Chickens and goats?

[AnotherKim]

Has anyone raised both in the same run? I have a large backyard that is sectioned into garden, dog run, and play area, I want to put my chicken run in the "shady" area, and possibly put goats in there too.Shade is hard to come by in AZ. There's only one shady area in my yard that isn't right next to the neighbors fence.

I'm still debating which types of chickens and goats. I really want Silkies, but I'm worried about the heat here, so leaning toward a more heat tolerant breed. I want a couple of milking goats. I'm in love with Kinders, but can't find them in Arizona. I'm torn between a full sized Alpine and the smaller, Nigerian Dwarf. We had pygmies a few years ago. I loved them, but I don't want to worry about the birthing problems they have. besides, they're more meat, than milk goats.

I'd love to know if anyone has worked a situation like this. I could put fencing between the two areas. If I don't have to, I rather not buy extra fencing.

 

[mlm Mike]

Sharing a run shouldn't be a problem. Our chickens go into the goat yard all the time, and lay eggs in the goat barns. If housing together, be aware the chicken dust can cause respiratory issues with the goats, but with your AZ weather you probably aren't locking them up for extended period of times. Also, I have heard/read that some chicken food can be bad for goats, I think the vegetarian chicken food might be safer, at least chicken food/goat food labels appear to be similar.

 

[AnotherKim]

Thanks. Good information.

 

[Whittni]

They can, but beware of small chickens around goat feet.

 

[Matthew3590]

My nigerian goats and game hens (pullets and very small teens) always share the same yard and enclosed area when it is the goats dinner time. The chickens learn to avoid the goats feet and it only takes 1 step on for that chicken to remember to not go near it.

 

[Kikicounihan]

I have two fainting goats and 4 bantam chickens. I have the coop just outside of the goat pen just in case an issue develops, but everyday the chickens go inside the goats pen to play, scratch, eat, etc. They all get along great and I haven't had any issues. The chickens are pretty quick to get out of the goats way when necessary!

 

[Whittni]

But some don't see it coming the first time.

 

[AnotherKim]

I have two fainting goats and 4 bantam chickens. I have the coop just outside of the goat pen just in case an issue develops, but everyday the chickens go inside the goats pen to play, scratch, eat, etc. They all get along great and I haven't had any issues. The chickens are pretty quick to get out of the goats way when necessary!

I'm trying not to imagine a goat fainting right on top of the chickens. LOL. Not funny, but a funny picture in my head.I have to make some money, so can start building pens and coops. I'm thinking about building a pallet pen. I have an old rabbit cage for the chickens. I need to get some wood for that, too. When we had pygmy goats, we used hog wire for their pen. They bent the heck out of it. This time I'm thinking of using metal panels for fencing. I've seen fences like this around town and I really like the look of wood and metal.

 

[MamaB]

We have 3 Nigerian Dwarf doelings, 12 chickens and 2 ducks that all share the same "play yard". There is a run off the chicken coop that the door stays open to all day so the girls can get in there to lay (although some like to lay in the manger) and then shut the chickens in when it is feeding time since the goats seem to prefer the chicken feed to their grain! Everyone gets along great!