Meat Goat Structures
Shaun Jackson, UT Extension
Agent
Structure Considerations
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A design for a barn or other structure
can be easily changed on paper. It is
much more difficult and costly to
change after construction has begun.
The needs of the producers as well as
the needs of the animals need to be
taken into account.
Structure Considerations
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Do you want your goats near your
home or would you prefer to keep them
at a distance?
How much money can you afford to
spend for shelter?
Will the proposed shelter provide
adequate protection for your goats?
Structure Considerations
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Are there structures already on the farm
that could be converted into goat
barns?
How much time is required?
Can I live with the proposed structure?
Do you need structures?
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Do you really need structures all of the
time?
Total confinement of goats is NOT
recommended. Shelters are only for
goats to escape heat, rain, snow, etc.
not a place for them to live.
Do you need structures?
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Goats are adaptive, meaning that they
can quickly adapt to a variety of
environmental conditions.
In areas where there is dense plant
cover and during warmer weather it
may not be necessary to provide
manmade shelter.
Climate Considerations
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In areas where extreme weather
conditions are possible, shelter should
be provided.
This is also influenced by the season.
Shelter is more important during the
winter months.
Three Types of Shelter
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Natural
Permanent/Stationary
Movable
Barns
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Construction of a barn is the most
expensive and time consuming method
of providing shelter.
Before beginning construction of any
permanent structure, check with local
government officials regarding zoning
and building regulations.
Permanent Structure
Questions
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Which direction do the prevailing winds
blow? The wind can carry odors to
unintended areas and may cause
damage if the largest wall is directly
facing the wind. Proper orientation can
help alleviate this problem.
Permanent Structure
Questions Continued
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How well drained is the soil on the proposed
site? Poor drainage can lead to flooding
problems. Another problem that may arise
from excess water near shelters is foot
problems in goats. Excessive moisture
encourages bacterial growth and causes
goats’ hooves to become soft. This
combination can be disastrous, especially if
ailments such as foot rot have been present
in the herd.
Permanent Structure
Questions Continued
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Is the proposed site on a steep slope,
or at the bottom or top of a hill? Barns
located at the bottom of hills or on a
slope are subject to problems with
water runoff during heavy rains.
Permanent Structure
Questions Continued
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How close is the proposed site to trees,
power lines, homes, or other buildings?
Will the buildings be arranged in such a
way as to provide easy access to goats,
equipment, and humans? Should
extreme weather or a fire occur,
building arrangement and proximity
become important factors to minimizing
damage.
Permanent Structure
Questions Continued
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Will the proposed site allow for future expansion?
Is there a road or driveway that provides access to
the proposed site? A solid roadbed is recommended
for equipment and other vehicles. In areas without a
roadbed, equipment tends to sink into the ground
during wet weather causing the equipment to “get
stuck” as well as contributing to soil erosion. This will
make things easier during the building process and
once the barn is in operation when transporting
materials and animals and when removal of manure
is necessary.
Permanent Structure
Questions Continued
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Does the proposed site have access to
water, utilities, and other services?
Barn Building Plans
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UT Extension has many building plans
available. Plans may be obtained
through your local County Extension
Office.
To hire a contractor or not…
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If a contractor is hired to build a structure the
cost increases greatly.
However, if construction is not one of your
strong points this may be a viable option.
Many contractors guarantee their work and
can accomplish the construction in a fraction
of the time.
Keep costs in mind!
Moveable Shelters
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Moveable shelters are important when
rotational grazing and little natural
shelter is present.
It is both expensive and impractical to
build a barn in every paddock or
pasture.
Portable Wooden Structures
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Small wooden structures may be placed on
wheels or skids.
This allows for easy transport with a tractor.
May also be constructed as a stationary
shelter
The front should be left open for easy access.
Provide 5 to 10 Square feet per mature goat.
Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Farms
Hoop Structures
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Also known as “Cattle Panel” or “Livestock Panel”
buildings.
Very inexpensive and easily moved.
May be disassembled and used for corrals etc.
Livestock panels are arched into a Quonset shape
and held in place with “T” posts. The structure is
then covered with a tarp or other weatherproof
covering. A minimum of 2-3 panels should be used
per hoop structure.
Provide a 3 panel hoop structure for every 10-15
goats.
