Do is need a shed/house for my la manchas?

[bheila]

We have a ton of coyotes here. I'm actually listening to them howling and yappin' right now. There was a pup who ran through the backyard 3 days ago. Fortunately they don't bother the goats or chickens. I suppose it helps that I have my dogs fenced in at one corner of the pasture with the goats. When I first got my goats I used to lock them up but since I have the dogs out with them I don't feel the need.

 

[freemotion]

Do you have pictures of the shelter? Would love to see pictures

I don't have the "doghouse" I described....I have a small barn/shed built originally as a two-stall horse barn, now re-divided for the goats.

I do have a small coop I built from plywood that I may use as a temporary shelter for a buck. Right now I am raising some chicks in it until they are big enough to join the main flock in their coop. It is 4' x 4' x 8' , based on sheets of plywood. I'll see if I can get a decent picture...it is raining here today.

 

[goat lady]

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This is our goat house. We do not have it painted yet. But there is a hay rack inside and a bench for them to climb on. They either do that or lay under it. But they are inside it during the rain which we have been getting alot lately here in Florida. I have their water bucket/pail inside to keep it cooler in the summer here. I put an ice block in the water on really hot days and my goats love that.

 

[Griffin's Ark]

Here is a picture of a simple play area/shelter for smaller goats (Goat Gym). We used treated 4x4's for the uprights and plain 2x6's for the framing. The platforms are 3x5x5/8 cement board from Home Depot. The picture is not that great for viewing the Goat Gym, but you should get the idea. We can keep adding to it and let it get as big as our herd gets.

Chris

P.S. Goats absolutely need shelter BTW.

 

[ohiofarmgirl]

goats do not use shelters to sleep in.

wow thats kinda crazy advice. i'll 2nd what someone else said - what climate do you have?? they absolutely will want shelter from cold weather and what about rain and such? heat? you need something for them.

but for my $0.02 its just goat suicide to NOT lock them up at nite. if not the coyotes, your friendly neighborhood dogs would love to chase and kill them. unless you have electric fencing i'd sure lock them up at nite. we had a shed on our property and we use that...but last winter they lived in the (large) hen house - in a separate pen.

dont fool your self that b/c they arent a mini breed that they can defend themselves. even normally friendly dogs running with a pack could easily kill a full sized goat. guardian animals would be a good choice too but gosh... i'd get them something to live in. can you temporarily put them in a corner of the garage?

good luck!

 

[lupinfarm]

Consider putting them in something like a dog kennel at night. I would never leave Hermione and (now renamed) Cissy out overnight in a field/pasture like I would the horses. They are locked up tight (or so I thought ) in an outdoor chainlink dog run. I have even gone the extra mile and put rocks around the perimeter for digging dogs/coyotes.

 

[goatsandmore]

Goats do not like to get wet, so yes you need some where for them to get into .. I have 4 right now and plan on many more, they will always have someplace even if they never use it..

Don

 

[lupinfarm]

Hahaha goatsandmore is right, give them something even if they never use it. My two little girls have yet to venture into the small house we put in their chainlink run but they are more than happy to sit on top of it all night long. We also tacked up a tarp on the end that their house is on so they are in the shade and won't get rained on.

 

[lupinfarm]

[url]http://www.backyardherds.com/forum/uploads/374_pics_from_camera_421.jpg[/url]

This is our goat house. We do not have it painted yet. But there is a hay rack inside and a bench for them to climb on. They either do that or lay under it. But they are inside it during the rain which we have been getting alot lately here in Florida. I have their water bucket/pail inside to keep it cooler in the summer here. I put an ice block in the water on really hot days and my goats love that.

I really like the cinderblock base.. Hmmmm! You have given me ideas now!

 

[sandy sea]

Griffin's Ark. That is the coolest playground that I have ever seen. I want one. I just picked up my goats and the only thing they have to clinb on right now is a bale of straw and a park bench. I am going to have to add a playground to my HONEY DOO LIST. Thanks for the picture.