should contain the goat’s core identity. This is non-negotiable.

• Name and/or Tag Number: A unique identifier.
• Date of Birth: Essential for tracking age and development.
• Breed and Parentage: Note the sire (father) and dam (mother).
• Source: Was she born on your farm or purchased? If purchased, from whom?
• Distinguishing Features: Scars, horn shape, or unique color patterns that help with quick identification.

This information isn’t just for fun. When you’re deciding which doelings to keep, reviewing their dam’s history is crucial. When a vet asks for an animal’s background during a health crisis, you have precise answers, not guesses. This record transforms your herd from an anonymous group into a collection of known quantities.

Health Logs to Predict and Prevent Illness

This is the most active and vital part of your journal. A sick goat can go downhill fast, and your health log is your best early warning system. It helps you spot subtle patterns that signal trouble long before it becomes an emergency.

Be meticulous here. Log every health-related event for each goat, tied to their individual profile. Record the date of every vaccination, deworming treatment (including the specific product and dosage), and FAMACHA score. If an animal gets sick, document the symptoms, the treatment you provided, and the outcome. Don’t forget to log routine mineral supplements, like copper boluses.

This practice moves you from defense to offense. You’ll see that a certain pasture consistently causes parasite issues, prompting a change in your rotation. You’ll notice that a specific doe always struggles with low energy post-kidding, allowing you to provide proactive nutritional support the next time. A detailed health log doesn’t just record sickness; it actively works to prevent it.

It’s just as important to log what seems normal. A brief note like "Cloudy – off her feed this morning, but fine by evening" might seem trivial. But when she does it again a month later, you have a pattern. This is the kind of subtle clue that helps you catch chronic issues before they become full-blown crises.

Breeding & Kidding Calendar for Due Date Prep

Kidding season can be a period of incredible joy or incredible stress, and the difference is often preparation. A breeding and kidding calendar is your roadmap, taking the guesswork out of the most critical time of year. It ensures you’re ready for every new arrival.

The process is simple but non-negotiable. When you put a buck in with the does, mark the "date of exposure" on your calendar. If you witness a successful breeding, note that specific date. From the breeding date, calculate the estimated due date by adding 145-150 days and mark it clearly.

This simple act of record-keeping has a massive impact. You’ll know exactly when to move an expectant doe to a clean, safe kidding stall, preventing a surprise birth in a muddy pasture during a storm. You’ll know when to start checking her udder development and ligaments. It also allows you to plan your own schedule, ensuring you’re on hand during the crucial delivery window.

Tracking Feed Rations and Mineral Intake

Feed is your single greatest expense and the primary driver of your herd’s health and productivity. Managing it based on memory is a recipe for waste and poor performance. You simply cannot fine-tune your program if you aren’t tracking what goes into your animals.

Your log should be straightforward. Note the type of hay you’re feeding (e.g., "2nd cut orchard/alfalfa mix") and when you start a new batch. Record the type and amount of any supplemental grain or pellets each goat receives, especially for lactating does or growing kids. Critically, track the type of loose minerals you offer and note how quickly the herd consumes them.

This data pays for itself. You might notice that after switching to a cheaper hay, milk production drops or body conditions worsen, proving the "deal" wasn’t worth it. If your goats are ignoring their mineral feeder, it might be the wrong type for your region’s deficiencies or it may have gotten wet. This log connects your feed bill directly to herd performance, empowering you to make smart financial and nutritional decisions.

Hoof Trimming and Body Condition Score Log

Two of the best hands-on indicators of an animal’s overall health are its feet and its fat cover. These regular checks give you a physical progress report that you can’t get from just watching the herd graze. Logging this information reveals slow-moving trends that are easy to miss day-to-day.

For each goat, simply log the date you trim their hooves. Over time, you’ll establish a baseline for how often they need it. If you suddenly find yourself trimming more frequently, it could point to a lack of abrasive surfaces or even a subtle nutritional imbalance affecting hoof growth.

Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is even more insightful. On a scale of 1 to 5, you physically feel for fat cover over the spine and ribs. Log the BCS for each animal at key production stages: before breeding, a month before kidding, and mid-lactation. A doe that consistently drops to a low BCS while feeding her kids might need more calories next time or may not be genetically suited for your program. This log is your objective measure of whether your feed program is truly meeting your herd’s needs.

Pasture Rotation and Forage Quality Notes

Your pastures are not just a place to hold your goats; they are a living part of your farm’s ecosystem. Managing them effectively reduces your feed costs, minimizes parasite load, and improves the health of your land. A pasture log is the key to intentional grazing.

Create a simple map of your paddocks. For each one, log the "graze period"—the date the goats went in and the date they came out. The "rest period" is just as important; this is the time the pasture is empty, allowing forage to regrow and parasite larvae to die off. Add qualitative notes, too: "Forage is lush and thick," or "Lots of weeds in the north corner," or "Ground is very wet."

This record is fundamental to sustainable parasite management. By ensuring a long enough rest period (often 30-60 days, depending on the season), you break the worm life cycle naturally, reducing your reliance on chemical dewormers. It also helps you identify which pastures are most productive and which may need to be reseeded or improved, turning your land into a more valuable asset.

Analyzing Production Data for Profitability

Even if you’re a hobbyist, you need to know which animals are contributing and which are just costing you money. Production data, when paired with your other records, allows you to make clear-headed decisions about the future of your herd. It’s how you build a better, more efficient herd over time.

What you track depends on your goals. For dairy goats, this means logging daily milk weights and lactation length. For meat goats, it’s about tracking birth weights, 90-day weaning weights, and overall rate of gain. For fiber animals, you’d record the annual fleece weight and notes on its quality.

This is where all your record-keeping comes together. You can look at two does and see that while one gives more milk, the other maintains better body condition on less feed and has fewer health issues—making her the more profitable animal. You can compare the kids from two different bucks and see which sire consistently produces faster-growing offspring. This data allows you to cull sentimentality from your management decisions and focus on building a herd that is productive, resilient, and truly sustainable for your small farm.

Your journal is more than a chore; it’s a conversation with your farm. It tells you what’s working, what isn’t, and where you need to focus your limited time and energy. Ultimately, good records empower you to be a better, more responsive partner to your animals and your land.