Housing for Goats

Goats do not require an elaborate and expensive housing. Their needs are easily met by a simple shelter that is dry, well ventilated, draft-free and easy to clean. Goats are most comfortable at temperatures between 50 degrees and 70 degrees. They do fine down to 0, but at 80 degrees and above they begin to suffer. In southern and western areas, housing is especially needed to keep goats cool in the summer, while in the North, a shelter must keep them warm in winters. No matter what area you live in , they need shelter. Goats hate rain. My goats want to go inside when a drop of rain comes down.

The simplest and healthiest shelter is a 3 sided one, facing south. I strongly suggest putting sliding doors on the open side to keep out predators and shut out bad weather. Should also have windows to let in sunlight and good ventilation to prevent moisture build up. The herd will produce its own heat, so auxiliary heat it not necessary and unhealthy. It can also be dangerous. Provide doors that make it possible for the goats to wander in and out to adjoining yard.

For whatever type of shelter you design, the floors may be packed with dirt, sand, or concrete. We add a layer of straw on the floor. In the winter we put down a thicker layer of straw for warmth.

Slatted wood platforms may be added to keep goats off damp, dirty bedding.. Design the roof to keep climbers off, and add eave gutters to channel away rain water.

The shelter can have an open central area or a series of stalls, to avoid over feeding and quarreling for better milk production. In any case, you will need some stalls for kidding does, newborn kids, injured animals, and timid ones, which have trouble competing with bullies.

You will need to have a trough for feed. We have an individual feeder for each goat, but you can have a large trough or feeder if you prefer. Might be best if you have a larger herd. It is important to have plenty water of clean water available at all times. We us the 5 gallon buckets, but if you have a larger herd, you can buy a bigger container that holds more water.You can buy them in a hard rubber or a galvanized. You will need to have a place to put he hay, such as a hay manger. You can buy them at a farm store or make one yourself. Just serve the Internet for how to make one. It doesn't have to be fancy. An important thing is not to put there food, water or hay feeders too close to the floor because they will put their hooves up on anything that they can get a foothold, damaging flimsy equipment as well as dropping manure and bits of dirty bedding into the feed and water. We learned that the hard way!

I am just giving the basics, you can put as much as you like into housing your goats. Their are alot of products you can purchase, such as automatic watering devices, but those type of products can be bought as your goat business grows.