How many ND's for this amount of area?

[Caelma]

I have one 40 x 40 and 2- 40 x 50 areas.
All three with shelters.
What would be a comfortable number of ND's
for each section?
Yes I plan on haying.
I also plan on making 2 ot 3 more of the same areas for rotation.

I was thinking 4 or 5 in each area. Is that to many per 40 x 40 and 40 x 50 areas?

And for bucks I have 15 x 40 ft areas for each one with a spare area for rotation. Is this to small an area in ones opinion?

[Laura Workman]

I had two ND does and an Oberhasli in a 30 by 60 foot area for a number of years. Sometimes they all had kids. That was about the right stocking rate. I don't think the ground would have liked more animals on it.

[Caelma]

That sounds pretty decent
Your 30 x 60 is 1800 sq ft and my 40 x 40 is 1600 sq ft.
So almost close. So you have 3 full time with occational kids by their sides.
I can cut some black berry bushes back and make them 50 x 50 maybe 40 x 60. Maybe 5 would be ok till they kid next spring and them drop each area to 3 does. And I'll be rotating pens monthly so each lot will get a month break every other month. Thank you Laura for the input.

[chma4]

The NDGA recomends 200sq ft per head of Nigerian. So I would not put more than 8 head in a 40x40 pen. However, I personally would stick with half that for a comfortable number. I like 400sqft per head, and that leaves room for kids! The more room they have, the less likely they would be to try to escape also. GOOD LUCK!

[Caelma]

cool then I'm in the guidelines cause I was only wanting to put 5 in each area.
Until they're older and kidding then drop it to 3.

[Laura Workman]

Please keep in mind that my stocking rate was for goats who did not browse. All of their food was brought in by me. If you want your goats to browse for any part of their diet, they'll need more room.