•Do you have predetor issues? A lot of people just use a regular ‘ol dog house for their goats. Some people don’t even lock their goats up at night but we live in a rural area with predators so we lock ours up (and they are like my children, so…. Goats do need some air circulating throughout the night. If your goats forage, then you may or may not need to give them hay 1-2 times a day. •Goats need basic housing to keep them dry (goats HATE to get wet) and to protect them from wind during the winter. The calcium/phosphorus ratio in a good goat diet needs to be 2:1. ). Goat Heat Signs (Video). Its safest to lock up your goats at night. They can fit through tiny holes, and jump onto and over the most unlikeliest things. What do goats commonly need for shelter? Adequate levels of calcium for lactating goats are necessary to … Goats should, however, have access to outside areas to roam which typically means creating a pasture area by installing fencing. I will give them little snacks throughout the day sometimes just because I like to hang out with my goats. You will need something that locks up securely. Do Goats Like to Be Milked? It is your choice. They are very good at self regulating their intake. My goats do not forage so I feed them all of their goodies one time per day. And if you prefer to read about it go here: How to Milk a goat (Post). Like any other domestic animal, goats need proper shelter so that they have a place to stay during the night and from harsh weather conditions such as storm and cold. Also, goats really are escape artists. Goats need constant access to a shelter to seek cover from the rain, snow, heat, wind, and any potential predators. Here’s what I found. All classes of goats need a diet of about 16% protein, which should include a good mix of energy and roughage. Permanent fencing is a long-term investment, so it pays to do some homework and make sure it’s done right the first time. Goats do not need dolomite lime or ferrous sulphate, and you should NEVER sprinkle minerals on their feed. Before you can milk a goat they need to go into heat, get bred, have kids and come into milk. Minerals should always be available free choice — that means they are in a feeder on the wall, and they can consume as much or as little as they want. What this video on my theory about goats and milking. Good fencing for goats is abundantly important so do not underestimate it. (Video). How do you construct a house? Overgrazing is the primary cause of parasitism in small ruminants, such as goats. You'd be amazed at what selling animals or putting them in dry lot will do for your parasite control program. You can give them their grains in one setting or two. In the short term, you need to deworm parasitized animals, but in the long run, you need to find other ways to keep the system from getting out of balance. Most goats will get enough shelter from a hoop house, but in more extreme conditions a 3-sided shelter, shed, or barn will provide better protection. I have the yard goat proofed now but we had a few surprise visits in the garden before I realized what they were capable of doing. Coyotes, bear and fox can all be predators of goats, but the #1 killer of goats is roaming dogs. What Do Goats Need? Well, here is what you need to know about goat barn essentials: A three-sided building is often good to keep them sheltered. In addition, goats need the following: Calcium: Major functions include blood clotting, membrane permeability, muscle contraction, nerve function, cardiovascular functions, and enzyme activity. Goat Proofing Your Yard. Dwarf goats need a minimum of 10 feet of indoor space each. Know what’s in the feed and roughage you are feeding your goats. But here is the catch.