Goats are very adaptive animals and do not require fancy or expensive housing. They need protection from the basic elements. When it rains or snows, they will seek shelter. Goats can tolerate cold weather, but should not remain cold and wet for long periods of time. During the summer months, it is important to provide a shady area with adequate air circulation and to control flies.

Natural shade and windbreaks will protect goats during much of the year. The primary need for housing is during kidding, especially if kidding occurs during cold weather. A dry, draft free area is needed. Does can kid in large community pens. Some producers use kidding pens to separate does and their litters. Kidding pens should be approximately 4 ft. x 5 ft.; one pen is needed for every 10 does in the herd. In mild weather, it may not be necessary to separate does; does can kid on a clean, well-rested pasture.

Oftentimes, existing buildings can be utilized to house goats, store hay and equipment. Producers can make almost any housing system work. Confinement housing, which can be completely enclosed as needed, is popular in cold climates and for human comfort and convenience. Confinement housing allows close supervision of animals, but is more expensive than most other types of housing. Goats in confinement require 20 square feet of space, plus an additional 30 square feet for exercise, if pasture is not available.

Three-sided or open-sided shelters are suitable in most situations. The open side should face away from prevailing winds, the roof should be sloped to repel rain, and there should be adequate drainage around the building. Goats require 10 to 15 square feet of space in open housing. Buck housing can be simple, but must be strong. Taller, sturdier fences are needed to keep bucks away from does in heat.

Movable sheds, polydomes, calf hutches, quonset huts, and straw buildings can be used to shelter small numbers of animals. Hoop or greenhouse structures offer an alternative to traditional livestock housing. In these structures, semi-circular tubular steel provides structural support to a covering of either polyethylene or fabric. The appeal of hoop structures is the lower cost of materials and construction.

Dirt or stone floors are preferred to concrete. Pens should be bedded with 3 to 4 inches of straw or other absorbent material (poor quality hay, wood shavings, sawdust, shredded newspaper, peanut hulls, or sand), 5 to 6 inches if the floor is concrete. In the winter, the manure pack should be allowed to build up, as the decomposing layers provide a source of heat. Buildings with expanded metal floors have been used successfully to feed goats. Less space is generally required per animal.

Goat housing should be designed with manure handling in mind. Unprotected piles of manure should not be stored in places where runoff may occur. It may be advisable to cover manure piles with tarps. Composting animal waste reduces odors and fly problems. Composted manure is an excellent soil amendment. Keeping animals outside in their natural environment will greatly reduce manure handling requirements.

Ventilation is an important aspect of animal housing, particularly closed housing. Poor ventilation can be detrimental to animal health and performance. Harmful gases and dust can cause respiratory problems, while temperature extremes can reduce animal and human productivity.

The purpose of ventilation is to provide the desired amount of fresh air, without drafts, to all parts of the shelter; to maintain temperatures within desired limits; to maintain relative humidity within desired limits; and to maintain ammonia levels below specified levels.

Ventilation can be natural (cold housing) or mechanical (warm housing). Natural ventilation systems move air through adjustable and fixed openings, such as vents, windows and doors. Mechanical ventilation systems incorporate fans, controls, and air inlets and/or outlets.

Source: University of Maryland