newbie start up questions

I own boers and a dog kennel defiantly won't be warm enough in the winter. Do you have a barn? Can you make pens?

 

Ya I know ppl in our area who only have dog houses for shelter.. But I feel bad for them on those cold cold winter nights.. It would be best if you could get a small shed or something you could close them up in at night.. It needs to be draft free.. In my opinion..
Not sure on cost on everything??
But I'll guesstimate..
Kennel-$200
Shelter$100-$200 or more
Goats- mine were cheap $50 a piece but the are not registered.. They can be pricie..
Feed for 2-$60 or less a month


TheRockinFunFarm

 

What about a hoop house with straw bales as walls in winter would that be warm enough I wonder? Or pallet
Better than kennel and far cheaper

 

Ok I can not seem to get link right but search hoop house on this site it would work great for u I think and join 4h now the leaders and members can help u a great deal .... There is probably someone who would let u use one of there does for show so u can get the feel of it ....
These animals are a lot of work and potentially a lot of money ie health care feed vet bill etc... Just food for thought. And u need at least 2 . Goats are a lot more delicate than most people realize. But are awsome pets, friends, confidants, and livestock! Good luck and do your research!

 

Nigerian dwarf

 

Taking them to the fair will expose them to disease and stress. You need some basic meds on hand before you bring your new goats home. Most of the meds you will need are not overly expensive but it will add up pretty quick.
Goats have two codes: 1) Never deliver a baby when it is convenient 2) get sick only when the vet is closed and TSC is closed
I would not go with out
Fortified Vit B
CD Antitoxin
molasses or red cell
pepto bismol
thermometer
syringes and needles
LA 200
Banamine
I am sure there is more but those are my go to during this time of year with kidding going on

 

Long term goats are more expensive than ducks. That shed will work for shelter, but you'll need to be able to cover at least half of that opening for the winter when they're allowed "free-time" to go in/out as they choose. Hay gets expensive, even for a pair of goats, especially if you're on a budget. I really strongly urge you to sit down and do some financing with numbers in front of you.

Goats:
Hay (increase intake in winter)
Bedding (straw/shavings)
Fencing
Special feed
Medications (wormers, antitoxin, pneumonia are all quite pricey in the case you need them, can you get them??)
Vet bills
Breedings
Registration (required for many shows)
Animal cost + proper testing
Shelter
Gas if traveling to do cares
Extra supplies (combs, brushes, feeder, pails, milk stand, hoses, clippers, hoof trimmers, blankets for dire cold, kidding supplies if needed, everything you need to go with them)
Electricity if heating

Ducks:
Shelter
Fencing
Bedding for seasonal nests, floor covering in winter
Pool for summer
Feed
Grit
Animal cost
Electricity if heating

Explore your options and be thorough. Know what you're buying. Don't buy the first thing that pops up. The worst feeling is to have a sick animal with no money to help heal them. Pay for testing (CAE, Johne's even if Wethers). Decide if you will be making profit off your animals or if they are simply a hobby/friend.

 

You should be able to get the goats and get then all set up easily with $1000.. Then after that you can figure $75-$100 a month.. Depending on their health, and weather.. Because they do munch down some hay in the winter.. But mine have enough greens in summer I hardly even but hay.. And two pygmy will get 2cups grain daily, and loose minerals.. Both are cheap.. Good luck, you will have fun with the goats!! I love mine.


TheRockinFunFarm

 

We use PLASTIC sheds like that one...the plastic snap together ones are naturally somewhat insulated as their walls have an air layer in between. The floors are easy to clean. Our nigerians have been in several of these for 4 years now with no problems. we use t posts (one inside the door and one outside) to "lock the door about 10" open all the time and can close off the top half of the opening with pine boughs over a tarp when its really cold. I LOVE my plastic sheds. I find them on Craigslist every now and then used for under $200...there was one in Richmond indiana, near cincinnati not too long ago... Calf huts may be another option...but YOU can stand inside the plastic shed... We are in Indiana...similar climate.

Dogloos or houses INSIDE the shed then give them even warmer snuggly huts and double as climbers and loungers...

 

One was outback innovatons...one they dont make anymore. I just search craigslist for resim shed...plastic shed...outdoor storage...rubbermaid....and suncast until i find one...

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Resin that is

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