Water + Hydration

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING!

As any animal, Goats need ample access to fresh, clean water at all times! We give fresh water at least twice a day and in extreme temperatures will give fresh at least a 3rd time midday.

For 2-4 goats, they probably will not drink all of 2 buckets, but I have at least 2 buckets in with our 2-4 boys in case they spill one or poop in a bucket.

 

BUCKETS

We use 2- Gallon water buckets. Anything larger is harder for Nigerians to drink out of and harder to repeatedly give fresh. We usually use Food Grade buckets from Tractor Supply, but RK or Co-Op will have 2-gallon water buckets too. Our goats prefer light color buckets and we have found pink, light blue, or red to be their favorites but we also have orange and yellow buckets. We do not use navy blue or darker colors as our goats will not drink from them.

 

SUMMER

In the summer and on hot days, we give them plenty of fresh, cold water AT LEASt 2x day to make sure they are staying hydrated.

 

WINTER

In the winter and on colder days, we take them hot tap water (as hot as ours will go which is around 119* F) and this encourages them to drink. Our herd loves warm water, which is great becauses it keeps them hydrated and warmer when it is chilly. It sounds crazy but it really does help them to stay hydrated. Hot tap water keeps the water so much hotter than just a heated bucket that only keeps it from freezing. Our goats will not drink the water they need to be drinking in the winter unless it is hot!