I want to get two does as backyard dairy goats. I'm not sure how much space they need though.
Attached is a photo of my plans for their shelter. It is a 4x9 rectangle with a second level. Each level would be about 3 feet high. There is a door for myself to walk through and make for easy clean-up, and also a a goat door so I can keep them as safe as possible. I might be able to do a "barn-style" door, where it is separated into two halves, and each half can move separately.
Thank you everyone for all your help and support. :)
Replies
I built an 8x8 building which is probably 8 feet high - it is fine for a couple of does/or bucks. However, anything more than that - too small.
I had to separate a kid and her babysitter and built a pallet shed. The "sleeping" area was only 4' wide by 8' long. I assumed they would come out under the tarped area and hang out. Nope. If it was sprinkling they would perch on the 4x8 area. 4 feet in width is definitely not deep enough. :/
Of course, now that I've said it out loud... lol
But I think that the key for us has been to keep their grain (I have the grain for the milking does out in the barn in a section I have away from the does to milk and store hay) in a pest proof container. So no mice. I do have an LGD living with the goats, so I might have a raccoon or opossum issue if she weren't there...
I don't have in the goat area and don't want any. There is a possum problem in general and raccoon issues and, of course, squirrels. It's good to hear that you have not had any. I figure now is the time to consider it.
Glenna, just some input about rodents... IDK if you already have an issue, and so the reason for thinking you might with your barn... but I haven't had any rodent issues so far, and I've had dirt floors the whole time. :)
Because I wanted a barn that looks like a barn (roof line, etc.), I went on-line and found one that I love. I did get the plans for both sizes and have been trying to decide which one to build closer to the house. It will either be the smaller one or the larger one shorter because of setback requirements. I'm leaning to the larger one because of the loft. I want the doors facing the yard because I like that look which is why I am not building the full size of the bigger one. It was planned to be built this summer but then I had to go and dislocate my shoulder and break my arm so things got delayed. Another holdup was I was trying to decide on a dirt floor or a concrete floor and think I am going with dirt, at least for now, though I like the ability to rodent-proof with a concrete floor. I'm thinking fencing with hardware cloth on the floor fastened to the foundation will take care of the rodent issue for a few years. I walked into Restore on Saturday and they had pier blocks for $2 each so I bought all they had, very timely since the barn is soon to be started. I know it's silly, but I wanted a traditional red barn.<g>
http://www.barnplans.com/minibarn.php
In case you don't already know, your goats are going to love that top level. My girls absolutely love their sleeping shelf/table. In April, my younger doe used it for a kidding pen, scooted all the way back in the corner underneath it, her own little cave. (Wasn't convenient for me but she felt secure.)
It is small, but that really depends on what other spaces you are going to use for things like kidding and milking. Temporary kidding stall in a garage? Milking in garage?
If your does are going to be having kids, you could end up with anywhere from 4 to 8 (and could be more) goats sharing that space for part of the year.
IMO it also depends on what your winters are like. I didn't check to see where you're from, but here in northern MN, I have to keep in mind that some winters (with lots of snow) the does may hardly leave the barn for months at a time. I wouldn't want my does cooped up in that tight of a space for so long.
Also keep in mind that you somehow have to clean out a space that is three feet high with that design. That could be a real trick! :)
I really love this barn:
http://nigeriandwarfgoats.ning.com/photo/my-barn?context=featured
There are additional photos on here of the building in progress. If I only had 2-3 goats, this is what I'd build.
That is really small. We have some kidding pens that are 4 X 10, and that is really too small. There is barely enough room for me to sit on the straw in there during kidding. It is quite crowded when there are two people in there. My 5 X 10 kidding pens are great for a single doe and her kids for a couple of weeks, but that's about it.
PS, I really like the idea of the barn style door better than what you have, because it would be nice to be able to look out and see what the girls are doing when they are hanging out in their shelter.
your design looks really great!
One thing I would keep in mind:
Where will you be milking, and where will your does kid?
If the answer is in your shelter, then you might want to think about how well YOU will fit in there to take care of things. If you are planning on just using the shelter for shelter, and using someplace like your garage, or the corner of a back porch or someplace like that for those things, then I say your shelter will serve you well as is!