New to Goats - Sleeping shelves?

[junkprospector]

We are to become the owners of 2 Nigerian Dwarfs - a young doeling and a wether. They are nigerian dwarfs. We are building their goat pen and enclosure and my daughter was saying that they need sleeping shelves. I have built a small stall, about 36" x 48", then they have a coral area that is 6' x 6', then they have a large run area. I was thinking of putting the sleeping hhelves in their 36 x 48 stall but not real sure what they sleeping shelves look like, if goats like snug areas to sleep in, if they need to be staggered, etc... are there any pictures of sleeping shelves that these goats use? recomendations? Thanks!
John

 

[OneFineAcre]

We are to become the owners of 2 Nigerian Dwarfs - a young doeling and a wether. They are nigerian dwarfs. We are building their goat pen and enclosure and my daughter was saying that they need sleeping shelves. I have built a small stall, about 36" x 48", then they have a coral area that is 6' x 6', then they have a large run area. I was thinking of putting the sleeping hhelves in their 36 x 48 stall but not real sure what they sleeping shelves look like, if goats like snug areas to sleep in, if they need to be staggered, etc... are there any pictures of sleeping shelves that these goats use? recomendations? Thanks!
John

They don't really need sleeping shelves, they will sleep on the ground, although if you build a shelf they will likely get on it.

But, if you get a lot of rain and the floor of your stall is damp, they will need a way to get off of the ground.

 

[elevan]

We had solid wood pallets on the floor that our goats liked to sleep on.

 

[junkprospector]

if i do build some sleeping shelves, would a 36 x 24 platform be adequate? And if i put in 2 shelves, do they need to be staggered like stairs do allow the top bunk access by jumping from the bottom bunk? The stable area where i am thinking of putting the shelves is sided with plywood on 3 sides and the 4th has an open door that can be closed up all the way or just the bottom or top section can also be closed.

Or is this all completely unnecessary and they'll be OK if i just give them fresh straw in the stable area to lay on?

 

[elevan]

It's not necessary but it's a nice "perk" for the goats if you want to do it. They would be fine with straw for bedding if you don't want to do it.

Your dimensions sound fine for small goats.

 

[OneFineAcre]

Or is this all completely unnecessary and they'll be OK if i just give them fresh straw in the stable area to lay on?

Yes, it is completely unnecessary. That is, unless the groundis wet if you get a lot of rain. I've been dealing with that all summer.
It will saturate the bedding.

Anything that will allow them to get off of the ground if it is wet is fine.

 

[Southern by choice]

I agree with the others. We do have shelves and the goats love it!!!!!
We need more though because they ALL want to be on the shelves and there aren't enough.

Funny... Our 250 lb buck has a shelter all to himself and there is a big shelf in it... he loves his shelf, like a big baby!
Mine like pallets too! Just have to make sure they aren't Open Pallets but solid surface.

I have 2 goats that love to try and get up in the hens nesting shelves ( like boxes but longer with no dividers).
Lamanchas especially love the climbing high. Goofy goats!

 

[Chevoner]

I have never heard of this before, but it doesn't sound like a lot of extra work or expense if you have access to free pallets.
Definitely something I will be considering! Thanks!

 

[junkprospector]

so we installed some sleeping shelves for our little goaties. THey're pretty solid - my 6 year old boy tested them out and they're pretty sturdy... the goats however seem to prefer sleeping under the bottom shelf - the two of them snuggle together under the shelf and drift off.... its pretty cute.

 

[HoneyDreameMomma]

Have any pictures of that you can share? That sounds like a picture of the week...