Goat Housing

[Hobby Farm]

We will be getting our first two goats in a few weeks. My question is about their housing. Although I would really like to get an outside area fenced off for them, I'm not sure if I will get it done before we get our goats. They will have an area in the barn that is 10'x10'. Is this enough space for two goats to share? Is it essential that they have access to an outside area? I want the goats to be happy. Will they be okay if they aren't able to get outside at first?

 

[freemotion]

They need to be able to get outside! At least get a smaller area fenced while you are finishing the larger area. You can take the smaller area down later....but it is very handy to have the barn or shed open into a smaller fenced area and have that open into a larger pasture. Then you can close them in the smaller area whenever you need to work on the large area in the future.....fixing fencing, gates, mowing, liming, seeding, etc.

 

[mully]

a 10X10 area is fine for 2 goats but how long are you talking about that they are not outside? They need to get exercise and fresh air so consider getting them outside asap. Good luck!

 

[trestlecreek]

Are you getting 2 does? OR a doe and a wether?
If so, your 10 x 10 in your barn will be fine for a month or so.
Until you get your pasture done, you can take them out daily on a leash to let them eat and get fresh air.

 

[Hobby Farm]

I am getting a 9 month old Oberhasli doe and a 2 year old Alpine in milk. I can easily create an outside area with the 10'x6' chain link panels I have left until I get a larger area done. Eventually I will have a large fenced in area in the woods(up to 2 acres) and it will be connected to about 3/4 of an acre pasture. It's going to be a lot of fencing to run, but should be very nice when I get done. The goats will be able to browse in the woods or graze on the pasture. I would like to set it up so I can choose which area they are in by opening or closing a gate.

Thanks for the great advise.

 

[kimmyh]

10x10 is not a large enough area for full sized goats. Get some cattle panels and t-posts and you can have a pen up in an hour. If you just can't get their pen up, then try boarding the goats where you are buying them, no point in punishing the goats just to have them at your place.

 

[lupinfarm]

Chain link panels would be great for their outside area, is there anyway you could (if you have 2 stalls or something) temporarily connect them so they have a 10x20 area in your barn?

My two Pygmy (or Pygmy X's) have a 10x10 (ish) area in a chainlink dog run right now with a small house they are living in 24/7 while I build their 6x6 goat house and fence in their pasture.

 

[cmjust0]

If we're talking about a few weeks, I think you'd be fine.. If you could easily make them even a small outdoor area, though, I'm sure they'd appreciate it.

 

[Hobby Farm]

I'm going to do everything I possibly can to get them a nice outside area this weekend. I don't want them to be in too small of a space and be unhappy. Looks like it's going to be a real "Labor" Day weekend. lol I guess it's a labor of love. I'll look around again and see what I have on hand and get them something put together. I may be able to stretch a few more feet of barn space to get the barn area that is 10'x16' or 18' instead of only 10'x10'. I don't have to get them next week, but the seller really wants to get rid of them (he needs the money).