How To Set Up A Goat Shelter

Before your goats even get to the property you need to be prepared by learning how to set up a shelter. The minimum space you would want to allocate to a baby goat is a 20’x25′ area. They need enough room for shelter, bedding, and food. Just remember, these baby goats will grow up and will need a bigger space in the future. For now; however, these are the key components that your “pasture” needs for baby goats to thrive. Winter is here, needing more information, this article on how goats thrive in winter gives you more resources and tips. Check out this youtube video of Packgoat.com shelter system. 

Fencing

It’s important for you to get the right kind of fencing for the set up of your goat shelter. Fencing keeps goats in, but more importantly, it keeps predators out. Dogs are the number one killer of goats, so it is critical for you to get proper fencing. We recommend getting corral fencing and wrapping it with a chain link. The corral fencing (used in horse corrals) gives the chain link the structure it needs. The chain link fencing provides an impenetrable barrier; the goats stay in and the predators stay out.  We also incorporate a gate with a locking mechanism which makes a way for you to get in and out of but has the capability of remaining a closed system structure.

Components of a Shelter

Within the fenced-off unit, you will need a shelter. We recommend a three-sided structure with a tin roof. Be sure to have the back wall be the barrier to the prevailing winds to keep the weather out. The size of this structure will depend on the number of babies you will raise at once but should not be too big for them to stay warm in. It should be able to keep them dry and out of the rain and wind. The set up of your goat shelter is critical to their health. Winter can be a stressful time, without the help of these 5 goat products you can’t survive.  So be prepared, and have the guidance to survive this winter with happy healthy goats!

Bedding For a Goat Shelter

Clean the bedding out every once in a while, but during the winter it offers great insulation. Keep tabs on the moisture levels in bedding as this interferes with the insulation value. Overly soiled hay can be harmful to goats’ respiratory systems and parasite loads. A tip from Packgoats.com, our Horned goat-feeder building plans will not only keep hay dry but wasted hay/stems are a great source of bedding. Want more information, check out this article, benefits of having a good design on a goat feeder.

Goat Shelter With a Mineral Bucket

The mineral bucket can be fixed into the side frame so that it does not get knocked over. The set up of the goat shelter keeps it dry and clean. Goats will not eat soiled minerals. However, a mineral block is insufficient for supplying minerals efficiently enough for a goats’ needs. Free choice mineral appropriate to your geographic location is the only suitable method for providing mineral to goats. Ask your vet or dairy goat farmers what they use. Minerals are critical to their immune system and body function. Also want to add the baking soda, free-choice grain,

Water Bucket For Goat Shelter

The set up of the goat shelter with the water bucket, any 5-gallon bucket or similar will work. Remember to take off the wire handle because goats can get it stuck over their heads or horns. Additionally, I use bailing twine to tie it up to the other back corner of the shelter so that it can’t get knocked over or pooped in. It also keeps it dry and clean.

In conclusion 

To sum it up, to set up a goat shelter these are the key components that your “pasture” needs for your goats to thrive. They need enough room for shelter, bedding, and food.

Be sure to check out packgoats.com our mission is to become a leading resource on all things for owning your goats. In addition, help you feel confident about the information and be successful in caring for your goats.

Remember November is the best time to buy your baby goat. So, don’t risk it, purchase with packgoats.com and have the built-in support of that kid, in information on how to raise, train, and gear up your packer for his entire lifetime.

Make sure your property is ready for your goats and learn how to set up a shelter system. Get the How to raise a baby goat course or the Pack Goat 101 course and be successful in growing happy healthy goats.