My Doe Care Plan

How I Will House and Care for My Goats in My Garage

As I prepare for goats again, I’ve been designing a care system that fits my home, my routine, and my homestead goals. My goats will eventually live in my attached garage here in Northern California, and this page explains how I plan to house them, feed them, and manage their daily care. This is the system I will use once the goats arrive.

My focus is on simplicity, cleanliness, and consistency — everything a small homestead dairy herd needs.

⭐ Housing: Goats in My Attached Garage

My goats will be kept in a dedicated section of my garage. This space will be:

  • dry
  • well‑ventilated
  • easy to clean
  • protected from weather
  • close enough for daily care

The garage setup allows me to control odor, bedding, airflow, and cleanliness much more easily than an outdoor shed. It also keeps the goats calm and comfortable year‑round.

I will use deep bedding with daily clean‑outs, and the goats will have access to an outdoor exercise area when weather allows.

⭐ Feeding Plan

My feeding system is simple, clean, and designed for indoor goats. Their diet will be based entirely on pellets, roots, minerals, herbal wormer, and fresh water.

Free‑Choice Pellets

Instead of loose hay, I plan to feed pellets free‑choice, including:

  • alfalfa pellets
  • timothy pellets
  • or a blend of grass pellets

Pellets keep the garage clean, reduce waste, and eliminate hay dust. They also make storage easier and keep the goats’ rumens working steadily throughout the day.

Roots on the Milk Stand

During milking, I will feed:

  • turnips
  • fodder beets
  • mangels
  • potatoes

Roots are clean, nutritious, and easy to store. They also keep the goats focused on the milk stand without relying on grain.

Fresh Water (Right in the Garage)

One of the biggest advantages of my setup is that I have a water source directly in the garage, which makes providing fresh water simple and convenient.

I will:

  • refresh their water at least once a day
  • use clean, easy‑to‑wash buckets
  • keep water accessible at all times

Because the water is already in the garage, keeping their supply fresh will be quick and effortless.

⭐ Minerals & Supplements

I will provide the following free‑choice:

  • Loose goat minerals
  • Baking soda
  • Kelp meal

These support:

  • rumen balance
  • mineral intake
  • coat condition
  • hoof health
  • milk production

Loose minerals are far superior to blocks, and baking soda helps goats regulate their rumen naturally.

⭐ Herbal Worming (Year‑Round)

I plan to use Molly’s Herbal Wormer as part of my regular care routine. The goats will receive their herbal wormer on the milk stand year‑round.

This fits well with my natural, grain‑free feeding system and keeps parasite pressure low in a clean indoor environment. I will still monitor the goats and adjust as needed, but Molly’s will be part of their ongoing routine.

⭐ Milking Routine

I plan to milk twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. My routine will be:

  1. Bring the doe to the milk stand
  2. Offer her roots and Herbal Wormer
  3. Clean the udder
  4. Milk
  5. Strain and chill the milk immediately

Milking twice daily keeps production steady and maintains udder health.

⭐ Herd Management

My goats will live together as a small, calm herd. I plan to:

  • keep a young buckling with the does (using a buck apron)
  • maintain a peaceful environment
  • keep bedding dry
  • clean regularly
  • monitor body condition
  • trim hooves as needed
  • provide herbal wormer on the milk stand

Because the goats will be indoors, I can easily keep their environment clean, dry, and comfortable.

⭐ Health & Cleanliness

I will maintain:

  • regular hoof trimming
  • clean bedding
  • good ventilation
  • routine parasite checks
  • clean water buckets
  • daily observation

Indoor goats stay cleaner, and problems are easier to spot early.

⭐ Final Notes

This page outlines the goat care system I plan to use once my goats arrive. It is designed for a small homestead dairy herd living in an attached garage, with a focus on simplicity, cleanliness, and consistent routine.

By feeding pellets free‑choice, offering roots on the milk stand, supplying minerals and baking soda, providing fresh water once a day right in the garage, using Molly’s Herbal Wormer year‑round, and milking twice a day, I will be able to maintain healthy, productive goats in a controlled environment that fits my home and lifestyle.