Hi everyone I live in Upstate NY kinda near Ithaca. My husband and I make goat's milk soap and are considering getting 2 Nigerians if it's a possibility. Last year I checked with the village we live in and was told they are legal. They have never had anyone ask before, but said they can't annoy neighbors and get loose. We have part of our property (the part we'd put the goats) right next to woods and a school field.
We are thinking of getting 2 does and hiring a stud (or sending them to one) when it's time to get bred.
My questions are what do I need to start? How big would a little barn have to be for 2? I know they only need a 25x25 foot space and we will be feeding them hay. From my research they aren't too expensive to keep. Is this true? What are must-haves? What's the best fencing? I have read cattle fencing is best but is that too wide for Nigerians? Thanks!!
Oh and one more thing that my hubby is most concerned about--do they take a ton of time to care for? Again, thanks!
Replies
Ah - good thing that I don't have a rental agreement. Of course - that is also a risk concept but in this case it works. Only thing that stays should I go is the sheep shelter - all sheds, fences and equipment are mine to move. Of course - I don't want to move......
If you rent, and you plan to take your fencing with you when you move, be careful of the wording of your rental agreement. A lot of rental agreements state that you must leave certain items and improvements when you leave. Things like fencing can be considered improvements that are "permanant" if you put them in a certain way.
I'd recommend reading Deborah's book- very comprehensive!
I rent and I put up woven wire fences. Expensive but great. I use the non-climbable horse fencing so the holes are 2x4. I can easily move it if needed. Well- hard work but doable.
Small barn and small outside can work but you will quickly aspire to bigger of both so consider that esrly on. Yes- they can exist in a small space but it is like having goldfish in a fishbowl versus goldfish in a big pond. Goats like to run and play and browse- so if you are going to keep them in a small outside area- you will have to commit to taking them for regular outings in the woods so they can browse. I have friends who keep goats in small areas but those goats go out daily for 1-2 hours religiously- very dedicated owners focused in good browse nutrition!
That said- they are easy and adorable to keep!!! Have fun planning.
I use cattle panels, because I can move them easily, and we rent, so I don't really want to provide expensive fencing for my landlord, as much as I love him. ;) HOWEVER. If I were going to build fencing, I think I would go a different route now that I've had goats for a while. If I were to "redo" my cattle panels, I would make movable wooden framed sections with 2X4 inch holes. The holes on the cattle panels are large enough that kid goats can get through them easily. You'll have to put something up to about 3 feet high to keep them in, so just buying the right fencing in the first place makes more sense. Woven wire is a MUST, because welded wire comes undone from itself from the goats rubbing on it. Here's the kind I suggest. I know I could get it at Lowe's here. http://tinyurl.com/poq4h7f
You'll also want to make sure your fencing is at least 4' tall.
I'll be following this as I am interested in the many answers you will get.