Interactive lesson

Goat housing and fencing, step by step

Interactive lesson: where to put the shed, space per goat, building, deep litter, hay racks and water, stock fencing and electric fencing.

Free sample Chapters 1 and 2 (8 steps) are free. The full lesson comes with the Housing and fencing module. Already bought? Unlock

This lesson is general guidance, not professional training. Local regulations and expert advice always take precedence. Read our disclaimer.

The whole lesson as text

1. Where to put the shed

Before you buy a single board, walk the land and choose the site.

Dry and well drained — A gentle rise is best. Never in a hollow where water and cold air collect.
Facing south — Shed and run facing south or south-east, with the open side sheltered from the prevailing wind and driving rain.
Water nearby — A goat drinks 6 L a day, a milker in summer 10–15 L. Carrying buckets in winter soon gets old.
House close, well far — Close to the house for milking and keeping an eye on things. Manure and urine must not run towards a well or spring.

Why: A goat can take the cold, but not rain, mud and draughts. A wet coat and mud make her ill quickly. So the shed doesn't have to be warm or expensive, but it has to be dry.

Many smallholders keep goats in converted old buildings: stables, cow byres, field shelters. That works well if the roof is sound, the floor is dry and there is enough light.
Before you build, ask what you can put up without permission and how far it must be from neighbours, roads and wells: in the UK and Ireland your local council's planning department, in the US your county or town zoning office.

2. Measurements and layout

The example is a shed with internal measurements of 6 × 4 m (about 20 × 13 ft) for 4–5 goats and a buck.

Space per goat — An adult goat needs 1.5–2 m² (16–22 sq ft) indoors. Saanen and Boer closer to 2 m². The goat pen in the example is 4 × 3 m.
A separate buck pen — A buck needs 3–4 m², with a solid partition of 1.5–1.8 m (5–6 ft). Behind a 1.2 m partition he jumps in with the does.
Kidding pen — One per 4–5 does, 1.5 × 1.5 m to 2 × 2 m. Hurdles go up 2 weeks before kidding.
Passage and door — A 6 × 1 m passage gives access to the hay racks. The door 1–1.2 m wide and 2 m high, so a manure barrow gets through.

Why: Goats without enough room push each other around, and the weaker one goes without food and a dry bed. Your shed will be different, but the layout stays the same.

Plan the shed for twice as many goats as you are buying. Space you don't use will serve for hay, kids or quarantine.
Make the shed at least 2.2–2.5 m high. Higher is better for air.