Plan the sale: sell at the right age and season, show the goat honestly, get more than one offer, and take the money safely in person. You can sell at your farm, at the weekly santhai, to traders, or straight to buyers by posting a free ad on Kattutharai.
When to sell
- Demand and prices change with the season. A study of 30 livestock markets (shandies) in South India found that festival season, along with the goat's age, sex and purpose, shapes the price (market study, 2021).
- Bakrid is the biggest demand season for goats in many areas. It follows the moon calendar and comes about 11 days earlier every year, so check the date each year and plan months ahead.
- Other busy seasons depend on your area: Ramzan, Pongal, Deepavali, Christmas and New Year, and village festivals. Ask older farmers and traders when buyers come in your district.
- Try not to sell in a hurry. In a market study in Tirunelveli district, more than half of the sellers sold because they urgently needed cash (Tirunelveli study, 2012). A plan for when to sell gives you time to wait for a fair offer.
Selling age and weight
- Many farmers sell male kids young: in the Tirunelveli study, 50–60% of sellers sold male kids before 6 months of age (Tirunelveli study, 2012).
- Kids keep growing until about a year. In Tamil Nadu studies, kids at 6 months weighed about 14–15 kg, at 9 months about 17–19 kg, and at 12 months about 20–23 kg (Tellicherry study, Kodi Adu study). See the full table in kid growth.
- Keeping a kid longer costs feed and labour. Sell when the extra weight will bring more than the extra cost; the break-even check helps.
How buyers judge a goat
- Flesh: buyers feel the muscle along the back (loin) and on the thighs. In the Tirunelveli study, this was the main basis of the price in 71–82% of sales.
- Age, from the teeth: buyers look at the permanent front teeth in the lower jaw (TNAU):
| Permanent front teeth (lower jaw) | Approximate age |
|---|---|
| 1 pair (2 teeth) | 12–14 months |
| 2 pairs (4 teeth) | 24–26 months |
| 3 pairs (6 teeth) | 36–38 months |
| 4 pairs (8 teeth, full set) | 48–50 months |
- Sex and purpose: a young buck for breeding, a doe that has kidded, and a kid for festival demand are priced differently.
- Health: buyers check that the goat looks healthy and walks well. See what they look for in How to buy goats safely: health, age and fraud checks.
Where to sell
| Where | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| At your farm or in your village | No transport; time to bargain | Few buyers; you may not know the going rate |
| Weekly santhai (shandy) | Many buyers; you can compare offers on the day | Transport, stress on the goat, poor facilities in many markets |
| Traders | They come to you and pay quickly | Their price can be lower than at the market |
| Directly to buyers, through an ad | Buyers from nearby villages and towns contact you | Check the payment before the goat leaves |
In the Tirunelveli study, most farmers preferred to sell in their own village, where they could bargain. The South India study found the facilities in many shandies inadequate.
On Kattutharai, you can post a free ad with photos and a video. Buyers call or chat with you directly, and there is no commission.
Sell your goats on Kattutharai
Post a free ad with photos and a short video. Buyers near you call or chat with you directly. No commission.
Write a good ad
- Photos in daylight: the whole goat from the side, the front and the back, plus one of the teeth if age matters.
- A short video of the goat walking.
- Breed, sex and age in months (or the number of permanent teeth).
- Weight in kg, from a scale, not a guess.
- For a doe: how many times she has kidded, and whether she is pregnant.
- Vaccination and deworming dates.
- Your village and district.
- Price, and whether you will bargain.
- An honest description, including any fault.
Get a fair price
- Weigh the goat and check its teeth, so that you know exactly what you are selling.
- Ask 3–4 buyers or traders before you agree to a price.
- Compare with the santhai on market day, and with asking prices in ads. The box below shows asking prices in farmers' goat ads on Kattutharai.
- Sell a little before the festival, when buyers are looking, rather than on the last day.
On Kattutharai, 1 Nov 2026
Asking prices in farmers’ ads, not market prices.
Take payment safely
- Meet in person, at your farm or in a public place, in daylight. Let the buyer see the goat before paying, and see the money before the goat leaves.
- For UPI, check that the money has reached your own bank account, in your bank app or bank SMS. A screenshot is not proof.
- To receive money, you never need to scan a QR code or enter your PIN, and you should never share an OTP or PIN with anyone (RBI, 2022).
- Never pay a "buyer" anything: no advance, transport charge, registration fee or deposit.
- Count cash carefully, and take a family member along for large amounts.
Transport and papers
- Under the Transport of Animals Rules, 1978, goats moved by road or rail on a journey of more than six hours need a fitness certificate from a qualified veterinary surgeon, and the transporter must refuse them without it (Transport of Animals Rules).
- The same rules say to carry goats and sheep separately, keep males apart from females, give feed and water on the way, put straw on the floor, and not tie the goats' legs. Do not crowd the vehicle.
- Load in the cool hours of the morning or evening.
- Give the buyer a simple sale receipt, and keep a copy: date, both names and phone numbers, number of goats, sex, price, and ear-tag numbers if any. Hand over the vaccination record too.
- Before sending goats to another state, ask your veterinary hospital which papers are needed.
Common mistakes
- Selling in a hurry, at the first offer.
- Guessing the weight instead of weighing.
- Dark or blurred photos, and no video.
- Letting the goat go before the money is in your account.
- Paying a "buyer" any advance or fee.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to sell goats?
Before the festival seasons when buyers are looking, such as Bakrid in many areas. Plan breeding and feeding months ahead, and ask local traders when demand peaks in your district.
At what age should I sell male kids?
Many farmers sell before 6 months. Kids are heavier at 9–12 months, so compare the extra feed and labour with the extra weight before deciding.
How do buyers check a goat's age?
By the permanent front teeth in the lower jaw: about 1 pair at 12–14 months, 2 pairs at 24–26 months, 3 pairs at 36–38 months and a full set at 48–50 months.
How do I avoid being cheated when I sell?
Meet in person, check the money in your own bank account, never scan a QR code or enter a PIN to receive money, and never pay anything to a buyer. If you are cheated, call 1930 at once.
Do I need a certificate to transport goats?
For journeys of more than six hours, yes: a fitness certificate from a qualified veterinary surgeon. Ask your veterinary hospital before long journeys.
Next
When your goats are ready, post a free ad or see goats for sale near you to compare. To check whether your sales cover your costs, read Goat farming costs and income: a worked example.