Barn Floor

I am designing the small barn for what will be the goat and piggy home. We only plan to have three goats to start and two pigs. The pig side I'm all set on but what kind of floor is best for Nigerian Dwarfs? The local guys here around ElPaso all have small three sided sheds with dirt, but I am doing an actual closed building (which they think I'm nutz) but I know the winter temperatures are below freezing some nights out here in the desert. In summer I have removable panels for better airflow, so it will be cooler. The floor can be dirt, concrete, sealed wood, or other - what would you do? 

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Replies

  • I agree with Julianne about dirt floor with straw. Just be sure that the barn won't flood.

    A closed building is fine if you have predators that might eat the goats at night, but you do NOT want the barn to be air tight because you will have problems with pneumonia. They need fresh air. Here is a post that I wrote about goats in winter:

    http://thriftyhomesteader.com/2011/12/goats-in-winter.html

    Our goats have been fine down to 20 below zero in Illinois. They just need to stay dry and out of the wind.

  • I'm of the opinion that goats do well on a dirt floor covered in straw. I also think that unless your temps are extreme, they should be outside as much as possible so they acclimate. I think it helps them be hardier. And ND's are pretty adaptable critters, they put on a nice thick winter coat and shed it well during the summer. 

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