What other animals can be kept with Nigerian Dwarf Goats? I have plenty of barn space for something small, just don't know what is the best to co-exist with my goats..

Actually, Rachel brings up an important point, feed. One of the most important parts of this whole situation you are contemplating is feeding. It is really not so hard to keep many different types of animals together in a social situation but one of the problems is that you will ALMOST always need to have a feeding plan that will enable you to keep certain animals out of other animals feed. I have always kept an unusual assortment of animals together so I rarely have a problem with this. It is just second nature for me to plan a way to feed separately. Chickens are always a great critter to have around. I'd like to know a little more about what you want. I really like pigs, if you can get some of the smaller ones. You obviously are ok with raising your own meat. I would suggest that you do some research, and seriously consider trying a few rabbits. In case you are not to familiar, let me point out a couple of things. They are about the easiest way to produce more pounds of meat in the shortest amount of time. They are a good size and would not hurt the goats. Feeding would not be to dangerous depending on what you feed because they can eat hay and alfalfa. You do not have to keep them in little wire cages up off the ground. If you have that much barn space you can fix them a good size area on the floor as long as you have it secured to a certain height, spread hay on the floor and raise bunnies. There are breeders who raise them this way. They need a clean area and ventilation and if they have enough room and get along together you can actually keep two or more does together and let them breed and raise in a group. The best way to do this is with mother and daughters, sisters or a group who have been together since they were weaned at about 4-8 weeks. They will usually get along well enough to live in a group. NEVER KEEP BUCKS TOGETHER! THEY WILL CASTRATE EACH OTHER IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, CAUSING THEM TO BLEED TO DEATH! It is sometimes possible to kep a buck with the does and bunnies though. It is always a risk and requires some effort but is worth it, and not a huge or expensive venture. They can dig. Don't know if you have cement barn floors or not. They will also chew on wood. In fact they should have untreated wood available to help keep their teeth worn down. There is a great OLD general livestock book that tells about this and lots of other things. I am going to see if I can find it in case anyone is interested. It would be a great addition to any homesteaders library.

Replies

Janelle Taylor May 30, 2012 at 11:31am

Thank you everyone for your replies! I have actually been raising rabbits for about 7 years for meat, show, and pets. I have just dispersed my herd to make more time for me and my new goat adventure :-) I now only have one Flemish Giant doe that had 10 babies a month ago. I am just getting to be able to kill my own meat rabbits. I found the easiest way, DON'T NAME THEM, lol. Once I name an animal, there is an emotional bond for me. Therefore, I don't name any animal on my farm that is to be used for meat. I think at this point I will just stick with my goats and rabbits, but thank you for all the replies! :-)
Rhonda May 30, 2012 at 11:14am

Miniature horse. Although they are not smaller they co exist with goats great.
Margaret Langley May 29, 2012 at 5:29pm

Actually, Rachel brings up an important point, feed. One of the most important parts of this whole situation you are contemplating is feeding. It is really not so hard to keep many different types of animals together in a social situation but one of the problems is that you will ALMOST always need to have a feeding plan that will enable you to keep certain animals out of other animals feed. I have always kept an unusual assortment of animals together so I rarely have a problem with this. It is just second nature for me to plan a way to feed separately. Chickens are always a great critter to have around. I'd like to know a little more about what you want. I really like pigs, if you can get some of the smaller ones. You obviously are ok with raising your own meat. I would suggest that you do some research, and seriously consider trying a few rabbits. In case you are not to familiar, let me point out a couple of things. They are about the easiest way to produce more pounds of meat in the shortest amount of time. They are a good size and would not hurt the goats. Feeding would not be to dangerous depending on what you feed because they can eat hay and alfalfa. You do not have to keep them in little wire cages up off the ground. If you have that much barn space you can fix them a good size area on the floor as long as you have it secured to a certain height, spread hay on the floor and raise bunnies. There are breeders who raise them this way. They need a clean area and ventilation and if they have enough room and get along together you can actually keep two or more does together and let them breed and raise in a group. The best way to do this is with mother and daughters, sisters or a group who have been together since they were weaned at about 4-8 weeks. They will usually get along well enough to live in a group. NEVER KEEP BUCKS TOGETHER! THEY WILL CASTRATE EACH OTHER IN A MATTER OF SECONDS, CAUSING THEM TO BLEED TO DEATH! It is sometimes possible to kep a buck with the does and bunnies though. It is always a risk and requires some effort but is worth it, and not a huge or expensive venture. They can dig. Don't know if you have cement barn floors or not. They will also chew on wood. In fact they should have untreated wood available to help keep their teeth worn down. There is a great OLD general livestock book that tells about this and lots of other things. I am going to see if I can find it in case anyone is interested. It would be a great addition to any homesteaders library.
Rachel Whetzel at MigMog Acres May 29, 2012 at 9:44am

I have my chicks in the same barn as my bucklings. I don't have them in the same sleeping quarters, but my chickens go into my goat yard every day, and they do fine together. I have a friend with her cows in the same field as her goats too. I think as long as you have a way to separate sleeping quarters, and to keep your goats out of the other animal's food (chicken feed is BAD for goats, and will give them diarrhea really fast.) It's pretty easy/OK to let them mingle.

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