dustbath for goats?

[BaBaaHMonica]

I have chickens in with my goats. I would like to have the dustbath in the goat shed since it is bigger and much of the time the goats are not in it, except eat, sleep and to get out of the rain. The snow does not faze the goats a bit with their fluffy coat. Should i make it big enough for the goats to roll around in it or make them separate? They are all doing well together, I just would like information on how to incorporate a dustbath. Thanks

 

[animalmom]

I've never noticed my goats doing a dustbath. I've had chickens in with my goats and either the goats are ignoring the chickens or the chickens are catching a ride on the goat but no sharing of the dustbath.

 

[rachels.haven]

One set of mine dust bathed. I think it's something they learn from each other. They really like sand, preferably in the sun, and always before milking so they could be nice and gritty. If your goats dust bathe, personally I'd watch their behavior and go by their preferences and that's the best way I can think of to incorporate it.

 

[BaBaaHMonica]

So I think I will start small and have it out mostly in the hotter months. The goats will be getting sheared again in about a month or so. I think it would do the most good if it is right next to the skin.

I can remember helping my Dad with catching the chickens so he could rub beachsand and ash from the wood stove. He would put them in a big trashcan that he saved only for that purpose in the spring and then again in the fall. I have noticed that my chickens like to dig a hole and do it on their own, but i think I would like to have a more organized dustbath station that they can get in and out of when they want to. Just today i saw that they found a corner in the icky straw of the goat shelter and OMG it was pretty warm in there.