what do i need to have ready to get goats? ( pygmy)

[mymoneypit]

I've been thinking of getting goats all summer, figured I'd wait till spring, so I have time to learn more and build a house and enclosure. And then hubby just told me his coworker was complaining, if his 2 goats get out one more time.... so hubby said if you're serious I'll take them.

I have the space, I have fencing, I have lumber. But I've only been researching for ashort while. Should their house close up like a coop? We do have coyotes locally, but all the goat houses I see on Google just have open fronts. And from what I read if I build them a playground of sorts to climb on they may be less intent on escaping? Is this true? And do they get bored so I'd have to rearrange their toys periodically?

If I end up building a goat house, right now, it will only be to get them through winter, as I plan on getting a bigger building in spring to serve as a small barn.

 

[Stacykins]

I've been thinking of getting goats all summer, figured I'd wait till spring, so I have time to learn more and build a house and enclosure. And then hubby just told me his coworker was complaining, if his 2 goats get out one more time.... so hubby said if you're serious I'll take them.

I have the space, I have fencing, I have lumber. But I've only been researching for ashort while. Should their house close up like a coop? We do have coyotes locally, but all the goat houses I see on Google just have open fronts. And from what I read if I build them a playground of sorts to climb on they may be less intent on escaping? Is this true? And do they get bored so I'd have to rearrange their toys periodically?

If I end up building a goat house, right now, it will only be to get them through winter, as I plan on getting a bigger building in spring to serve as a small barn.

My goats all get closed into stalls at night. I have coyotes and wolves (pictures taken a mile from the house) in the area, plus bear. So night time protection is a must.

Build a good fence before you build a good playground. Toys are easy to find. I do rearrange the spools, barrels, boxes (wooden ones) and playhouses my goats use. But if I take a while to do so, they don't seem too bored. They play with each other, too.

 

[mymoneypit]

Ok more lol What's the best thing to feed them in? My ducks eat out of plastic dog bowls, are those good? Would goats chew them up? Should I get metal or is there some better idea? I spent some time looking online and all I gather is one per goat should be used, but idk how big they should be.

 

[cassie]

You need some sort of a hay rack. When I was showing I found an inexpensive serviceable one made for sheep that attached to the wall. If the goats get the hay down thye will tromp on it a soil it and then the won't eat it. You should be able to find a hay rack at the local livestock supply or go to caprinesupply.com or nasco. I don't know what the web site address for Nasco is, but you should be able to find it. Nasco has a number of catalogs. You need to find the livestock supply one.