Thank you to all of you who have given me info on the different dairy goat breeds.

I am working on my goat barn which is 8x8 with a 20x20 run is this big enough for 2 large breed dairy goats?

Thanks!

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), November 20, 2001

Answers

If you are going to be feeding them hay, then yes it is big enough. Speaking of hay, not all feeders are created equal! Try to choose one that will waste a minimum of hay. Another thing I have learned about building hings for goats is to nail from the inside whenever I can. That way, if they push against it or butt one another into it, it won't give way! Enjoy your goats- did you decide what breed to get?

-- Rebekah (daniel1@itss.net), November 20, 2001.

Hi Rebekah. I will be feeding hay and grain plus mineral block. I plan on keeping goats in this arrangement until spring then i have a grassy area with trees that i plan to fence in and let them in there when i am home. When i am not home they will be in the barn and run. I have not decided which breed to get yet. I did find some people on the internet who raise Saanens, they live about 1 1/2 mile down the road from me. I go down by their place all the time and have never seen goats. I sent them an e-mail. I found a ad in the feed store for a nubian that is close by so i am thinking about that too.

thanks

-- george (bngcrview@aol.com), November 20, 2001.

I have penned in areas. One has georgous grass and another has woods. They love the woods and don't cut my grass for me. (just to let you know) I made keyhole feeders for my goats. It keeps them from fighting and wasting hay. Works really well.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), November 20, 2001.

Ours prefer the wooded area and shrubs, but they can often be seen out on about 3/4 acre of pasture. Last year about 10 adults and 10 kids kept this area down. Had to swap pastures with the bucks as they couldn't keep up with theirs. That size barn will be real nice, they figure about 15 - 20 sq. feet per adult goat, but the more room the cleaner it will stay. Mine eat mainly a local grass hay with very little waste. I give them some alfalfa and if it has fine stems they don't waste much, thicker stems they will leave them unless you make them eat them (they are convinced that I should just clear them out and give them new). Good luck with your goats, whichever breed you decide on.

-- Leslie in Western WA (sundaycreek@gnrac.net), November 20, 2001.

sounds like you are getting good and ready to take that "leap". I hope that you enjoy your goaties as much as I enjoy mine!!

-- diane (gardiacaprines@yahoo.com), November 20, 2001.

I George, change the block to loose minerals and it sounds great. My first goats lived in 10 x 10 stalls with a 50 x 100 pen for about 3 years. I let them out to roam in the woods when I was around, which with 3 kids, no electricty and guarding our life savings in building material stacked on the new foundation to our house, was always! Vicki

-- Vicki McGaugh (vickilonesomedoe@hotmail.com), November 21, 2001.