I didn't realize how much was involved in keeping goats, until the first couple of issues started arising. We've gathered some basic information and posted it here.
A DAY IN THE LIFE ON OUR LITTLE GOAT FARM
Morning
1. Every morning, the goats pelleted feed is set out at their feed stations before the does are released from their night pen. The impatient does are then released and run to their feed. I keep an eye on them to make sure everyone is eating.
2. Water buckets are freshened up.
3. Hay feeders are filled. The hay feeders in the night pen are filled, ready for that night, because I have more time in the mornings to get that done.
4. The night pen is cleaned, because I don't have time in the afternoons. In winter, we simply use straw (or more usually the hay that gets wasted) to cover large piles of poop or areas that look dirty. In summer, we remove soiled areas and put down some fresh. Every few days the walk out area outside their stall is raked and dirty stuff removed. We operate with the view that if the floor of the night stall is too dirty for us to sit on, then it's too dirty. (Cleanliness is the best form of coccidia prevention)
5. The boys' sleeping quanset is cleaned the same way.
6. Goats are given their supplements or meds at this time, if necessary.
7. I give out love and scratches, and at the same time, try to check a few goats' FAMACHA. Mama goats are checked for udder health etc and babies are played with!
8. If we have cut some branches for them to forage, we now bring those into the pasture for them.
Afternoon/Evening
The does are moved into the house yard while the evening chores are done, so they don't bully me for their feed.
1. The bucks' hay feeders are refilled.
2. Water buckets are once again freshened up and filled.
3. The goats are given their pelleted feed ration.
4. The does are released back into the pasture and run to their feed stations. They may then feed from the round bale feeder until it begins to get dark.
5. As night falls and the goats head to their night pen, the night pen is secured so they're safe from predators.