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Goat Facilities
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Robert Spencer, Urban Regional
Extension Specialist, Alabama A&M University |
| Introduction |
Facilities for goats are an
important aspect of goat production. More experienced goat
producers understand the role of goat facilities. However,
novice producers may not realize that facilities are equally
important as fencing. Goats need access to minimal shelter
in case of inclement weather conditions. Like humans, they
suffer from various illnesses as a result of extreme weather
conditions, including extended exposure to sun.
When designing, developing, or purchasing
a facility it's important to consider structural costs, materials,
affordability, and functionality. Fencing and shelter should
be the primary consideration when determining appropriate
facilities for goat production. Feeders, water vessels, and
service equipment would be secondary; however, it's important
to meet the needs of your animals. The ability to properly
maintain and effectively sanitize feeders and water vessels
is important to ensure overall herd health. Your selection
of proper facilities will be based on herd management strategies,
needs, and financial resources. |
| Shelter Design |
Goats, like other animals,
have hollow hair that functions as an insulator that allows
them to withstand moderate cold and heat. Although they originated
from the wild, goats still have an instinct to seek shelter
during inclement weather conditions. Once domesticated, however,
goats tend to lose some of their survival instincts and cannot
tolerate sudden temperature changes. By the same token, heating
or air conditioning a shelter is not always feasible.
Shelters or housing for goats can be as basic
or elaborate as the designer wishes. Some farmers have been
able to modify former poultry houses. In areas where climates
are mild, a simple-designed structure may be more desirable.
However, keep in mind that the primary purpose of shelter
is to minimize stress from extreme environmental conditions
such as excessive precipitation, high or low temperatures,
strong wind, and direct sunlight. Shelters also function as
protection from predators, a nursery during kidding season,
and storage for other relevant items such as hay, feed, medicines,
and tools. |
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Herd sire inside a facility (tilt table
behind buck, creep feeder to left, and rain gutter feeder
bottom right). Courtesy of Sydne and Robert Spencer/Spencer's
Farm |
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Former poultry house converted into facility to house goats.
Note kidding pens on left. Courtesy of Alabama Cooperative Extension
System |
Structure materials may vary depending on the designer, facility
needs, and your budget. Many goat structures are made of wood,
metal, and plastic. These materials are readily accessible,
affordable, practical, and easy to maintain. For safety purposes,
glass and sharp metal corners should be avoided at all times.
Be cautious when considering compromising quality or needs.
Creativity and financial constraints should be the only limiting
factors.
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When designing housing, the
enclosure should allow a minimal amount of ventilation. Stagnate
air flow allows moisture to build up, while dusty conditions
cause respiratory problems or other airborne diseases. By
the same token, it is important to prevent excessive drafts,
particularly where newborns are housed since they are incapable
of generating sufficient body heat. |
Facility design should ensure
each structure is sturdy and easily maintained. Occasionally,
an overly aggressive animal will decide to test the sturdiness
of a structure and, out of boredom, begin to head-butt walls
and posts. This situation can also occur when two animals
decide to test each other for dominance and have an "encounter"
until one of them wins. Sometimes one animal will knock another
one into the wall and damage the structure. If a structure
is damaged, it should be repaired in a timely manner. In addition,
it's important to design a building that can be easily accessed
by equipment and workers with the intent of cleaning floor
space of manure and debris on a regular basis. |
| Adequate Space |
Another factor to consider
when designing goat facilities is the provision of adequate
space for a relevant number of animals. Adequate space is
important to minimize infighting among animals. While head-butting
is a common method of establishing dominance among goats,
infighting may result in blows to the abdomen or back of pregnant
does, resulting in injuries to the fetus, abortions, or miscarriages.
Other cases of fighting may result in various forms of injuries
or possibly broken legs. |
Allow for approximately 20
to 30 square feet per adult animal, less for younger animals.
This space will allow each animal to move about at leisure.
Confinement and overcrowding causes stress, and goats vent
their frustration by taking it out on one another or on structures
that causes damage to animals and housing structures. |
| Shelter Types |
Shelter types can vary by
purpose and designer; there are a large variety and types
of shelters-some prefabricated, some makeshift, some portable,
and some permanent. All must be essential and functional.
