Care and Housing

Housing and fencing

I once heard an older, more experienced farmer say, "If a fence won't hold water, it won't hold your goats." and that's about right! Goats are the one animal that can find any hole anywhere in your fencing and escape. Our goats continuously show us where the weak spots are in some of our older fences.

Goats HATE to get wet, therefore they definitely need a shelter. Our goats have several shelters, depending on which pasture they are in at the time. Our adult goats do not need a heat source in the winter, just clean pine shavings that are changed out regularly. Our goats have always preferred sleeping on an elevated surface to sleeping on the ground. Large spools or solid pallets serve as good "perches" for goats. Keep in mind that goats have no problem going to the bathroom where they sleep and eat, so do not use anything that would be permanent.

Hoof care

We attempt to give our goats regular hoof care. There have been a couple of wet winters that proved to be a challenge for goats hooves. The result of poor hoof care can result in hoof rot or even cripple a goat. Hoof rot is contagious and a goat that is affected will need to be separated from the herd. Having a milking stand in your barn or shelter is a good place for trimming hooves. There are several YouTube videos that will show you how to trim hooves.