Hoop Structures
Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Farms
A Note About Materials
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If you have or are seeking organic
certification, please note that some types of
treated wood will NOT pass inspection.
Double check regulations before purchasing.
Wood tends to harbor disease and is difficult
to disinfect. This can lead to poisoning if
treated materials are used and goats become
bored and chew on the wood. If this is a
concern, consider metal or plastic materials.
Structures Summary
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Structures may be necessary when natural
cover is not present or when severe weather
is likely.
Cost, location, and personal preferences are
all important considerations for determining
what type of structures you need.
Make sure you and your goats can live with
the shelters you choose.
Meat Goat Equipment
Shaun Jackson, UT Extension
Agent
Equipment
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In this section, equipment is considered
to be feeders, waterers, and working
facilities.
Mineral, Grain, & Hay Feeders
Mineral, Grain, & Hay Feeders
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Feed is the largest cost in livestock
operations
Feeders that minimize waste are
strongly preferred
The best feed in the world becomes
barnyard litter once it touches the
ground.
Feeder Considerations:
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Will my goats waste feed with this
feeder? Carefully examine the design. If
a goat grasps feed or mineral from the
feeder, will the excess fall to the
ground?
Feeder Considerations:
Questions to Ask Yourself
Is this a good
feeder for
goats?
Feeder Considerations:
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Will all of my goats have easy access to
the feed or mineral? If feeders are too
crowded, the more aggressive goats will
get most of the feed, while the more
timid or weaker one may be left out.
Providing plenty of feeding space helps
to reduce this problem.
Feeder Considerations:
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Will my goats damage the feeder?
Feeders should be constructed of sturdy
materials. Bored goats tend to want to
“play” with objects in their pasture or
paddock. Be sure your feeders are
strong enough to handle a goat attack.
Feeder Considerations:
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Can my goats get on top of the feeder?
If they can they are likely to cause
damage to the feeder or injure
themselves. Also, if they can get into
the hay feeder for instance they will
tend to use their feed as bedding,
which leads to increased waste.
Feeder Considerations:
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Is the feeder easy to clean and
disinfect? As previously stated,
sanitation is an important measure to
control the spread of disease.
Remember metal and plastic is easier to
clean than wood.
Feeder Considerations:
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Can the feeder be used by the goats? Is
it too restrictive (i.e. cannot get their
head through an opening) or is the feed
going to be too far for them to reach?
Remember if your goats cannot actually
eat their feed or mineral, it does them
no good. This can be a major problem if
your goats have very large horns.
Feeder Considerations:
Questions to Ask Yourself
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Can the feeder be easily moved? In
rotational browsing systems where
goats are moved often, this is an
important consideration. The easier the
feeders can be moved the better.
Photo courtesy of Bonnie Blue Farm
Water Delivery
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Water is the most important nutrient to
goats
Two main types: Automatic and nonautomatic.
Automatic Water Delivery
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Water is delivered to goats with minimal
manual effort
Goats have a constant supply of fresh
water
Risk of water line breakage
Higher cost in the short run
Non-Automatic Water Delivery
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Water is physically delivered to goats
Lower cost in the short run; potential
higher cost in the long run
Goat could run out of water if the
producer forgets to fill the tank
Higher cost in the long run
Watering Resources
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UT Extension has two excellent
publications on livestock watering
systems; “Solar Powered Livestock
Watering Systems” (PB 1640) and
“Alternative Livestock Watering
Systems” (PB 1641). Both may be
obtained at your local UT Extension
Office
Working Equipment
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Corrals and working facilities are
needed for performing functions such
as treating sick animals, vaccinations,
hoof trimming, catching, weighing and
loading
Working Equipment
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Corrals and sides should be a minimum
of 4 feet tall
Key components include holding pen,
chute, footbath, headgate, and loading
ramp
Should also include and area for
handlers to disinfect themselves before
and after working goats
Working Equipment
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While most of the equipment mentioned in
this section can be built, there are some
companies that specialize in goat handling
equipment. As a general rule, purchased
equipment is much more expensive than
handmade equipment. However, purchased
equipment is usually of high quality
construction and easier to move and may pay
for itself in the long run
Equipment Summary
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Feeders should be provide easy access
to feed while minimizing waste
Fresh water should be provided at all
times with automatic or non-automatic
waterers
Working facilities are important
management tools