Do miniature dairy goats help you save money? Or do they cost...

[Thunderhill]

My goats are happy inside the fence as long as there is another goat in there with them. They are herd animals and prefer company. I've never had one climb a fence.....not saying they can't...just never had it happened. Some folks have said that their buck climbed the fence while in rut but mine never have.
Even if I leave the gate open they just run to the feed bins instead of leaving out into the yard.
Good luck with whatever you decide. I've always said that a herd goats is the closest thing to a herd of puppies, but with all the good things.

 

[Haviris]

I didn't read through all the posts, just wanted to comment on one thing, in my experience the little ones are the harder ones to keep in. They can fit through the tiniest holes and are more agile when it comes to jumping.

 

[Cara]

If you're milking your goats, you'll most likely want to keep them penned with a consistent food source, as weeds can make milk taste dreadful. Mine eat alfalfa hay and the heavily pregnant and milking does have grain twice a day. This is a typical way to keep dairy goats.

Trying to fence enough pasture that you don't have to feed much is a very different undertaking, especially since most people don't have acres of completely level ground with fence-friendly soil.

ETA Most goat keepers find cattle panels suitable for keeping goats enclosed. They aren't especially expensive (or attractive!), but are easy to build pens with.