Nigerian Goat Enclosure

[SA Farm]

all of these ideas have been very helpful but no has really told me what kind of dimensions I should have for two nigerian dwarf goats on the den and enclosure? Also on a side note do they have to have grass and such to nibble on or can it just be dirt for the enclosure?

Mostly because the answers vary greatly
I have a 5x6 shed that I've used for up to 3 goats, but you can go bigger or smaller.
I use 10x10 kennels for turn out for, again, up to 3 goats, but I also have larger enclosures so I can rotate. The 10x10s can be moved.
Having browse is always a plus, but some people do use dry lots with success. The biggest concern there is worm loads, but as long as you're feeding off the ground, it shouldn't be too bad depending on your area.

Hope that helps...

 

[Danica]

Yes that is very helpful!! I really appreciate it and impressed at how quickly you responded.

 

[Southern by choice]

That is because there is no set dimension.
Many factors are involved.
Our goats spend all their time outside and generally just go in at night. However our winters are all rain.... Rain means they may spend days at a time inside which means they need more space.
In the other non rainy months our goats rarely go anywhere for shelter.
Keep in mind the smaller the area the more likely you will have to dry lot. Even in dry lot situations goats can and will get parasites.
We use 10x10's as kidding stalls.
Some say it should be 25 square feet of space per goat.

 

[SheepGirl]

http://www.backyardherds.com/threads/housing-and-space-guidelines-for-livestock.14898/

 

[Danica]

another thing for fencing could I just do hot-wire and put them out during the day then put them in their den at night if so how high would that hot-wire have to be

 

[treeclimber233]

There is no set answer for hot wire fencing either. I use hotwire for my goats. I ran 3 strands from my knee to the ground and I still had one goat that would go thru it. She would scream when the current hit her but she would still go thru it. There was a 4th strand higher up for height and one goat learned to jump thru the fence. The rest of the herd does not go near the hotwire.

 

[Lynn O]

Mostly because the answers vary greatly
I have a 5x6 shed that I've used for up to 3 goats, but you can go bigger or smaller.
I use 10x10 kennels for turn out for, again, up to 3 goats, but I also have larger enclosures so I can rotate. The 10x10s can be moved.
Having browse is always a plus, but some people do use dry lots with success. The biggest concern there is worm loads, but as long as you're feeding off the ground, it shouldn't be too bad depending on your area.

Hope that helps...

SA FARM - I have a question regarding feeding off the ground - I have the bermuda in a bucket hung on the wall but I give their pellets in a dog food bowl (mine are still littles) - is that not okay? TIA...

 

[kccjer]

We have IBC totes for housing and they work great. We get them free from the dairy just down the road. We also have pallets used for fencing....free is always good!

 

[Baymule]

Love it! Pallets are a construction wonder!! And totes for a goat house, how brilliant!

 

[Latestarter]

SA FARM - I have a question regarding feeding off the ground - I have the bermuda in a bucket hung on the wall but I give their pellets in a dog food bowl (mine are still littles) - is that not okay? TIA...

I think that's just fine... Is it working for you? There may be some waste and maybe more as they get a little older by stepping in the bowl or defecating in/near it or peeing in it... As they get a little bigger, you can always lift the bowl up off the ground and place it on some sort of platform like cinder blocks or something. Maybe build a wood frame around it to hold it in and down from being knocked over. May come a time when one becomes more possessive and won't let the other have any... so you may have to make a second or feed them separately...