How much does your goat weigh? For lots of purposes, including feeding, medicating, breeding and checking readiness for sale, knowing weight of your goats is essential. But how can you weigh all those goats without making it impractical? Here’s a simpler alternative: use a weight tape. Take two quick readings of their heart girth and average them together, then read off a chart for an estimated weight. It is fast, repeatable, and accurate when done right so there is no need to stress the goat by handling them more than necessary.
Measure the circumference of chest at its deepest point behind the front legs. Because most of your large muscle groups are in the chest as well as many of your internal organs, size of the chest correspond to overall weight. Estimated weights corresponds to this measurement. The weight shown on the chart is a starting place only. There will be some normal variation from animal to animal.
How to Weigh Goats with a Weight Tape
If you read thirty-five inches, that would put it around a seventy-five pound animal. If you measure out to forty-four inches, then we’re looking at an estimate near one hundred sixty-five pounds.
Not all goats is the same breed, and not all breeds carry weight the same way. That’s why there are adjustment factors on infographic. If you have heavy muscling in a Boer goat they will weigh more than estimated here. By as much as a dozen to eighteen percent. On the other end of things, a Nigerian Dwarf or Pygmy that is compact will need an adjustment down. They don’t fit the same frame-to-weight scale as bigger meat goat or dairy goats do. So make adjustments specific to your herd.
Using expensive equipment isn’t necessary; accurate measurements require consistency in how it’s done. Measure prior to feeding in morning when the goat’s rumen will be empty of food. Do your best to ensure tape is laying flat against the goat’s skin instead off any coarse fiber. Ensure the goat stand squarely on all four feet on level ground. Having someone hold the goat helps, particularly if they are young or flighty. Take two rapid measurements and average those for more accurate results. This is more effective then one random measurement where the goat moves around.
Over time, the true value of these numbers will be seen. Take a measurement each month and plot those measurements onto a growth curve. Identify abnormal losses which might indicate illness. Compare your goat to breed standard without having to wait until sale day.
A pregnant doe with a full belly is another note to take separately since her belly size cause an inflated girth reading. Also, coat length play into this. For wool-bearing goats like Cashmere and Angora, part the long fleece so you can measure against animal’s body.
The little things are typically the big no-nos. Getting it twisted or allowing the tape to sag will add false inches. Taping it too high in the first place gives you a low read. Measuring it on an incline throws off circumference because the barrel tilts. These are all simple fixes that wouldn’t of cost a fortune. Just pay close attention to next six times you do it.
The scale must be calibrated for legal dealings. Never use weight tape for this purpose.
You don’t want to guess on feeding anymore, either under or over. After a while, you get used to taking the measurement at consistent times. It’s just there in your brain as a background reminder. Keep simple records so you know what the heck is going on. The goat doesn’t move. The tape goes around his chest. And you know exactly where he fits without having to move him any further.