4h goats. Housing question.

[EmmaRainboe]

Hey, I'm interested in doing a 4h goat project, but having goats on our property is just not gonna happen. Are there places where your goats can stay and sleep, but you can still take care if them? Boarding?

 

[Outta Here]

Find people who have goats ( Craigslist ads selling goats, other 4H'ers, etc.) and ask them whether they would board your goats for a fee...Make sure to inspect their facilities very, very thoroughly! Are their fences dog proof? Are their children allowed to open (and probably forget to close) gates? Is it clean and not crowded? Your goats would probably run with or near theirs, so is their herd healthy?

 

[Jory]

Not many responsible people are going to allow a strange goat near their herd.

Just join a goat 4-H group and start learning all you can. As fair gets close next year you should be able to lease a project animal from the leader or other kids.

 

[Outta Here]

Not many responsible people are going to allow a strange goat near their herd.

Just join a goat 4-H group and start learning all you can. As fair gets close next year you should be able to lease a project animal from the leader or other kids.

Yes, that's true. Your goat would probably have to be quarantined awhile to rule out health issues before a serious goat raiser would let it near their herd, which is what happens when they buy a new goat. And even then, newcomers often get beat up or ostracized. It would take just the right circumstances for you and the other person to be satisfied.
You could also find someone without goats but with a nice fenced area/pasture and secure, clean pen.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Do you know anyone in your 4h goat club? Sometimes they have extra goats or maybe they haven't gotten their goats yet (depending on the date of the fair). If you acquire the goats from the same source, there wouldn't be issues.
Maybe contact the 4h goat leader to get some suggestions.

When my kids had goats for 4h we housed them at their grandparents barn. They didn't have goats at the time and it worked out well for all of us.

 

[Outta Here]

Do you know anyone in your 4h goat club? Sometimes they have extra goats or maybe they haven't gotten their goats yet (depending on the date of the fair). If you acquire the goats from the same source, there wouldn't be issues.
Maybe contact the 4h goat leader to get some suggestions.

When my kids had goats for 4h we housed them at their grandparents barn. They didn't have goats at the time and it worked out well for all of us.

Ah, grandparent's barn! Could be perfect!! My grandson is keeping his 6 cows and calves and a bull on my back pasture!

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Ah, grandparent's barn! Could be perfect!! My grandson is keeping his 6 cows and calves and a bull on my back pasture!

They kept starter calves and a rabbit there as well.

 

[cassie]

Put up a notice on the feed store or other bulletin board. You may find someone who has a barn set up they are not using that you can rent. I have had friends that have done that. Keep in mind that people that have goats are not going to want your goats mixed in with theirs.

 

[littledog]

Maybe ask around at nearby horse boarding barns, too. One of the horses at my barn has a goat friend in his stall/paddock, because he paces all night without company (even with other horses next door.)