Fainting Goat Guild | FGG Goat Husbandry

Goat Husbandry - Shelter

Goats need protection from the wind, rain, snow, and sun.

Examples of shelters include:

Enclosed & 4 sided:	Barn with Awning Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch	Barn w/2 doors Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch	Horse Trailer Courtesy of Bottom-Up-Ranch	4-sided Shelter Courtesy of Faint-Hearted Ranch	4-sided Shelter Courtesy of Faint-Hearted Ranch
1, 2 & 3 sided:	A-Frame Courtesy of Take Heart Farm Directions available	Awning Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch	Converted Horse Shelter Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch	3-Sided Wooden Box Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch	Quonset Hut Courtesy of Ahart Acres Directions available
1, 2 & 3 sided:	3-Sided w/birthing pens Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch	2-Sided Shelter Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch
Other neat shelters:	Water Tank Courtesy of Ancient Valley Ranch	Plastic Bucket Courtesy of Ancient Valley Ranch	250 gal Liquid Tote Courtesy of Blue Bird Acres	Tarps on a cage Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch	Igloo (Dogloo) Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch
	Top of a Windmill Courtesy of Ancient Valley Ranch	Plastic Hut Courtesy of Morgan Hill Farm	Dog House Courtesy of Morgan Hill Farm	Shipping Crates & More Courtesy of Triple-T Ranch	Plastic Hut Courtesy of Morgan Hill Farm
	Hog Feeder Courtesy of Jill Wallace

TYPES OF BEDDING

Hay or Straw

Hay or straw is commonly used and fairly inexpensive compared to other types of bedding.
It is not very absorbant; so it should be changed frequently or used over a ground cover that will drain well such gravel and clay.
Straw is not as biodegradable as wood shavings; therefore, many fairgrounds no longer allow its use.

Clay and Gravel

Clay and gravel make a very nice bedding floor.
To make such a floor, first put a layer of gravel down and then put a thick layer of clay over the top.
Hay or straw can then be used as a dressing.
Urine and other moisture will pass through the clay and down to the gravel.

Wood Shavings or Sawdust

Wood shavings and sawdust may be used as bedding.
It should be used in depths of 2.75 to 4 inches.
The dirty portion of the shavings can be raked to remove feces.
When the bedding begins smelling of ammonia, it should be removed and replaced with fresh shavings.

Wood Pellets

Many people use wood pellets for bedding.
Choose pellets that have been manufactured specifically for animal bedding.
If you are going to use wood stove pellets then research them carefully as some manufactures use black walnut and butternut material, and some brands have more dust then others also. Do some research first, and when in doubt, stick with those specifically for animal bedding.

Paper Shavings

Paper Shavings Animal Bedding was originally created
almost 20 years ago as an alternative bedding for horses
It was found to be suitable for almost all livestock.
2 times more absorbent than straw, 4 to 6 times more absorbent than most wood shavings. Absorbs from the bottom up, top stays dry.
Non toxic; paper contains only vegetable oil based ink.
Bedding clumps when wet making it easy to pick up and remove soiled bedding.
Picture and description courtesy of Resourceful Paper Inc.

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