Where Should Goats Sleep at Night?
Domestic goats sleep about 5 hours a night and take naps during the day. They prefer to sleep in enclosed barns or shelters on bedding like pine shavings or straw, but they may also sleep outdoors on grass or dirt.
Shelter and Light Needs
- Most goats don’t need shelter at night unless in bad weather or cold conditions.
- Goats do not need light at night unless they are milking goats.
Ideal Sleeping Conditions
- Goats prefer to sleep huddled together if they have a companion.
- They need about 15 square feet of bedded area per goat.
- Goats like to sleep with heads uphill and on raised areas like shelves or bunks.
Should Goats Be Locked Up at Night?
Goats should be locked up at night if they can’t be kept safe from weather, predators, thieves, or other dangers. However, Goats can stay outside at night with proper precautions. They do not necessarily need fancy shelters, as their excellent night vision helps spot predators.
Goats are light sleepers and stay active at night, making it hard to spot them sleeping. Their winter coat provides warmth, and exposing them to cold weather helps the fur work.