Best practice guide for goat housing

Advice from our specialist20-12-2019

The environment which the goats are living in can make a huge impact on milk yield and quality.

Lighting

Ensure the goat building is light, for safety and goat health and welfare. Lighting can affect the hormonal balances of the goats and have a knock on effect on milk production.

Ventilation

Ensure there is constant air flow around the shed, to remove stale air and dust. This will help avoid respiratory issues occurring.

Feed space

Make sure that there is enough feeding space to prevent bullying or competition. An inappropriate amount of space will lead to less dominant goats eating less and struggling to produce milk. Arranging the goats in size groups can prevent bullying behaviour.

Bedding

Raising the bedding for the goats to comfortably lie on away from dirt and dampness also helps encourage ruminating and reduces mastitis and other bacterial illnesses.

To the parlour

The walk way to and from the parlour should be monitored to guarantee it is safe, clean and dry to eradicate injuries and improve overall feet condition.

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about goat rations, housing or have a general query please speak to your local account manager or call us on 0330 678 0982