Not everyone has the financial resources to build a state-of-the-art
goat containment facility, nor is it necessary. The important
factors when designing a structure for housing is to keep
in mind that it must be practical, affordable, sturdy, and
suitable for each situation. Not everyone has the luxury of
a barn where they can herd in their goats together at night
or during inclement weather; so, improvisation may be the
best option. Keep in mind that no matter what type of shelter
is designed, adequate space within that shelter for the appropriate
number of animals is important. |
| Permanent barn with potential for additions and
modifications. Courtesy of Sydne and Robert Spencer/Spencer's
Farm |
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Pre-manufactured shelters
come in various forms; there are calf or goat hutches that
can be readily purchased. They come in various sizes from
small to large. The smaller ones have enough space to generally
house only a few goats. In essence, they function as portable
goat pens. Some larger hutches have the capacity to hold about
ten adult goats and come with side feeder doors, a top air
vent, a front feeder, a water holder, and other features.
Any of these hutches are convenient because a livestock panel
can be attached to one end to help contain the goats. |
Lengths of metal culvert
with sufficient height, such as those used in drainage ditches,
can be positioned to serve as housing. Little modifications
are necessary other than securing them in place. There are
other objects such as large commercial fertilizer or chemical
vats that can be converted into housing. Some modification
may be required such as inverting the container, cutting in
doors and windows (for ventilation), and installing lights.
While it is important that all these items are sanitized sufficiently
to ensure a healthy living environment, sometimes they can
be acquired for a nominal investment. |
Portable shelters should
always be considered a viable option, especially when a farm
utilizes small paddocks for rotational grazing that have the
capability to move from one location to another. This type
of structure may be built on skids to make it more convenient
to relocate. These shelters also vary in size depending upon
availability and ability of equipment to move structures as
needed. |
Permanent shelters are every
farmer's dream; however, budget constraints may place limitations
on those dreams. Temporary or make-shift structures are often
very practical in certain situations. With the right design,
they can be low cost to build, readily disassembled, and easily
moved and reassembled at another site. |
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Premanufactured goat hutch. Courtesy of Pat and Ken Motes/Clear
Creek Farm |
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Metal culvert modified into goat shelter. Courtesy of Pat
and Ken Motes/Clear Creek Farm |
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Fertilizer vat converted into goat shelter. Courtesy of
Alabama Cooperative Extension System |
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This structure is on skids and can be towed to another
site using a tractor. Courtesy of Sydne and Robert Spencer/Spencer's
Farm |
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A temporary structure can be disassembled and relocated with
minimal reassembly. Courtesy of Pat and Ken Motes/Clear Creek
Farm |
| Separate housing |
At times bucks, does, expectant
or new mothers, kids, or sick goats require separate housing.
Bucks may likely need separate paddocks and housing in order
to be kept away from does and doelings during off-breeding
season. Such areas and facilities should be situated at least
several hundred yards away from areas where does and doelings
are housed. Housing and fencing should be properly designed,
built, and maintained to contain bucks that tend to try to
escape. Experienced producers are well aware of the challenges
associated with containing an "eager" buck. |
Expectant mothers and new
mothers with kids will have special needs also. They have
unique nutritional requirements and need protection from aggressive
or annoying animals. Expectant nannies or mothers with newborns
may need a nursery area where then can have private space
to nurse without disruptions. New mothers need space to clean
and tend to their newborns without distractions. Mothers and
their newborns also need time to bond, and newborns and young
need to take in the first colostrum and milk on a regular
basis. |
Newborn kids may require
a location with a heat lamp during certain times of the year
in their first few days following birth. Make sure these areas
with heat lamps are safe from fire hazards. It is a good idea
to have a protected space where mobile kids can get away from
dominant adults and older kids. And it is always a good idea
to have a protected area for kids just learning to eat. This
is known as a creep feeder, where kids can access supplemental
hay and rations, allowing them to consume adequate nutrition
without competition or being bullied by older animals. |
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A mature buck this size may need a pen of his own when breeding
season is complete. Courtesy of Alabama Cooperative Extension
System |
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Homemade creep feeder. Courtesy of Sydne and Robert Spencer/
Spencer's Farm |
| Shelter Flooring |
Concrete, soil, and gravel
serve as suitable types of flooring, but function, needs,
and practicality will be the determining factors for each
situation. Slotted flooring and wood are impractical and unsanitary.
