As far as dogs, that's a tough question because it really is based on the dog.

As a farm, we personally choose not to have any dogs because we've found that the goats get very stressed with even a very calm small dog since they're not raised around them.

But we have a neighbor with goats who has a very active dog, so we know it's possible.

Just really depends on your dog(s) and making sure they are trained properly to not harass or chase your goats, in order to prevent injury to your goats and/or to your dog from the goat protecting itself.

Before we got our first goats (while we were still in "research mode"), we realized that one of the main issues goat owners had was keeping the goats secured in their pens.  So we decided that it would be worth it to set up our pens as securely as possible right from the start, and since then, we haven't had any escapees!**

Some practices we've established:

1. Panels no larger than 4x4 squares
2. We also strongly suggest to reinforce any kidding pens with 2x4 wire panels to prevent those tiny tots from walking through a 4x4 into a different momma's pen and being rejected from its true dam
3. If needed (if your goats rush you when entering their pen with food, treats, etc), it is also strongly suggested to add a separate panel that you attach to a corner of your pen enclosing the entrance gate, so that you can successfully enter the pen (into a smaller triangle) and able to shut the gate to outside of the pen, before opening the additional panel and then the goats can bum rush you there (since you're securely in the pen with no open gate).

One very helpful resource for us was this post on fencing for mini goats.

In one word: YES.

Goats will stick their heads through anything.

However, it's one thing when a baby goat sticks its head through a fence that it can easily pull it back out of, and it's something else completely when that rascal is unable to pull it out entirely.

It's especially tricky with goat kids while they're growing (along with their horns), in addition to them being super ornery and curious.

One way that we've been able to combat this particular tendency is by reinforcing our 4x4 fencing with 2x4 wires - at least for any pens that goat kids have access to, in addition to building custom hay feeders with 2x4 panels that baby goats can't stick their heads through.

Otherwise, you'll be unpleasantly surprised when you've got to choose to cut your fencing apart in order to get a cute littlehead loose.

#beenthere

We grow our own hay at Shalom Farms.  It's a mixture of grass hay and legumes and our goats actually love it! 

Our home grown hay is actually all that we feed all of our males (bucks and wethers) for their entire life, at least after they've been weaned

Mama's + Kids

While lactating and throughout nursing/milking, our does and kids are supplemented with whole oats, alfalfa hay, alfalfa pellets, and occasionally grain in order to increase their protein/calcium intake during this time.

Great question!

This is something we struggled with in the beginning since we started with minis.

Unfortunately, most of the hay feeder options we found were much too big for grown miniature goats, and virtually impossible for baby goats!

We ended up getting some plans to build a hay feeder and customized them to better suit our nigerian dwarf goats and kids.

On occasion, we do make and sell hay feeders for miniature goats so if you're interested, be sure to contact us for more info!

YES!

We love our goats, and every time we get a new baby goat or even if we pick up a goat from a fellow farmer - we ALWAYS give them a name because they are now part of the farm!

Jeffrey and I both know every single goat by name, and we're pretty sure after a little while they learn their names as well 🥰

Please reach out and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!