Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Open shelters are fine in areas with no predators and mild climates. I've seen three-sided shelters
that resemble cardboard boxes tipped on their side—only 4 feet tall so they are just big enough
for the goat or sheep to get into. I prefer a taller shelter that is easier to clean out. Our goat shed is
10×8 and 6 feet tall, which is plenty tall enough for me to get into and clean everything up. It also
leaves enough room for the milking stand to be inside the shed so we can milk the goats out of the
elements on misty mornings.
This sheep is cozy in her warm shed with plenty of bedding. The wooden walls and sawdust will keep her
warm, and most importantly, dry.
(Photo courtesy of Brian Boucheron)
Your shelter and feeding areas should be close enough to wherever you store the feed that daily
chores aren't a hassle. We have an interesting arrangement in our backyard where the back wall
of the storage shed doubles as the back wall of the goat shed. (See the quarter-acre illustration in
Chapter 3.) Close proximity like that will make it extremely convenient to do your daily feedings.
Whatever housing arrangement you have should include a large-enough yard that your goats and
sheep can have a comfortable amount of exercise each day. Our goat yard includes some interesting
rock features that the goats like to climb on. If your yard doesn't have anything, provide wooden
spools or large stumps for your goats to climb on.
We also have an additional yard that the goats can browse in on a regular basis. This allows them
to change up their daily routine a bit, as well as providing them with fresh browse (brushy plants
to nibble on). Having more than one yard or pasture area allows you to rotate where they are being
kept and helps prevent (or decrease) parasite infestations.