Concrete may be desirable and easy to clean with the proper
equipment, but the initial cost may be prohibitive. Concrete
flooring also requires slightly slopped flooring to allow
for drainage of urine and excess water. Soil and gravel-type
flooring are affordable, practical, and will generally facilitate
drainage (when built elevated above the surrounding area).
The only time a dirt or gravel flooring is not practical is
when the stocking rate of animals is excessive and adequate
drainage is not possible. Whether utilizing concrete, soil,
or gravel flooring, be sure to clean and remove manure and
debris and other waste using power equipment or manpower.
Choice of flooring will depend upon individual farm situation
and budget. |
| Equipment |
Feeders come in variety of
shapes, sizes, designs, and materials. Some are manufactured
and some are made at the farm site. Materials, affordability,
and ease of use are the primary considerations. Whatever feeder
is used, it's important that it is easy to maintain. There
are prefabricated bunk feeders and hay racks that can be purchased
from any commercial feed store or equipment vendor. Or, a
farmer may choose to construct his or her own feeder based
on needs and facilities. A feed trough or insert made with
plastic or PVC is generally practical and easy to clean. Never
use a feeder where the feed is contained in wood. Wood holds
bacteria, can transmit disease, and is not easy to sanitize. |
Water vessels come in metal,
plastic, or rubber; all are practical but require regular
cleaning for sanitation purposes. The size of the water vessel
will depend on the number of animals drinking from it. You
want the vessel to be accessible to goats but not where young
kids can climb into and drown because they are unable to escape.
Depending on the time of year and other farm concerns, cleaning
vessels on a regular basis is essential to provide clean water.
Remember, an adult goat can easily consume 4 gallons of water
a day, so an appropriate-sized water vessel is determined
by the number of animals drinking from it. An accessory such
as an automatic float valve attached to a running hose or
pipe will ensure an ever-present supply of water. After all,
water is one component of essential nutrition for any animal. |
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PVC pipe cut in half, held in place with wood, and attached
to a metal stand (plastic, wood, metal), affordable and practical.
Courtesy of Sydne and Robert Spencer/Spencer's Farm |
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Made on the farm, practical, affordable, and easy to clean.
Courtesy of Sydne and Robert Spencer/Spencer's Farm |
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Water tubs of various shapes and sizes. Courtesy of Sydne
and Robert Spencer/Spencer's Farm |
| Sanitation |
The ability to properly and
effectively sanitize facilities such as buildings, feeders,
water troughs, and hay racks is essential for herd health
and to minimize stress on the farmer. Utilization of water,
chlorine, and sunshine are generally a good combination to
maintain sanitary conditions. In extreme situations or conditions,
supplemental use of other chemicals may become necessary to
eliminate severe disease outbreaks. The ability to eliminate
mold, mildew, and funguses are an important aspect to ensure
healthy housing and equipment. Management styles and capabilities
will determine a suitable strategy. |
| Conclusion |
Goats can live, thrive, and
reproduce under a variety of conditions as long as they are
not extreme. Goats will tolerate moderate amounts of inclement
weather but have their limits and will seek shelter appropriate
to the weather conditions. Facility design and the ability
to maintain and clean these facilities greatly impacts herd
health. Ease of function, access, and use is important for
regular maintenance and sanitation practices. Therefore, it
is important to consider these factors when determining appropriate
facilities and equipment suitable for each situation. One
last word of advice: When designing a facility, it is wise
to exceed initial expectations to allow for future expansion
and to minimize stress on the farmer and goats. |
| References |
McKenzie-Jakes, A. (2007).
Getting started in the meat goat business: Establishing the
meat goat facility, Bulletin I, Vol. IV. Florida A&M University
CESTA. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
Schoenian, S. (2007). Housing, facilities,
and equipment for commercial meat goat production. Fact Sheet
817. Maryland Small Ruminant Page. Retrieved November 7, 2008.
Spahr, L. I. (2008, April 4). General overview
of meat goat production. Penn State Cooperative Extension.
Retrieved November 7, 2008. |
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