Anybody have a link to these plans?

mustrum · #1 01/05/10, 01:49 PM

Hi!

First time posting in the goat forum, but have been lurking and learning for a while.

We'll be getting our first goats, a pair of does in the spring, after kidding, to start milking...one Nubian and one Saanen.

We have never had goats before, but both grew up on farms and have milked cows before, so at least we have some experience with milking...

We have a fairly new Amish-built storage shed that we are going to repurpose to a dedicated milking shed, in order to keep it separate from the barn we are building...I am thinking 20 x 20, in order to have a loose area for the does, an area separate for future kidding, a separate walled off area for bucks/feeder animals, an area for feed and hay storage, etc...

I am looking for ideas, photos, advice on what type/style/size barn to build, along with plans if possible...I do much better with measured drawings and materials lists, but any help or direction would be greatly appreciated...I would really like for folks to draw your ideas and suggestions on paper and let me see them!

I am also looking for plans on a milking stand, and plans for the angled hay manger that I have read about in Storey's dairy goats book...

If anyone can help me I'd really appreciate it! I have looked for actual measured drawings, but have been unable to find any...did a search on here as well with few results...

Joel

**mygoat** · #2 01/05/10, 01:58 PM

Size depends on what you want with your herd. If you start with two goats, you'll soon have 14. That's pretty much the rule with goats - you can't have just a few.

I always say, make housing and pastures as big as you can afford. That leaves room for expansion, keeps it sanitary, and pastures don't graze down as quick (better yet, make 2 or more pastures and rotate them for lowering feed costs and lowering parasite loads!)

Don't forget a separate room for grain storage, equipment, and your milking parlor!

As for milkstand plans, Fiasco Farm has an excellent one that I use.

The hay feeder is also variable... Make them as long as you want and about 3.5' wide at the top and 2' wide at the bottom. Make the bars 6" apart to keep them from sticking their heads through - or just cut up a panel and use it to make an excellent hay feeder. You will want to put a hinged or other sort of lid on the top, and anchor it down somehow - goats will stand in their feeders.

mustrum · #3 01/05/10, 02:16 PM

Hi, and thanks!!

Gonna go to Fias Co site after I finish this reply and check out the plans...

We are going to be using a prebuilt shed dedicated for a milking parlor...it will be kept completely separate from the future (imminent) barn contruction.

Ideally, we will have 2 separate exercise areas for rotating for exactly the reasons you mentioned. However, money dictates that right now plans are for a 50' by 50' outdoor exercise area for the 2 does initially, which will be extended later as funds become available for GOOD FENCING

. There will also be a 30' by 15' exercise area for feeder/meat animals kept separate from the does on the other side of the barn...(think of an L-shape).

I don't anticipate letting the population get out of control, but am building with an eye toward later expansion if needed/wanted

Both of these exercise areas will be (initially, anyway) covered in browse..

mustrum · #4 01/05/10, 04:03 PM

Thanks so much for the link to Fias Co farm...that is EXACTLY what I was looking for!!

I really like that site! And it seems only fair to support it, since it seems a lot of folks use it for reference...

It's not too far from where I live, either.

Just wish there was some way to contact them...After reading their site I'd like to possibly get a Lamancha from them...and it would be convenient being so close...

Anyway, Thanks again for the link to the milkstand plans...

Still looking for the one for a manger that helps prevent wasted hay...

Also, any drawings or floor plans for barn layout would be appreciated!

Joel

**mygoat** · #5 01/05/10, 04:42 PM

Unfortuantely, Fiasco Farm decided to sell out of their herd a while back, I can't recall the reason. I didn't agree with their methods sometimes (ALL natural, dam raising all kids, their animals sold on CONTRACTS for no meat use for them OR any kids they produce which, IMO, is silly) but they have a wonderful reference website! And each person is welcome to manage their herd as they see fit...

HappyFarmer · #6 01/05/10, 06:13 PM

Now, now there is absolutely nothing wrong with dam raised kids if you keep a clean herd, by means of testing & time proven cleanliness for the major disease issues. I wouldn't discount a breeder for dam raised kids if they could show me solid proof of whole herd disease testing results for 5+ years running.
HF

**mygoat** · #7 01/05/10, 08:01 PM

I don't think fiasco farm tested... If they did, I'd be more inclined to buy. I never read anything about disease testing on their farm that I can recall. I could be wrong - I only used their site as a reference occasionally and never browsed their site looking to buy.

I dam raise my miniature meat goats and often get perfectly tame dam raised kids. My mini meats are never expected to be milkers, though.

I prefer dairy bottle babies, and pulling kids at birth. Disease prevention, All kids are tame, kids can leave farm earlier (less taxing on my milk supply), bottle raised does are tamer on milkstand/easier to work with, I can keep accurate milk records, no risk of udder damage/lopsidedness, etc... but it's personal opinion. If dam raising works for you, that's fine. I'm not saying I wouldn't buy a dam raised kid from a tested, clean herd - I just prefer bottle raised.

HappyFarmer · #8 01/06/10, 04:45 AM

I like bottle babies too, though don't do it unless I have to (rejection or similar, we test). I just wanted to make a point with our new member that dam raised by itself isn't a reason to reject buying from a breeder. (Where's that smilie?). I also agree some of those contracts are a bit over the top, too.

No plans here. I'm lucky my dad can create building or shed off the top of his head, figuring it out as he goes. I just tell him what I want & he builds it. If your in Amish country maybe someone local will have something or maybe even they would build it for you. I hear they do nice work.

HF

betsy h. · #9 01/06/10, 11:00 AM

Mustrum, where are you? I live near Gatlinburg.....

mustrum · #10 01/06/10, 06:46 PM

betsy - I pm'd you...Thanks!