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Housing
by
Lydia
Hale
Many
books
and
articles
have
been
written
about
housing
for
dairy
goats,
but
there
is
little
material
available
that
pertains
specifically
to
Pygmy
goats.
Much
of
the
available
information
about
dairy
goats
is
varied
[.
.
.]
but
all
the
authors
are
in
agreement
on
two
essential
requirements;
shelter
from
wind,
rain
and
snow;
and
freedom
from
stress.
Pygmy
goats
are
no
exception
in
their
needs
for
these
two
things.
In
my
recent
travels
to
various
parts
of
the
country,
it
was
interesting
to
see
how
very
differently
herds
of
Pygmies
are
managed.
[.
.
.]
Breeders
in
the
southern
sections
of
the
United
States
need
to
provide
only
very
basic
shed
type
structures
[.
.
.]
while
in
the
northern
areas,
it
is
an
entirely
different
matter.
Substantial
barns
are
a
matter
of
course
to
provide
protection
from
wind,
rain,
snow,
and
severe
cold
for
not
only
the
goats,
but
also
their
owners
who
appreciate
some
comfort
while
doing
the
daily
chores.
In
planning
a
barn
for
Pygmy
goats,
ease
of
cleaning
and
finances
may
determine
just
what
structure
is
feasible.
No
matter
how
simple
the
housing
is
to
be,
it
should
be
large
enough
to
accommodate
the
herd
without
crowding
(allowing
approximately
15
to
20
square
feet
per
animal),
and
it
should
also
be
draft
free
[.
.
.].
Pygmies
love
niches
to
which
to
jump
and
sleep.
Ours
are
constructed
against
the
walls
of
the
stalls
about
two
feet
up
off
the
floor,
and
the
area
underneath
is
a
perfect
haven
for
young
kids
if
the
older
goats
get
restless
and
rough
in
their
play.
Built-in
hay
mangers
keep
the
hay
up
off
the
floor
and
cut
down,
somewhat,
on
the
amount
of
hay
wasted
–
a
problem
that
seems
universal
with
goats.
So
much
for
the
mistaken
idea
that
goats
will
eat
everything!
They
are
by
far
the
finickiest
eaters
of
all
animals.
Once
the
hay
has
dropped
on
the
ground
it
becomes
“bedding”
fit
only
to
play
or
lie
in
[.
.
.].
Drinking
water,
fresh
and
clean,
is
essential
to
all
goats
and
they
should
be
encouraged
to
drink
as
much
as
possible.
Several
years
ago,
Bob
gave
me
the
nicest
Christmas
present
ever
–
a
hot
water
heater
for
the
barn.
Now
we
can
easily
provide
warm
water
all
winter,
and
how
they
love
it!
The
flooring
in
the
goat
stalls
can
be
of
wood,
concrete
or,
best
yet,
clay.
The
wood
will
hold
the
odor
of
urine
and
will
rot
out
eventually.
Cement,
although
easy
to
keep
clean,
is
cold
and
damp.
We
have
found
that
a
thick
layer
of
clay
on
top
of
a
gravel
base
is
perfect
for
goats.
It
packs
down
into
a
hard
surface
which
can
be
swept
out
when
the
stalls
are
cleaned;
it
holds
no
odor,
and
a
new
layer
of
clay
can
be
applied
every
two
years
or
so
to
freshen
it
up.
Any
moisture
soaks
through
the
deep
bedding
and
on
down
to
the
gravel
base.
We
have
no
problems
with
too
much
moisture
in
the
air
even
when
the
barn
is
closed
completely
in
mid
winter.
Warm,
moist
air
can
cause
respiratory
problems
and
lead
to
serious
illness.
Good
ventilation
and
fresh
air
are
a
must
for
goats.
Exercise
yards,
grazing
areas
and/or
paddocks
surrounded
by
good
fencing
are
best
located
adjacent
to
the
sheds
of
barns
where
the
goats
can
have
access
to
their
stalls
and
come
and
go
at
will.
[.
.
.]
Good
secure
fencing
is
a
worthwhile
investment.
It
not
only
keeps
the
herd
where
it
should
be,
but
also
protects
from
outside
predators
[.
.
.].
Excerpts
from:
Hale,
Lydia,
and
Ellen
Kritzman,
eds.
Pygmy
Goats:
Best
of
Memo
(1976-1981)
National
Pygmy
Goat
Association:
pp
22-23
This
document
is
for
informational
purposes
only
and
is
in
no
way
intended
to
be
a
substitute
for
medical
consultation
with
a
qualified
veterinary
professional.
The
information
provided
through
this
document
is
not
meant
to
be
used
in
the
diagnosis
or
treatment
of
a
health
problem
or
disease,
nor
should
it
be
construed
as
such.
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