Check water and feeder access
Penn State says water should be fresh, clean and available at all times. Check the supply itself, not just whether a bucket is present. Feeders help keep feed off the ground and reduce waste. Watch whether every animal can reach its share.
Minerals are species-specific
The Extension guide calls for a good-quality mineral mix formulated for the species. Do not treat a mixed barn as one feeding group by default. Ask your veterinarian or livestock nutrition adviser how to arrange access and meet the needs of your forage and animals.
Use a management plan
Good perimeter fencing contains livestock and helps exclude predators. Pasture management and parasite control also need attention. Penn State recommends a veterinary relationship and treatment based on animal needs. This page is not a deworming schedule or a recommendation to treat the whole herd.
Your quick-reference checklist
- Verify fresh water is available.
- Check feeders and access.
- Confirm goat-appropriate minerals.
- Inspect gates and perimeter.
- Record changes in condition for your veterinarian.
A memory aid only. Adapt to your animals and your veterinarian's care plan.
Common questions
Can this page choose a dewormer?
No. Make parasite-management and treatment decisions with your veterinarian and local Extension support.
Sources for this guide
So you want to raise sheep or goats?Penn State Extension · Accessed October 19, 2026
The checklists and worksheets are original organizational tools, not clinical protocols. Sources inform the guidance; their publishers do not endorse this website or PawLine.