Are you interested in owning Golden Guernsey goats in the UK?
These are pedigree goats and listed as a rare breed with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust. You need to make sure that you are buying a genuine registered Golden Guernsey goat (see below), 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!
- Join the Golden Guernsey Goat Society
- Read your Journal
- Meet other members and their goats
- Learn about keeping and breeding Golden Guernseys before you buy
Buy your goat from a reputable breeder
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 Members’ Group for help) 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 must have a certificate of registration showing its registration number starting with “GG”. All Golden Guernseys must be registered with the British Goat Society to be called Golden Guernseys.
Check the goat is CAE negative
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, for humans, especially children, and other non-horned goats. A kid should be disbudded in the first few days of life. By law, this operation can only be undertaken by a veterinary surgeon.
There is also the possibility that leaving horns on might make it harder to sell any progeny.
