| Are you interested in owning Golden Guernsey goats in the UK? | |
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These are pedigree goats and listed as a rare breed with the Rare Breed Survival Trust. You need to make sure that you are buying a genuine registered Golden Guernsey goat, not just something that looks golden. As goats are herd animals, you should always keep at least two. |
| Use the following checklist to ensure that you get off to a good start! | |
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| Buy your goat from a reputable breeder | |
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If possible, visit several goatkeepers as there are variations within the breed. When you join the Society, you will get a list of members (and access to the e-mail helpline) to enable you to check who is in or near your area. |
| Check that the goat is registered with the British Goat Society | |
| The goat will have a certificate of registration showing its number, and an identification mark. All Golden Guernseys must be registered with the British Goat Society. |
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| Check the goat is CAE negative | |
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It is preferable to have a certificate of the whole herd tested clear. A kid will have immunity for a year from its dam, so check the dam is included in the certificate. CAE is an incurable virus and reputable goatkeepers will normally have their whole herd tested and be pleased to let you have a copy of the certificate. See the BGS website for more information on CAE virus. |
| Check that the goat has been dehorned (disbudded) | |
| It can be dangerous to keep horned goats, and it is illegal to keep horned and hornless goats together in a confined space. A goat should be disbudded as a kid. By law, this operation can only be undertaken by a veterinary surgeon. |
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Page last updated 06-Jul-2008 |
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