The single most important nutrient for support of plant or animal life is water. Water, along with its availability, accessibility, and quality is a number one priority yet less consideration is given to it compared to many other aspects of a goat operation.

Source and quality

If a natural water source is available, be it a pond, spring, or stream, goats will utilize it as their first choice, as long as the water is not stagnant. Goats should have easy access to these natural watering holes. A firm bank leading to the water will encourage greater use of the resource than a soft bank. A load of crushed rock or gravel to make an all-weather trail is one way to provide a firm, all-weather access trail. Preventing the loss of one goat from inadequate water intake or from becoming mired in mud while trying to get a drink will help pay for the materials used.

When the naturally occurring water source is a spring, developing the spring and piping the water to a trough or pond is recommended. Allowing livestock to trample the immediate area surrounding the spring will lead to creation of a mud hole at the minimum, and can damage the spring outlet lessening or ceasing its flow. The best course of action is to fence off the area around the spring and invest in some PVC pipe to transport the water, even if only a short distance away, into a suitable watering container.

When natural sources of water are not available, water must be provided through a well or county water source. In these situations, some form of watering system is required. The two most popular forms of water containers for goat operations are troughs or buckets. Both require more constant monitoring than do natural watering sources. Buckets are fine for small operations but for larger herds and for those in more remote locations, a trough is preferred. Where a constant inflow of water is maintained through a pipeline or hose, a float controlled, flow-regulating valve to maintain the correct water level in the trough can be used. If the troughs are in a location where they can be easily monitored daily, the expense of a float valve system can be avoided and the troughs filled as needed with a water hose.

Do not let automatic watering devices prevent regular checks of water cleanliness. Whether buckets or troughs are used for watering, regular cleaning to ensure constant availability of fresh, clear water will encourage sufficient intake. If the water is not clean enough for human consumption, the troughs need to be cleaned.

Water requirements

A goat requires one to three gallons of water per day depending on diet, intake, and environmental conditions. Water depth in troughs should not exceed 12 to 14” to allow access by kids and to prevent kids from falling in and drowning. Kids can easily climb out of shallow troughs. Existing water troughs designed for cattle or horses that may be two feet in height can be adapted for use by goats through a ramp or step placed beside the trough allowing younger, smaller animals to drink. Cinder blocks or rocks can be put in these troughs to reduce water depth and prevent accidental drowning.

Water consumption rate will remain fairly constant throughout the year regardless of the temperature; therefore, keep the supply constant. If bucket, or trough heaters of some type are not used in the colder climates, daily checks to remove surface ice and allow the animal access to water will be necessary.

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