By Umar Nsubuga
Charles Kigozi, a resident of Kiryagonja in Wakiso wants to build a house where his goats can sleep. He asks about the height and the ventilation system he can apply.
Peter Mubiru, a veterinary doctor says goats should be free on pasture as much as possible, but they need shelter at night.
He says the building should be just high enough for the goat keeper to stand upright when inside.
“Bricks are ok for the wall, however, they should not cover the entire height of the wall. The upper half of the wall should be made of wire mesh or reeds to allow free flow of air. If bricks are too expensive, you can use earth or timber offcuts. The floor can be concrete, wooden or compacted soil, as long as it can be easily cleaned,” he says.
Phoebe Kagambe, a goat farmer says to make raised platforms for goats to sleep on, there should be enough floor space to allow goats to exercise because they like playing.
She says a room measuring seven by five metres should take not more than 50 adult goats.
“Scatter locally available materials on the floor like sawdust, wood shavings, rice husks or dry grass for the goats to sleep on,” she advises.
The roof may be iron sheets grass or papyrus. Whatever, material you use should be leak-proof. Since iron sheets transmit much of the sun’s heat into the room, it is good to insulate it with grass or leaves, she adds.
Just in front of the goat house, fence off an exercise yard, especially in the morning before the goats go out to graze.
