Housing For Goats
Goat Housing, Bedding, Fencing, Exercise Yards And Pasture Management Guide
A goat's housing needs are simple: fresh air; a place to get out of hot sun, blowing wind, and cold rain and snow; a clean place to sleep; and safety from predators.
Goats are incredibly curious animals. They constantly check things out. If the fence develops a hole, in no time they will find the hole and wiggle through. If you accidentally leave a gate open, before you know it they'll be down the road checking out the neighbourhood. Goats investigate not only with their eyes but also with their lips, which they use to test new foods and objects, including gate latches. If a latch moves, they'll keep working it until it falls open, and out they go.
Goats also chew on things. If you use a rope to tie a gate shut, a goat will chew through the rope, open the gate, and go exploring. Electrical connections are especially dangerous for a goat to chew. Since a goat will stand on its hind legs and stretch to investigate anything that looks interesting, make sure all electrical wiring and fixtures are well out of reach.
Goats are famous for their ability to jump. Kids love to leap against a wall and push off with all fours. If the wall has a glass window in it, the glass could shatter and the kid could be seriously cut. Goats also love to climb. Make sure your goats can't climb onto the roof of their house. Their sharp hooves could cause the roof to leak, and even though goats are surefooted animals, one could fall off the roof and break a leg.
Every time you visit your goats, check around for things that could hurt them.
A nail sticking out of the wall can rip open a goat's lip. A loose piece of wire can get wrapped around a goat's neck or leg. A rake or pitchfork lying on the ground can pierce a goat's foot.
Goat Housing, Bedding, Fencing, Exercise Yards And Pasture Management Guide
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Goat Lap Shop Home
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American Dairy Goat Association
American Goat Society
Dairy Goat Society of Australia
DEFRA UK
National Pygmy Goat Association
Pygmy Goat Club
Welfare of Goats During Transport
Updated 5 March 2022 ©