Nigerian Dwarf Goat housing

[sodamancer]

I am new to the backyard herd thing and we have decided that in the spring we will be bringing home 2 nigerian dwarf does and perhaps a wether. We live (house and all on just over a 1/4acre. We have a 13x18 stick built shed on a concrete foundation in the backyard that currently houses our lawnmower. I was thinking of converting this into our goat shed but the hubby thinks we should just build a new one. I disagree but would love to hear thoughts or see pics of other goat housing. I want to milk near their shelter in a covered space. I was also thinking of buying a mama and her kid......is this a good idea?

 

[autumnprairie]

you would have more than enough room in the shed that you have.

 

[marlowmanor]

Sounds like you are doing the literal backyard herd! We are doing the same thing. We have 1/2 acre and all of our animals (chickens and goats are set up in the backyard. Let me see if I have a shot that shows our goat set up. It's nothing fancy and we want to expand it so we have room to breed our doe and possible buy more goats. It's a process though. We have the fencing to expand we just don't have the t-posts to expand. T-posts are so expansive we have to save up and get them a little at a time to get things done.

 

[sodamancer]

LOL i have 7 chickens and that got me started. Then the mini goats at the fair. Last night in my seraching i heard about mini sheep!!!! As a spinnner my heart raced! My husband thinks I am nuts. I may have to send my children to school so i can keep up with my growing hobbies. HAHAHAHAAA. oh well. I will take photos of my shed later and post my paint doc mock up of what i think would work. You all can critique away

 

[sodamancer]

Here are photos of the shed i would like to turn into a barn/goat house.
Inside

Outside with chicken coop out back

Inside front and loft area needs revamping

inside back

What would you do to make this a functional goat house/chicken feed area

 

[Goatherd]

Your building looks great to start. It looks well constructed and weather proof.

You mention wanting to keep chicken feed in there so the important thing to remember is you would need a separate, secure area that the goats would not have access to or be able to get into the feed.
Subdividing your shed could be easily done.

If you are keeping your goats together, then the shed would be fine as is. If you want them to have separate accommodations, then dividing into individual stalls would be appropriate.

If the loft is high enough, you could keep extra bales of hay up there. I don't think you'll have much of a problem at all. Good luck.

 

[ksalvagno]

I think you will find that you hate the cement floor for the goats. They do pee all over so it is going to be a mess. You need a good shed to keep feed and stuff in, so build a new shed for the goats with a dirt floor.

 

[Tmaxson]

I agree with the dirt floor idea. We built our first house with a wood floor and are now building a new one with dirt floor.

 

[sodamancer]

okay thankyou! i really dont wish to muck out a stall more i have too

 

[Alice Acres]

Our whole barn has a dirt floor...and having a cement floored (old dairy barn) one growing up - I MUCH prefer the dirt floor!

Good luck with your goat project