How much room does a goat need?

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-23-2008, 01:02 PM

Indoors and out. I would think they spend the night and winter in some sort of pen, how big would that need to be?

Outside, if you were letting a yard grow wild for grazing in, how large would it need to be to sustain two goats (assuming they would graze summers and be given feed during the winter). I guess my question is more how much land will a goat clear in a day?

Not that I'm getting land or a goat anytime soon, just want my daydreams to be accurate.

**Greebo** · 06-23-2008, 01:12 PM

Two things.

1) To Mrs. Greebo (you know who you are): NO!!!
2) Check local ordinances. Depending on your zoning, owning of "livestock" may be completely prohibited.

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-23-2008, 01:21 PM

1) I'm 100% certain that I am not Mrs. Greebo, although Mr. Monkeywrangler may have the same initial response.
2) This won't be on my current property, which isn't big enough for a rabbit let alone a goat. I know zoning is not an issue where I want to go.

**Greebo** · 06-23-2008, 01:23 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

1) I'm 100% certain that I am not Mrs. Greebo, although Mr. Monkeywrangler may have the same initial response.

I'm 100% certain that I'm neither confirming nor denying this until Mrs. Greebo gives me permission to do so. However, presuming that Mr. Monkeywrangler and I aren't the same person, I'm with him!

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-23-2008, 02:59 PM

Thank you for the book recommendation, I added it to my wishlist at Chapters-Indigo, I'll order it when I have enough in my cart for free shipping. I won a gift card months ago and have been waiting for something useful to spend it on.

It will likely be at least 3 years before I need to know any specifics. But while we're home next week, I thought I might start some preliminary scouting for property, just wasn't sure what my minimum requirements would be.

**Russ** · 06-23-2008, 03:07 PM

[QUOTE=Greebo;933821]
1) To Mrs. Greebo (you know who you are): NO!!!

I would say the exact same thing to my wife if she was a member here.

**scottVee** · 06-23-2008, 03:10 PM

Goats are able to deal with a wide range of situations. In fact, they used to be kept on board tall ships -- just a little pen belowdecks, and free to roam the top deck a few hours a day. I don't have exact grazing figures, but I imagine two goats could keep anything less than two acres stripped pretty clean. You'd want some fast-growing fodder grass for sure.

**Greebo** · 06-23-2008, 03:10 PM

[QUOTE=rcannon;933957]

Originally Posted by Greebo

1) To Mrs. Greebo (you know who you are): NO!!!

I would say the exact same thing to my wife if she was a member here.

I told you, this month is YOUR turn to be the wife. Next month is my turn!

**monkeywrangler71** · 06-23-2008, 03:25 PM

[QUOTE=rcannon;933957]

Originally Posted by Greebo

1) To Mrs. Greebo (you know who you are): NO!!!

I would say the exact same thing to my wife if she was a member here.

I'm guessing milk isn't $7 a gallon where you guys live?

**shortstack** · 06-23-2008, 03:28 PM

There was a video posted on here a while back talking about homesteading on less then an acre of land. These people were in CA. Seems to me they had 3 or 4 goats in a pen on the side of their house. They fed them all of their leftover greenery they grew and they called them their "composters".
Seems to me if you had fast growing plants that they wouldn't need much space at all. Goat owners am I right?

Andrea

**shortstack** · 06-23-2008, 03:34 PM

Here is a whole bunch of goat info: http://www.trestlecreekfarm.com/faq.htm

I had no idea they needed shots and to be wormed like a dog.

Andrea

**bridge** · 06-23-2008, 03:36 PM

I'm not sure but this might be the sight the above poster mentioned. http://www.pathtofreedom.com/ It is one of my favorite sites.

I would love to have goats someday!!

**Gabe** · 06-23-2008, 03:39 PM

Here is the video I think

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekVAmWxbnqE[/YOUTUBE]

**Russ** · 06-24-2008, 07:18 AM

[QUOTE=monkeywrangler71;933990]

Originally Posted by rcannon

I'm guessing milk isn't $7 a gallon where you guys live?

no, as a matter of fact I seen the Rite Aid sign this morning saying 2% was $2.89 gallon from a local producer.

**cmdarlin** · 06-24-2008, 08:24 AM

DH and I have 7 goats right now on less than an acre and they still have plenty of pasture. We've had them for almost a year. Of course their spoiled too as they get hay and a little feed too. (I keep telling him the pasture and hay should be enough but they cry and he feeds!) I love our goats. We have a billy, 3 does and 3 kids right now. Gonna kill me to get rid of them if we have to move.

Debbie in Missouri