How much space do goats need? Learn all about the space requirement for goats and how much room you really need to raise goats.
When we brought our first goats home, we lived on a 1.5 acre lot in a subdivision. We had a fenced back yard that was maybe 1/4 acre and that was further divided into yards for goats, chickens, and dogs.
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Eventually we opened up the entire fenced area as a communal living area where our 4 dogs, 5 goats, and 25+ chickens lived together happily.
All that to say, you really don’t need that much space to raise goats. But let’s take a look at how much space you need in terms of goat yard and barns.
The basic space requirements for goats are actually pretty small. They need shelter from wind, rain, and other extreme weather. They need access to fresh forage, hay, and fresh water daily. They need enough room to get exercise.
Most important of all, they need a friend. Do not get just one goat. Ever. They will be sad, depressed, and unhealthy and probably quite loud as they call out for some company.
So remember when you are planning your pastures and barns, that you need to have room for at least 2 goats. But I always recommend planning for more than you think you might ever possibly need.
So how much space do you really need for your goats?
How Much Space Do Goats Need?
Related Reading: How to Raise Goats on a Small Lot
Housing and Shelter Requirements for Goats:
It is often said that a goat needs a bare minimum of about 20 sq. ft. of indoor space. That is a good general estimate, especially if you have a lot of rain or snow that would keep the goats under roof for long periods of time.
If you have a nice sized outdoor area for your goats and weather allows them to be out and roaming a lot, then you can probably get by with a smaller shelter.
We have a couple 10×10 shelters in one pasture, for about 10 goats. They never split up- they all pile into one shelter- when it rains, to sleep, to keep warm. And actually they tend to pile in the smaller shelter. But they do have the option of more space if they choose to take it.
Also remember that some of the space in your barn will be taken up with other things. Things like:
- Hay feeders
- Kidding Stalls
- Storage (though, unless it’s in a secure area, I don’t recommend keeping feed and such here)
- Mineral and baking soda feeders
If you are new to goats, I recommend reading up as much as you can before you purchase. You can find a lot of articles here on The Free Range Life that will teach you about goat care and be sure to check out The Busy Homesteader’s Goat Management Binder– it’s full of to-do lists, checklists, record keeping sheets, and resource pages that will get your new goat herd off to a great start!
Pasture Space Requirements for Goats:
There is a lot of gray area when it comes to how much outdoor space goats need. They can survive on a small run, living mostly on hay and grain, but it’s not the best quality of life for them.
A bare minimum for a goat would be about 200 sq. ft (so remember you need to at least double that for 2 goats!)
If you are keeping your goats in a small yard, then you need to provide hay 24/7.
Back in our urban farm, the goats kept the grass trimmed. We provided hay daily. We also had leashes that we tied them out on when we were outside, so they ate down weeds around our property that wasn’t fenced, getting more forage and nutrition that way.
You might want to consider training your goats to lead so that they can get the exercise they need outside their small run.
Feed costs will also be lower if you give them more forage and are less dependent on hay.
The bottom line: The more space you can give them to roam, the more happy and healthy they will be.
Related Reading: The Ultimate Guide to Building Your Goat Pen
You can see examples of our shelters- mostly made from pallets- here: How to Make a Pallet Barn and How to Make a Quick Shelter from Pallets
it is very interesting, i plan to engage in this business as soon as possible.
If you free range your goats, you have to expect damage to your vehicles and house, forget landscaping. Anything you want protected from them must be fenced in. Fencing in your, car , garden and whatever else you want . They will eat the paint right off your house. We have 9 goats now, and have problems with the mature buck intimidating the rest of the herd ,our guardian dog and us . We have no control over breeding. All our visitors vehicles are at risk of being damaged. The yard is a mess of goat poop. And when it rains they all crowd under or on the side porch, making a mess of the porch.
We love them, but this relationship would not be so strained if we had them fenced in. So we are working on that now.
All these problems don’t seem so bad with 2 goats, but as your herd grows so do the effects of free ranging.
They have acres to browse, but only do so with one of us accompanying them. Free ranging is romantic ,but not the reality.
Good day I have interest in goat rearing I want to do 200 goats can some one help me our to star
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That’s sort of sweet, that they want to hang around with their humans… Plus at least you don’t have to waste hours looking for lost goats. 😁
Yeah … that’s why we only have does and wethers – the does will get to go on “dates” off-site when old enough.
Is a goat house also called a pen/loafing shed?
If l wanted to start with 20 goats what free range space is needed?
That’s 4,000sq.ft
Dear Patty, Around here, we call that Horny Goat Jerky.
I like in city and have ano open area on my roof top I want to raise some goats it’s about 20 in to 30 feet open area outbreak with a 10 in to 15 feet roomis it possible
My neighbor has 13 goat. 3 of them are males and they are kept separated from the females by a fence. The 3 males have small calf huts to sleep in or for protection from the cold. The females have no shelter except for tarps which are hung over them from tree branches. (The males are also covered by the tarps.) They have no indoor shelter such as a barn or even a shed. They are fed hay 2 times a day and grain (not sure if this is once or twice or if it is even every day. )The hay that is on the ground has not been cleaned in at least a year that I know of and it could possibly be longer. They are in a very small area and I mean really small. I feel really bad for them especially with the cold weather. Is there laws that require them to have proper shelter. And what about all that dirty hay that they have to walk around on or lay in. Looking for advice. Thank you.
Yes there is a law it’s called the animal welfare requirements which include a suitable environment, suitable diet, to be housed with other animals or alone, protection from pain, suffering and disease and to be able to exhibit natural behaviours and if these are not followed this means they are breaking the legalisation. So I would speak to someone if u was you to explain the situation to see if you could help them goats to be housed in a better environment.
I have two areas for goats or sheep a square section 150 ft square and a triangle area 140 ft by 138 ft by 175 ft. I’m going to build a greenhouse 20 ft wide by 35-40 ft in length lean too attached to the south side of my 50 feet long garage 10 feet high side
Thanks for the info. I have a question that my vet is no help on. I was told to find a vet that specifically deals with goats. Lol that’s not going to happen. So I’m wondering if any of you can help me? Is there something I can give my goats as a preventative measure for fleas and ticks? I was thinking along the lines of frontline monthly dose like we give our dogs and cats???? Weight and dosing correct of course. The ticks are bad where we live and I don’t want them to be miserable. Thanks everybody!!!!!
Get guinea fowls or chickens, they eat the ticks
Diatomaceous Earth powder works well on all animals and it’s all natural.
Thank you so much for this explosive information! Im a new goat keeper, i have 6pregnant does, im excited to learn more!!!
Hello!
I just wanted to ask you one question. do you grow your own hay or do you buy it local? I’m thinking about getting goats but I don’t have the things to grow my own alfalfa hay. do you have any suggestions?
Very helpful. Wanted to know the field grazing space. Thank you for the heads up 👍