Best Goat Pen Location

[Daisy Mae]

Hello
My husband is thrilled that I keep changing my mind about the location of our new goat pen. Lol
Predators may be an issue, as we live in a rural area.
They will be locked up in a secure goat house at night.
But where should the pen be?
We’ve narrowed it down to 2 spots...
1. Very close to the front side of our house, parallel to the front fenced yard that our dogs use with their dog door to our mud room. Close to a road, sometimes loud trucks go by.
2. Further away (several hundred feet) on the other side of the house and front yard, but further from the road and a little more grass, little pine trees, and fun rocks.
Both areas have water, power somewhat available in a pinch, and storage nearby.

What do you think? I appreciate your feedback! Thank you

 

[chickens really]

Go with plan #2.. I would think that sounds like a good location..

 

[B&B Happy goats]

I would choose #2 also, sounds like a sweet spot to have them, and further from the road seems like a better option as far as theft and safety of them.
Good luck

 

[CntryBoy777]

Not knowing your location, it is hard to say....if ya have bad weather, the animals still have to be tended to....so, how far would ya like to travel in whatever your definition of "storm" is?....the closer they are to the house, the bigger the deterence for predators and quicker response to any happenings.....at least that is my thought process.... .....plus, it will give ya incentive to clean their area regularly....

 

[Daisy Mae]

Thank you!

 

[CraftyHen]

I agree with above about weather. While 2nd location sounds better my first thought was "what about when its below 0 and snowing" lol, because I deal with that all winter. Maybe you're in a better location.

 

[Ridgetop]

Will they have shelter in either pen? Goats don't like rain! LOL Will you bee leading them to the shelter at night or will it be accessible from the pen? Also if you are going to be breeding them, you will want the shelter to be large enough so you can be inside it while feeding and tending to them in winter.

 

[Daisy Mae]

H

Will they have shelter in either pen? Goats don't like rain! LOL Will you bee leading them to the shelter at night or will it be accessible from the pen? Also if you are going to be breeding them, you will want the shelter to be large enough so you can be inside it while feeding and tending to them in winter.

Hello,
Yes, they will have shelter in the pen. And completely locked up at night because we have possible predators.
We picked the spot that is further from the road. It’s coming along and we will hopefully pick them up this weekend. Now I’m just feeling so scared about making sure that they are healthy. I’ve read so much about goats and it’s scary how they can get sick and pass suddenly. I’m hoping for the best, but nervous.

 

[Ridgetop]

Actually goats are very healthy animals and easy to keep. The main thing to remember is they are actually picky eaters. Because they are browsers instead of grazers, they will not eat food on the floor of the pen unless they are starving. To avoid wasted hay, make raised keyhole feeders. Lots of instructions on line for that, and very easy to make. They also have fewer problems with parasites because they don't like to eat off the ground. Feed good quality hay and feed. In southern California we feed alfalfa which is very high in protein so don't need to grain unless they are milking. Depending on the protein level of your hay, and the type of goat you have, you might need to give a little goat ration as well.

The only other things you need to do are annual CDT vaccinations, and monthly hoof trimming, especially during wet winters when they may spend a lot of their time in the barn.. Hoof trimming is easier if you have a stanchion. But there are now stanchion heads that attach to fence posts so you may opt to use one of those. If you are planning to milk, a raised stanchion where you can sit on a stool to milk is necessary. Your milk goat will be easier to hoof trim on the stanchion too.

Have fun! Goats are cool.

 

[Daisy Mae]

Actually goats are very healthy animals and easy to keep. The main thing to remember is they are actually picky eaters. Because they are browsers instead of grazers, they will not eat food on the floor of the pen unless they are starving. To avoid wasted hay, make raised keyhole feeders. Lots of instructions on line for that, and very easy to make. They also have fewer problems with parasites because they don't like to eat off the ground. Feed good quality hay and feed. In southern California we feed alfalfa which is very high in protein so don't need to grain unless they are milking. Depending on the protein level of your hay, and the type of goat you have, you might need to give a little goat ration as well.

The only other things you need to do are annual CDT vaccinations, and monthly hoof trimming, especially during wet winters when they may spend a lot of their time in the barn.. Hoof trimming is easier if you have a stanchion. But there are now stanchion heads that attach to fence posts so you may opt to use one of those. If you are planning to milk, a raised stanchion where you can sit on a stool to milk is necessary. Your milk goat will be easier to hoof trim on the stanchion too.

Have fun! Goats are cool.

Thank you! I really appreciate the info! Your post made me happy! Thanks again!